Hope Is The Thing

We went last night to the Relay for Life event at the Fairgrounds. It had been a few years since we went to this, but we had such a good time last time and we had nothing going on so we decided why not go check out the fun.

Our Relay for Life event is really amazing. It's the only one I've ever been to, and it's like this incredible festival on steroids. People are singing, and dancing, and celebrating. There are games and gifts and just this undefinable JOY in the air. You see hugs, you see tears, you see people walking around in silly costumes and just exuding their happiness and giving it out to others freely.

What I learned last night is this, while the mood at these events is probably all about the same, I'm not wrong in feeling WONDER at the size and scope of ours. Why? Because...

This thing is the largest in the world. That rather explains A LOT.

What makes it really wonderful is how all of the booths have activities, little games and things for the kids who are too small to understand the "bigger" meaning of the event, but these things still create a positive association for the event that I think is important.

We didn't scratch the surface on the activities that were available to do, for sure. But we are many and it's hard to wrangle us through stuff so I think we did ok.

There were clowns to meet and even Chopper was there, our old friend from the Braves games.

We had some BBQ and hot dogs under a tent with Chinese lanterns and enjoyed the warm southern evening as night fell. It was al fresco tent dining at it's finest.

Yes Charlie is in love with that Coke.

It's such a juxtaposition, to be surrounded by all the luminaries in memory of those who died from the various kinds of cancer but to feel so much happiness. Maybe that's really the point of Relay for Life. It's not just here to remind us to celebrate the lives of those who didn't make it or who are still struggling with cancer, it's also to remind us to celebrate ALL of our lives. Celebrate even on the days that seem crappy. Celebrate when things aren't going the way you want.

I heard someone say, recently, upon hearing that I had four children "Oh - you are so rich." Julia echoed it as we ate our dinner, "We're rich." She was saying this because we had both coke AND cookies with our dinner I think. 

The truth is, we are. We're SO rich. We're filthy rich. We will never have all the money or all the things or the best house or the best car.  But I don't really care about any of that. What I have is the most important stuff in the whole world. 

I woke up today feeling tired and achy and I'd like a nap, on the beach preferably. But since that isn't happening I should also note that I woke up happy, and in love with my family. Life is really good. I feel like I soaked up so much good energy at Relay For Life that I'm good for a long time.

Hope floats. Always.

Hope Is The Thing

We went last night to the Relay for Life event at the Fairgrounds. It had been a few years since we went to this, but we had such a good time last time and we had nothing going on so we decided why not go check out the fun.

Our Relay for Life event is really amazing. It's the only one I've ever been to, and it's like this incredible festival on steroids. People are singing, and dancing, and celebrating. There are games and gifts and just this undefinable JOY in the air. You see hugs, you see tears, you see people walking around in silly costumes and just exuding their happiness and giving it out to others freely.

What I learned last night is this, while the mood at these events is probably all about the same, I'm not wrong in feeling WONDER at the size and scope of ours. Why? Because...

This thing is the largest in the world. That rather explains A LOT.

What makes it really wonderful is how all of the booths have activities, little games and things for the kids who are too small to understand the "bigger" meaning of the event, but these things still create a positive association for the event that I think is important.

We didn't scratch the surface on the activities that were available to do, for sure. But we are many and it's hard to wrangle us through stuff so I think we did ok.

There were clowns to meet and even Chopper was there, our old friend from the Braves games.

We had some BBQ and hot dogs under a tent with Chinese lanterns and enjoyed the warm southern evening as night fell. It was al fresco tent dining at it's finest.

Yes Charlie is in love with that Coke.

It's such a juxtaposition, to be surrounded by all the luminaries in memory of those who died from the various kinds of cancer but to feel so much happiness. Maybe that's really the point of Relay for Life. It's not just here to remind us to celebrate the lives of those who didn't make it or who are still struggling with cancer, it's also to remind us to celebrate ALL of our lives. Celebrate even on the days that seem crappy. Celebrate when things aren't going the way you want.

I heard someone say, recently, upon hearing that I had four children "Oh - you are so rich." Julia echoed it as we ate our dinner, "We're rich." She was saying this because we had both coke AND cookies with our dinner I think. 

The truth is, we are. We're SO rich. We're filthy rich. We will never have all the money or all the things or the best house or the best car.  But I don't really care about any of that. What I have is the most important stuff in the whole world. 

I woke up today feeling tired and achy and I'd like a nap, on the beach preferably. But since that isn't happening I should also note that I woke up happy, and in love with my family. Life is really good. I feel like I soaked up so much good energy at Relay For Life that I'm good for a long time.

Hope floats. Always.

