Today, I would like to share with you a very special experience that ties in with the opening of my newsletter above.
Last Saturday, I was the guest speaker at one of the 'Relay for Life' events of the American Cancer Society. Eventhough I was to speak during the banquet, I made it a point to be there for the opening ceremony. I wanted to be a part of the whole experience.
Rev. Palmer Allen - the singing EMT - sang the American Anthem. I got goosebumps ('chicken skin' as we say in Switzerland). Yes, I admit it - teary eyes, too! A combination of Palmer's voice, the fact that I was surrounded of heroes and the pride and gratitude of being American.
I couldn't find the American Anthem, but I found Palmer Allen's 'Amazing Grace'. To listen to it, click on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/user/PKAEMT218#p/a/u/0/RHoHEbTVyY8
Later, Linda and her husband Larry did take the stage and told us about their journey of surviving 3 times breast cancer. Linda, the survivor, a funny and energetic woman used quite some humor to tell her story, and how she won her battle 3 times against breast cancer. Her husband Larry told the story from the view of a caregiver, and I couldn't help it but feel a lot of admiration for the two, who united and filled with so much love, lead each other through this difficult journey.
Finally, everybody got ready for their walk for the cure. First the survivors, then the caregivers and family members, and then the volunteers and supporters. My neighbors - the Embrey Family - gave me the honor to walk with the Lake Anna Rescue Squad. Thank you, Embrey Family!
The rest of the morning, everybody enjoyed themselves being a part of all the fun activities.
I was the guest speaker during the banquet. My speech was about celebrating the heroes. Today, it was about the survivors, caregivers and the volunteers. We celebrate heroes every day. The NYC fire department who rescued the survivors of 9/11. An 11-year old girl in Oregon who rescues her family from drowning in a flash flood, etc.
But how many times do we think about survivors of a disease, their caregivers/family and volunteers?
I made it a point to celebrate and honor them today. I also encouraged them to share with each other what helped them survive, take care of the survivor, or what inspired them to be a volunteer. I strongly believe that we should share this kind of thoughts more often with each other to make each other aware that all three parties are a part of the journey.
Another thought I brought up was the each of the 3 groups gives a gift. The caregiver gives the gift of love and care. The volunteer gives the time, patience and care. The survivor gives the gift to others to feel needed, and the opportunity to help, care and love...
It was an emotional sharing...
The afternoon was filled with laughter, entertainment and story sharing...
9pm Luminaria!
The Luminaria Ceremony is the opportunity for people to come together to remember loved ones lost to cancer and honor those who have won their battle. This is one of the most moving parts of the event.
I estimate that there were a few thousand of candles around the track, and the word 'HOPE' formed out of candles, that were the only lights during our march around the track. What a powerful moment!
Many of the people would continue marching til 9am to support the search for a cure. What a dedication!
The thoughts I would like you to take away from today's article is that it is important to celebrate our heroes! You don't have to be a fireman who rescues 9/11 survivors or a girl that rescues her family from a flash flood to be a hero.
Maybe, you take care of an elder parent?
Maybe, you take care of a handicapped child/adult?
Maybe, you stand up for somebody's rights?
Maybe, you donate a kidney to a transplant patient?
Maybe, you are successfully dealing with diabetes?
You are a Hero - I salute YOU!
Rev. Palmer Allen - the singing EMT - sang the American Anthem. I got goosebumps ('chicken skin' as we say in Switzerland). Yes, I admit it - teary eyes, too! A combination of Palmer's voice, the fact that I was surrounded of heroes and the pride and gratitude of being American.
I couldn't find the American Anthem, but I found Palmer Allen's 'Amazing Grace'. To listen to it, click on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/user/PKAEMT218#p/a/u/0/RHoHEbTVyY8
Later, Linda and her husband Larry did take the stage and told us about their journey of surviving 3 times breast cancer. Linda, the survivor, a funny and energetic woman used quite some humor to tell her story, and how she won her battle 3 times against breast cancer. Her husband Larry told the story from the view of a caregiver, and I couldn't help it but feel a lot of admiration for the two, who united and filled with so much love, lead each other through this difficult journey.
Finally, everybody got ready for their walk for the cure. First the survivors, then the caregivers and family members, and then the volunteers and supporters. My neighbors - the Embrey Family - gave me the honor to walk with the Lake Anna Rescue Squad. Thank you, Embrey Family!
The rest of the morning, everybody enjoyed themselves being a part of all the fun activities.
I was the guest speaker during the banquet. My speech was about celebrating the heroes. Today, it was about the survivors, caregivers and the volunteers. We celebrate heroes every day. The NYC fire department who rescued the survivors of 9/11. An 11-year old girl in Oregon who rescues her family from drowning in a flash flood, etc.
But how many times do we think about survivors of a disease, their caregivers/family and volunteers?
I made it a point to celebrate and honor them today. I also encouraged them to share with each other what helped them survive, take care of the survivor, or what inspired them to be a volunteer. I strongly believe that we should share this kind of thoughts more often with each other to make each other aware that all three parties are a part of the journey.
Another thought I brought up was the each of the 3 groups gives a gift. The caregiver gives the gift of love and care. The volunteer gives the time, patience and care. The survivor gives the gift to others to feel needed, and the opportunity to help, care and love...
It was an emotional sharing...
The afternoon was filled with laughter, entertainment and story sharing...
9pm Luminaria!
The Luminaria Ceremony is the opportunity for people to come together to remember loved ones lost to cancer and honor those who have won their battle. This is one of the most moving parts of the event.
I estimate that there were a few thousand of candles around the track, and the word 'HOPE' formed out of candles, that were the only lights during our march around the track. What a powerful moment!
Many of the people would continue marching til 9am to support the search for a cure. What a dedication!
The thoughts I would like you to take away from today's article is that it is important to celebrate our heroes! You don't have to be a fireman who rescues 9/11 survivors or a girl that rescues her family from a flash flood to be a hero.
Maybe, you take care of an elder parent?
Maybe, you take care of a handicapped child/adult?
Maybe, you stand up for somebody's rights?
Maybe, you donate a kidney to a transplant patient?
Maybe, you are successfully dealing with diabetes?
You are a Hero - I salute YOU!
Please share your personal stories below! Thank you!
