Saturday, July 21, 2007

Running for Life

And someday if they tell you about it
If the darkness knocks on your door
Remember her remember me
We will be running as we have before
Running for answers
Running for more

- Melissa Etheridge


I have always been a supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness. I wear a really cool BCA blinkie in my email's signature line that looks something like this,
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I have some really comfy pink ribbon shoes that I wear to births.
I've purchased pink measuring cups & spoons as well as a "Pink Plaid" cookbook so I can Cook for the Cure.
Last year I put together a team for my local Birth Network to walk/run in the Komen Race for the Cure.
Over the years I have known friends and other families whose lives have been affected by this disease. This year it hits much closer to home.
A few weeks ago I found out that my aunt, who is more like my sister, has breast cancer. None of my advocating for awareness, having pink ribbons painted on my toenails, drinking out of pink ribbon water bottles, wearing pink ribbon jewelry, not even eating the pink M&Ms prepared me for how it felt to get that news.
I can't think of the right word to describe the feeling. The best I can come up with is "heavy". It's a lot more intense than when my friend had breast cancer. It's even more intense than when a good friend of the family's mother died from it. It feels a lot more personal.
When my aunt told me I immediately started thinking, "Oh my goodness, I need to take care of her!" My favorite way to take care of people, other than supporting them in labor, is feeding them. I started thinking up all these healthy menus, full of cancer fighting foods. I even promised to be her personal chef. The only problem is that she lives almost an hour away and as Hubby gently pointed out, I'm barely cooking meals for my family of 6 (It's just too dang hot!).
I'm still trying to figure out how I can get her to eat better. She has always eaten like crap (and still manages to be super skinny, I think I hate her) and she is preparing to take the bar by studying every waking hour(she graduated from law school a couple of months ago) which doesn't leave much time for meal preparation or eating.
My other reaction to this news feels a bit selfish. I can't help but think that now that there's breast cancer in the family my mother and I are in the "higher risk" category. I'm going to have to pay closer attention to taking care of myself (and getting my mother to take better care of herself).
My aunt has a big fight ahead of her and I'm going to do my best to support her. I am also going to continue supporting companies and organizations that are committed to fighting this disease.
Our Birth Network has a team again for this year's race. Last year we had 24 members. This year I hope to have at least 50. We've also set a goal of raising at least $1500.
There's been a lot of talk in blogland about doing the Couch to 5K program. I started a couple of weeks ago to get ready for this year's race. Find out if your area has a race coming up and sign up. This is an excellent way to get yourself moving and help out a great cause. I hope lots of you sign up for the race, donate some $$$, or click on some of the links I've posted so you can purchase something that gives back to the cause.

Monday, July 2, 2007

A Lot Like Singing in the Shower

The other day we were in the van on our 90 minute car ride home from my MIL's house. We were blasting the Dreamgirls soundtrack (after jammin' to Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, and KC & the Sunshine Band). All of a sudden Girl Thing says, "I sing really good in my head, just not out loud."