Surviving Relay!

What a night we had!! It was warm when we first arrived to start setting up (around 11:oo AM). Warm..and sunny. As things started to take shape and the campsites were set up, it started to get overcast. As family and friends arrived, things were pretty nice. We greeted them, sold a few stray cookies and then went to have our team photo taken. After that, we went to the stadium for the opening ceremony. Very touching - some young girls danced to the Melissa Ethridge song (the name of which I don't know for sure) about "why I walk". Made me teary eyed. Then Will's Mom talked (Will is a 4 year old who has leukemia and his family formed a team). Touching as well. Then the suvivors took the field and released the balloons that people had purchased to dedicate and send to heaven. The teams returned to their sites and then the survivors (including my sister Trish and my uncle Bernard) did the opening lap. My sister Sandy was there, but not able to walk it. That was touching. After their lap, all the teams did their first lap together. That was fun. We had "We Are Family" blaring from a CD player as we did our lap!

A couple hours later, the sky turned ugly! The organizers came around and suggested that we bring in the luminaries in case of rain. Later they came by and said we must get into cars or shelters. So we packed up just about everything and took cover. All of us were in different cars. And then the storm came. Wind. Rain. Thunder. Lightning. Tent roofs caving in or blowing off. LOTS and LOTS of rain. Sat in the cars for about an hour. But, the show must go on and so soon after the rain ended, the tents slowly came back together and the walkers resumed walking. And then it got cold...reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal cold! The kind that goes right through you! I made a few trips to the car to warm up.

I managed to do about 6 laps I think. I didn't count. And they weren't all at one time. My niece, Valerie, did 36 laps (which is amazing). All in all, we had fun. Didn't sell as many cookies as we had hoped for, but we'll do something with them (more Farmer's Markets?) to get more money for ACS.

After we took down the campsite around 5:30 AM, I went to my sister's for a power nap (from about 6:00-9:45). Then I went off to Litchfield (about an hour away) for lunch with my friend Terry and his wife Cathy. That was also uplifting - to see a guy who was told he has 6 months to live -- and he outlived that and is living life to the fullest. Recently returned from a trip to France. Just bought a new car. Just bought a new flat screen 42" TV (for football season of course). Has a trip to Egypt planned for November. Bought season tickets to the Gopher football and women's basketball games. Makes you think YOU need to start living like you intend to stay around!! Wonderful time.

Last night I went to church to read the Lesson and help with sound/lights. After that, had a few phone calls with family and went to bed around 10:30. And slept for 11 hours. Yes, 11 hours. I feel great today (although the legs are a little sore). And the best part is I have NO plans for today, and have tomorrow off with NO plans. Just playing it by ear and enjoying life!!