6/360 – And prizes!

Posted on | October 26, 2009 | 9 Comments

Wow – Another 3Day come and gone. I am sure I say this every single year, but this may have been the best one ever. It’s been 6 years and 360 event miles.

This event has been part of a chain of events (the happy part) that changed the course of my life in a huge way. We have made so many friendships, and enjoyed watching those people grow and change – this year, an awesome young woman who has been supporting us with her family since she was 11 was finally old enough to walk with her mom and all of us – how awesome! Other team members have welcomed babies, experienced profound loss, retired or had other major life changes, and have all been there to support each other… through these 60 miles and in between.

Over the years, my pain threshold has dramatically increased (perhaps that only means it was quite low to start!), and despite my nerves before that first walk 6 years ago, I no longer think twice about the distance. Though the physical endurance portion has gotten easier, it never gets old seeing a new walker take the creed to heart, whether or not someone they love has had cancer, and understand that even though it may be “just a walk”, this IS a way that they can contribute to something bigger than themselves, and do something more challenging than they may have ever done. Asking people for money is sometimes just as difficult as the physical challenge, and proving to ourselves that we can do both is an affirmation that we are capable of more than we thought. The camaraderie and support only adds to the whole experience. It changes people. It changed me. And this year, I find myself acknowledging that it may not be the perfect solution. Walking itself doesn’t cure anybody or fill the hole left by those that are gone. But the experience heals, and the money – no matter how I struggle with the fact that this all boils down to money – WILL. It may not be perfect, but it’s SOMETHING – a pretty big thing actually.

In just a couple of short weeks, more of you donated than I would ever have hoped given the timeframe and our economic conditions – you all raised $700!! In TWO WEEKS!! What an amazing, and amazingly generous crowd you are. I know you all give for your own reasons, and I’m honored to carry the stories and names that you have shared with me – still, THANK YOU, so very much. And as of last count, all of us walkers and crew on the Washington DC event raised 5.5 MILLION DOLLARS. Forgive my language, but shit. That’s a lot of money, especially right now. I thank you all for what you have given in donations, prizes, and emotional support. Having my own virtual cheering station has been so incredibly awesome – and you all can’t know how much I appreciate your kind words through your emails and comments and messages on my 3Day page, it means so much. Enough blubbering yes? I have a few prizes to give out!

• $40 gift certificate to One Planet Yarn and Fiber – Katrin, of Sew-Mad (I swear I didn’t rig that y’all!)
• 1 skein Sanguine GryphonBugga! Merino/Cashmere blend sock yarn in your choice of the Perenial Colourway lineup – Kirsten, of Through the Loops
• 1 skein Sanguine GryphonBugga! Merino/Cashmere blend sock yarn in your choice of the Perenial Colourway lineup – Dawn, of Dawn’s Dream
• A custom-crafted needle roll by Katrin of Sew-Mad - Thorny Desert Girl

I will be sending out emails momentarily!

Thank you again to Katrin and Gryphon and Sarah, for supporting this fundraising with your time and talents, (and all the rest of you who offered – I wish I’d had more time!)…xoxo…

I can’t resist sharing a few more pictures – I wish I could bottle it up and send a little of the feeling to you all, but this is as close as I can get! One of these years I should photograph my feet, but that’d only gross you out, I’m afraid!!

Our youngest walker, Lyndsay, and her mom…

An impromptu cheering station on rainy Saturday – complete with candy, bubbles, and sweet little girls.

Our awesome team

A 3Day baby (whom you might recognize from last year! Both her parents walked this year!)

*my favorite sign!*

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Now playing: Rosi Golan – I Don’t Wanna Wait

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