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BARBARA JO KIRSHBAUM 2010 AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER |
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Avon walk for breast cancer--Houston--April 10-11, 2010, raised $2m— I have dedicated this walk to my friend Karen Abril, who is now on hospice. You have been an incredible inspiration to many. I love you It is Monday afternoon. We arrived home from Houston about 11:30 and Bob was not feeling too well so we were in the doctor's office at 1:00. They will do further studies on Tues and Wed. this week. He is already feeling a little better. Anyway, we went to Houston, the first long distance walk of the year for Avon, mostly because Bob wanted to go and felt up to doing it. Our son David, and one of our daughter's Debra, came with us. Since Bob is no longer driving, we needed a driver and someone who could get in and out of the car 60 times a day to get all of our Team California signs on the route to support the walkers. That has been Bob's 'under the radar' and 'unofficial' job since about 2003. He loves doing it and our kids and grandkids love assisting him. There are many family jokes related to Team California 'signage' and the qualifications it takes to be on that particular part of the team. Another reason we wanted to be at that particular walk was that it was our friend Carolyn Miles participation in her 50th walk for breast cancer. We knew that this year our participation in the walks would be different because of Bob's health. I have always been motivated to walk every step and raise a lot of money; this year it would really be about raising the money. So I wasn't too concerned about the mileage, also because I have not been able to train as much as in the past. So my decision to walk whatever I could would be goal. We arrived in Houston on Thursday and the hotel was connected to a lovely mall. David and Debra checked that out and Bob and I took it easy on Thursday. Fri. was registration and I sold jewelry in the afternoon. It was nice to see my special 'peeps' and it did not seem like any time had passed. But that is the advantage of easy on line communication available these days. Got up at 5 am on Sat. and I really hate getting up that early! But nonetheless that is what we did. My personal crew drove me to the opening ceremonies and then left to go to signage. My friend Carolyn was part of the opening ceremonies and she dedicated her participation to Dr. Bob, which touched me deeply. I walked with Judy for a while.....it is always great to catch up with her.......she is the real mover/shaker for the Solo Strutter team in every city. Bob had already decided that I should only walk 13 miles, so my 'crew' picked me up at the half-way stop and we went back to the hotel. We ate lunch in the room, and I fell asleep until 6:30pm. I don't ever remember doing that but I am certain that it was not the walk as much as the emotional stress. I forgot to mention that no rain was predicted; I did however have a clear poncho in my fanny pack that worked when it actually did drizzle for most of the morning! On Sun. Bob was going to stay in the room and have me walk and the kids put up signs. He wasn't feeling great and there was no way I would leave him. So Debra and David provided signage and I stayed with Bob. He just didn't seem to have much energy. By evening Bob decided that he was feeling better so that we could go to Carolyn's celebration dinner. We are very glad we went since that really is quite something to celebrate. Actually Carolyn has crewed so many different jobs, I have no doubt that she could organize an event herself. Congratulations Carolyn. We are so proud of you. This morning we wore our pink Avon "In it to End it" shirts home on the plane. Please check my website or FaceBook r.e. future walks and follow my fundraising in either place. I appreciate your coming to my website and following my journey. Barbara Jo
Kirshbaum ONE HUNDRED+WALKS/ONE MILLION+DOLLARS
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