Relay for Life 2008

Relay for Life…WOW. That is really all that can be said about this year’s Relay. Yet I continue to type.

With over 75 teams and over 2000 people walking, WOW! At the beginning there was set up. Teams helping other teams get tents erected and tables set up. The laughter and the energy were amazing. As teams got finished setting up and grill got started and food began to cook, you could not walk around with out being invited for a burger here or a hot dog there. For a time the Beach was filled with one HUGE family all there to support and honor others.

Then came time for the opening ceremonies and the survivor walk, an extremely emotional time for most. As the walk began, the applause started and continued for the entire lap. This photographer saw some who started the walk with dry eyes, wiping away tears as the lap came to an end. With huge smiles and hugs for all this was a time for the emotional mending that so many needed at this time in their life. More then once I heard,

“I thought I was all alone” and “this is the best therapy to know we have this kind of support”.

On to the team lap. Each company or family or group that was there lined up for team photos and the first lap to start off the official walking time. The teams were full of joy and laughter, emotion and smiles, character and silliness. They all knew the serious reason for attending but could not help and enjoy the fact that so many on their teams with cancer were walking beside them.

After the team walk the night began. Everyone scheduled to walk for one hour. Made for a long night for some. There was camping and campfires and the encouragement coming from those camps for those walking at the wee hours of the morning.

Sunup and a relief from the cold ( BRRRRRRRRRRR) Not to mention Breakfast. Everyone cooking and again everyone sharing, the bands began to play… those with energy began to dance. Trust me there were not A LOT of dancers. We watched thinking “How the heck do they have the energy for that”

Finally the closing ceremonies, which I am sorry to say this tuckered out photographer missed ( it was cold I was tired, was running on 1 ½ hours sleep in 30 hour things were getting rough)

OK I have been told we do not need a novel here so to close I will say WOW once again. If you have never been you need to check it out… and bring a hankie, your gonna need it
Opening Ceremonies
Night Walk
Morning Walk
Relay for life Official Website
Friday setup
The Teams for Life
Second Camera
Friday setup
Ceremony walk
Teams for Life
Photos

Opening Walk

The Teams

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas