Dear Friends,

“Go, go, go! Move! We have to get 1000 bags around this track by 10:00! GO!” This was probably the most frequent command coming out of my mouth during the stressful hours before the Luminaria Ceremony at Relay for Life this year.

Planning for this 18-hour event goes on almost all year, every month except for the summer months. The committee, which includes me, meets a couple times every month to try to figure out how to occupy 1000 teenagers for 18 hours, and also give them a sharp awakening as to the reality of cancer and those it affects. Unfortunately, despite the serious nature of the event, most of the participants tend to see the event as a purely social activity, and don’t appreciate the importance it holds for cancer survivors, victims, and their families. My mind immediately flashes to several kids who jumped the fence in order to illegally leave the event. Or the disrespectful ones who trash talked the co chairs in charge of the event. I shake my head in frustration.

However, then I think about the Luminaria ceremony, which I was in charge of. So much planning and stress went into it. I spent hours behind a booth taking down names for the Luminaria bags. But honestly, I never resented any of it. It is the climax, the peak, the most important hour of the event, because people are reminded about cancer and all those it has affected. I’m more than happy to help the participants of the event remember their loved ones, or honor those who are still fighting the disease. And the event, itself…wow. I never realized how many of my friends had cancer in their families as well. Before Lydia was diagnosed, I think I was just blind. I knew people had cancer but I saw it very infrequently. Now, everywhere I go, I see cancer ravaging lives left and right. The veil before my once innocent eye has been lifted, and now I see the damage and the pain, and I experience it myself. I listened to story after story of how almost everyone had experienced the fear resulting from cancer diagnosis. And it was then that I realized that despite all the work, the few disrespectful people, and the stress, THIS was why I was still helping with the event.

Everyone deals with pain and grief a little differently. But all like to see their loved ones remembered and honored. And these cancer survivors and victims deserve it. They truly do. This year’s Relay wasn’t as emotionally painful as last year’s one was for me. It has been almost two years since my precious little sister passed away. Time has flown by in a way, yet also crawled. People’s lives are moving on, and I need to get on that train before it leaves. Lydia would have wanted her beloved family to keep living life to the fullest. And that is what I will try to do. However, Relay is something I will never let go of. Relay was important to me because of Lydia. And Relay is and always will be important to me because it gives me a chance to pour out my love and sympathy for all those in similar circumstances. I never would have understood had I not gone through it as well.

This event showed me that I will always love doing Relay. I also saw that no matter what the state of your friendship is, true friends will know when you need them, and they WILL be there for you, to hold you while you cry, listen while you talk, and say I love you when you need it most. And finally, that loved ones are never forgotten, so Relay will always continue, and I will continue doing Relay.

Thanks to our extended family and friends who pray and support us through this event!

Love, Esther