This post is about a relay, though not an Olympic one. This is the seventh year my family has participated in Relay for Life. As an emotional person I try not to take Relay too seriously because it can quickly become a sob fest. There are moments of sadness throughout the night but it is more of a celebration after all our shirts always say: "Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back." This year we were to pick a "team song" and as can be expected some teams pick the most depressing songs they can find. We prefer a much more appropriate Relay song, Fat Bottomed Girls. In fact, here we are now....
For those who don't know, Relay for Life is an all night event. You have a team and you are supposed to walk all night (not the whole team just 1 or 2 at a time). Bruce's Bunch (as we are called) takes pride in the fact that we always stay all night (unless it rains and the event must be cancelled as has been the case 2 of the 6 years), most groups do not. I've never really understood the problem, it's once a year and if my 70 year old grandmother can do it, really what's your excuse? It is supposed to represent the battle a cancer patient faces. This year was my favorite so far. It was the first year we Relayed inside so no weather worries and it never got dark so you didn't get sleepy at all (yeah right).
Folk Soul Revival played near the very beginning and by the time I flat-footed to all of their songs my feet were already sore. I was in for a long night. My pinky toes were a very strange color at 3:00 in the morning.
There was also a duct tape fashion show starring my lovely sister.
Molly and her clothing designers: Deeb and Anjee. They will be making their debut on Project Runway next season.
There was also a frozen t-shirt contest which for some reason we allowed our most crippled team members to take part in. My mother's thumbs don't function and my brother just screamed like a little girl the whole time. Ergo, another loss. However, my aunt Bobbie (the other team member) spent the rest of the night practicing so she'll be ready next year.
Drew and Bryce won the scavenger hunt (maybe because it was meant for children and Drew was easily 12 years older than all of the other contestants). We did the twist, the cupid shuffle, the electric slide, flat footed, ate really fattening food. And oh yeah, between all of the teams there we raised over $20,000 that night. Amazing. (I believe I heard correctly that for this year Wise County raised over $100,000).
It's always like a little family reunion because so much of our family travels to Wise County for it and what better way to get together than to raise money for such a great cause and have a blast while doing it?
Why I Relay:
Four of my aunts (three of them blood related) and one of my cousins have all fought the battle against breast cancer and won. I have often, selfishly, found myself wondering when it will be someone elses turn. But I know why God has put this on us, because we can handle it. We are a tough crew. And although we were at Relay in body, in spirit we were all in Utah with my cousin who was in a serious car accident last week. Although we had a great time together it was evident, the heavy hearts we were carrying. I ask all of my followers to please pray for my cousin Tina and my uncle and aunt Steve and Judy. They have a long road ahead but again, God knows just how tough they are and I can't wait until we are all together again to celebrate her recovery.
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