Relay for Life

So Saturday and Sunday were the annual Relay for Life. We have been participating since 2000, about 7 months after Kyla was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. She had lost her hair about 2 months before and was wearing a bonnet to cover her fuzzy little scalp. Each year since then we have been present for the Survivor Lap that kicks off the event. I remember walking around the track at that first event. I held Kyla's hand.... and she squeezed mine tight and looked at the ground the whole time. I remember the cheering people lining the track and the jets flying over..... the balloons and the flowers and the ache in my heart as I looked around at all the adults walking with us..... all adults... mostly middle aged or older... no other children like my precious little 6 year old... no other mothers who understood my plight.

But now, 6 years later, the experience was quite different. Kyla complained about the t-shirt.... It was not in style at all... Did she really have to wear it? I stood on the edge of the track and cheered and clapped while she walked with her friends.... completely nonchalant.... like being a 12 year old cancer survivor was no big deal. The only part of the day that she was enthused about was the costume lap. The whole theme was "Carnival" and our booth was "Gypsy visions for a Cure"... so everyone dressed up as gypsies. I created this page (sorry for the wonky scan..) as a challenge to scrap the last pictures I had developed (www.thescrapbooksite.com) . Here is what the journaling says:

April 29, 2006
The annual Relay for Life
It was really nice to have Kaylee and Annika along for our day....
You were embarrassed to be a part of the Survivor's Lap.....
You thought the Survivor's t-shirt was odd and unfashionable.....
You went around to all the booths.....
You participated in the cake walk....
You did an obstacle course with Kaylee....
The HIGHLIGHT of your day was dressing up like a gypsy for the Costume Lap....

By the way, isn't she beautiful?

Thanks for Looking! :) N