We Accidentally Went To Relay For Life

The oldest boy had shared that his school was doing some fundraiser event at the fairgrounds. Being absent minded parents of four, we decided we'd go and be supportive yadda yadda. He kept saying there would be "family activities" and stuff like that. We were mostly thinking bounce houses and the like.

What we stumbled into, was RELAY FOR LIFE.

Yeaaaaaaah, his school's RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM had a campsite and the announcement was to invite everyone to come out and be supportive.

So, as we wandered into the throngs of literally thousands and thousands and thousands of people....I was honestly totally fucking amazed. It took us a while to get our bearings. There are hundreds of "campsites" where each team has a base and they're usually selling something to also help raise money, or giving stuff away. The place is full of people singing, and dancing, and laughing.

There were even people dressed up like KISS.

It was one of the most bizarre things I've ever attended. I really loved it.
There were tons of high schools there, all walking and while we were there they had a DJ leading a few thousand teenagers through various dances.
I learned that despite the ridicule that I've heard, teenagers will dance and sing gleefully to Justin Bieber. I had no idea he was actually popular but these kids were having a fantastic time.

When it came time to eat - there was really only one choice - the FRIG-N BBQ obviously.

It wasn't anything like I expected, Relay for Life. I don't know what I expected. I've done the Race for the Cure several times in several states, it's always sort of the same. You walk, you get a coffee, you go out for breakfast after. I am sure some people run. I don't know any of those people.
This was more like, a feast and a party all in one. Everyone was welcome. I'm not sure I've been to such an exuberant, and joy filled event in a long time. Despite the seriousness, despite the sad nature of what the event is there about - it was about life and celebrating it. Whomever puts it on has done it right.

It was fairly amazing.

I explained to my oldest boy what the luminaries were for - in memory of those who have died, or in honor of survivors and he pauses, looking at so many all lit against the night sky.
"That's a lot of people with cancer," he remarked.
Yeah. Yeah it is.

I saw a family, a dad and three sons, pause to take a picture with a luminary.
It was the mom of the family, now gone from their lives. "Smile with mom's candle," the dad said. And they did.

I didn't say anything, my kids were being nutty, it was the end of the night. But I watched it quietly, this amazingly sad moment, a moment I can't even FATHOM. Then dad handed one boy the bag of cotton candy and they bounced off to do something fun.

The lesson there is that life goes on.

Enjoy it. And make it count.

We Accidentally Went To Relay For Life

The oldest boy had shared that his school was doing some fundraiser event at the fairgrounds. Being absent minded parents of four, we decided we'd go and be supportive yadda yadda. He kept saying there would be "family activities" and stuff like that. We were mostly thinking bounce houses and the like.

What we stumbled into, was RELAY FOR LIFE.

Yeaaaaaaah, his school's RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM had a campsite and the announcement was to invite everyone to come out and be supportive.

So, as we wandered into the throngs of literally thousands and thousands and thousands of people....I was honestly totally fucking amazed. It took us a while to get our bearings. There are hundreds of "campsites" where each team has a base and they're usually selling something to also help raise money, or giving stuff away. The place is full of people singing, and dancing, and laughing.

There were even people dressed up like KISS.

It was one of the most bizarre things I've ever attended. I really loved it.
There were tons of high schools there, all walking and while we were there they had a DJ leading a few thousand teenagers through various dances.
I learned that despite the ridicule that I've heard, teenagers will dance and sing gleefully to Justin Bieber. I had no idea he was actually popular but these kids were having a fantastic time.

When it came time to eat - there was really only one choice - the FRIG-N BBQ obviously.

It wasn't anything like I expected, Relay for Life. I don't know what I expected. I've done the Race for the Cure several times in several states, it's always sort of the same. You walk, you get a coffee, you go out for breakfast after. I am sure some people run. I don't know any of those people.
This was more like, a feast and a party all in one. Everyone was welcome. I'm not sure I've been to such an exuberant, and joy filled event in a long time. Despite the seriousness, despite the sad nature of what the event is there about - it was about life and celebrating it. Whomever puts it on has done it right.

It was fairly amazing.

I explained to my oldest boy what the luminaries were for - in memory of those who have died, or in honor of survivors and he pauses, looking at so many all lit against the night sky.
"That's a lot of people with cancer," he remarked.
Yeah. Yeah it is.

I saw a family, a dad and three sons, pause to take a picture with a luminary.
It was the mom of the family, now gone from their lives. "Smile with mom's candle," the dad said. And they did.

I didn't say anything, my kids were being nutty, it was the end of the night. But I watched it quietly, this amazingly sad moment, a moment I can't even FATHOM. Then dad handed one boy the bag of cotton candy and they bounced off to do something fun.

The lesson there is that life goes on.

Enjoy it. And make it count.