Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, San Francisco.....July 10-11, 2010....raised $5.5m, 84868 steps

 

I don't remember exactly when I decided that I would get back to the 'walks', since it has only been 2 months since Bob died; however, it must have been about 3 weeks ago.  My son David, daughter Debra and granddaughter Sara, came as my support team and to do the Team California signage as Bob had taught them.  They hung over 100 signs in the 2 days, and could not imagine how Dad had followed a map, picked out the sign, stopped every fraction of a mile, ripped tape, got out of the car, hung the signs perfectly all by himself.  We figured that was why he broke so many traffic rules each day in doing his 'self appointed job'.....he always had the most awful stories to tell me that it was the kind of thing that I would just as soon not have known........he would have been very proud of his kids doing his job, to support the walkers.

 

I certainly had some anxiety this weekend that disappeared as each day progressed.  It was good to see all of my 'peeps' at the selling tables on Fri.  By 6:30 pm I was so tired that Debra and Sara took over and had lots of fun and made some sales also.  I went up to our room, feeling very exhausted and still wondering if I had made a good decision to be there.

 

I walked all of Sat. with my friend Kent.  We have had a similar life experience and he had been so helpful to me in the last year. We also walked together 1/2 of Sun. Kent was really watching out for me and I appreciate that.   The route was different this year and I liked not having to walk so far past Sausalito.  Crossing the bridge always seems like a challenge in the wind, even though I love crossing the bridge.  I had planned to walk, maybe 13 miles, but when we got to that point I decided to keep going.  My kids stopped me at 22 miles and I am certain I could have finished the 26, but was a little fearful since I had done so little distance training in the past year.  So, I must laugh at myself, because I have been saying that the walking itself was not the important part to me anymore, but I was definitely aware of that little something inside of me that still wanted that challenge.  It does seem funny to me because I would never describe myself as competitive, but I can't deny that it is there! I was also aware that on Sat. I did not really begin any conversations as I usually do......that didn't change until Sun. afternoon when I stopped feeling so 'self absorbed'....By the way, the route on Sunday was quite a challenge.....what you would expect of a SF walk, though Kent thought it could have been created 'much flatter'.....I was just proud I was able to do the hills and hadn't lost all of my cardio conditioning.

 

Crissy was wearing a media badge, so I asked her about her story.  She was walking for her Mother, who is a 14 yr.

survivor.  This is the 7th year of walking for Crissy, and her Mother crews every year.  Go Crissy and Mom!!

 

We saw Stephanie and Tara all Sun. afternoon.  They are 2 friends, but were dressed so cute and exactly alike.  I thought maybe they were twins... They walk because Stephanie lost her mother to breast cancer when she was only 11 yrs. old and her older sister then raised her.  Her sister died 3 yrs. ago from breast cancer.  Stephanie has done 6 long distance walks and Tara has done 3.....Keep up the good work.

 

Walked a bit with Meg and Steve.....Meg is doing all of the cities while dealing with her own cancer.  It really was the first time that we have had much time together and I wanted to hear her story from the beginning.  She is absolutely amazing and wears a t-shirt with her 2010 bucket list printed on the back, and she has checked off almost everything on the list already. You are truly an inspiration! 

 

Debra's friends Debbie and Gail, and Gail's daughter Casey came to see us.  Gail has been a dear friend of Debra's since college.  Her daughter Casey is 8 yrs. old.  Casey handed me an envelope with $3 in it as her donation.  She also handed me this poem that she wrote: 

Roses are red; Violets are blue; Not one star shines brighter than you; you made it through breast cancer walks, it must have taken years; I'm sure Bob could always count on you; to stand beside his ear.

What an amazing 8 yr. old!  I adore you Casey.

 

My family and I carried in our Team California banner into the closing area.  I cried.  Bob has always walked in holding the banner with me.  During closing ceremonies Bob was honored.....he would have been so proud.....we were proud and we wept.....

 

And I am so glad I did this walk.  Thank you to everyone for your support.  You have each touched my life and I am so grateful.

 

Love,

Barbara Jo