Brinley and I ran in our first Race For The Cure this year. Every year, I think about doing it...then I don't. I don't know why really, except that I haven't felt ready... and, I guess, there's a part of me that wants to distance myself from cancer. This year my friend, Alyse, organized a group, which motivated me go for it. It was fun. And strange. And emotional. Actually, it's hard to explain, except to say that I had a lump in my throat all morning.
I lost a friend to cancer last year (I ran in memory of her), another has been battling all year, and yet another friend was just diagnosed, so running this race had special meaning this year. There were so many people there, lots of survivors.
Sometimes, I wish I could just forget about cancer -- I hate it so much. But, running this race, with my amazing daughter (who had the names of my mother, sister and friend on her back), strong and healthy...well, it was quite an experience.
I was reminded that I am a lucky girl.