Back again. It's time to share the story of what yesterday's Angel Walk meant.
Anyone ever feel like reliving an event brings you closer to it than when you were actually experiencing it? That is the feeling I have today when I think about yesterday's event. It was such a beautiful day with so many happy people who just wanted to make a difference, and the atmosphere was so casual and relaxing that it was hours afterwards when I really connected with the emotions that the morning created.
Janet, Jenna, Anthony (who is Jenna's 3 month old son), and myself enjoyed some of the food and beverages that were offered to all participants shortly after arriving. I didn't realize how much we would have to choose from! I definitely should have skipped the bowl of cereal and taken more advantage of the bagels, the donuts, the fruit, the coffee, the juice, and the granola bars! OK, I did have a cup of Peaberry Coffee, and half a Panera Bread bagel, and Jenna and Janet helped themselves to some donuts and juice. So I guess we didn't let the food go to waste, but I'll remember next year that breakfast will be served!
Before the walk began we just lingered around the tents set up, listened to the band that was playing, and fueled up. When it was time to head out all 492 participants began gathering at the starting point, and off we went.
Our conversations started with some overdue updates on things happening in our personal lives, but it 
did not take long for them to be all about Leigh. When was the first time we each had been introduced to her? How had each of our relationships developed with her over the years? What were our funniest and most memorable memories of her? Where were those pictures of that one time.....and on and on. I have no idea how long we actually talked about Leigh because we did talk about a few other things too, but mostly as they related to stories about Leigh, or Chris and how he was doing.
We walked, we talked, and we shared. We remembered finding out about Leigh's brain tumor. We remembered finding out that it was indeed cancer. We remembered funny stories about Leigh before and after that moment. We laughed at how she just really didn't care what anyone else thought. She did what she wanted, and if you didn't like it that was your problem. And then we were done.
It was a 5k that went by so quickly we felt like we could do it all over again! It wasn't just the feeling of doing something wonderful for the people who are still fighting brain tumors, or the great memories that were shared about Leigh, but it was the company that surrounded me. The family that adopted me into theirs even before I was truly the daughter-in-law, or the sister-in-law. The people who experienced the ups and downs of the years with Leigh when we pulled together to support her. The people who I know will be there for whatever the future brings, and who will continue to make a difference because of our experiences. That is not to say there aren't many others who would do the same; it's just to say yesterday's event meant more because of who I shared it with.
Let's not forget what is truly important in life. Hold those who matter most close to your heart, and let them know they are there. With so much going on in this busy world why not take a day, a week, a month, a year, or forever, to cherish what really matters.
Hug someone today longer than you normally would.
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