More Tears...

Today I called to check on my Dad's headstone... they told me it was there and to come up and look at it.

MY DAD'S NAME STARRING ME IN THE FACE ON A HEADSTONE...

Tears flowed... alone in the cemetary... and all the way back to work!

IMC Memorial Service

Yesterday I attended a memorial service for all those people who had lost loved ones over the past year who were treated at IMC hospitals.

I don't think I was quite ready for such things... but my Mom wanted to go and so I attended with her. I did okay until the first musical number. It was "To Where You Are" by Josh Groban. That song reminds me of both my Dad's whom I have lost to Cancer... (My Dad and Dad-in-Law)... Tears began flowing... and it was down hill from there.

At the end of the service they read a list of those who had passed and asked everyone to come up and say the name of their loved one. This isn't something I like to do... all eyes on me isn't my cup of tea (yes, I did speak at my Dad's funeral with all eyes on me... but it was for him) so of course I muster up my composure and spoke his name into the microphone "Gary Allen Clayton"... to hear those words still today seem surreal. NOT MY DAD... he isn't gone... no way he was gonna outlive me.

Racing for the cure...

WOW... what a powerfully moving experience again this year. At the beginning of the race we hear Miley Syrus song "The Climb..." the chorus goes like this "There's always gonna be another mountain, I'm always gonna wanna make it move, always gonna be an uphill battle, Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose, Ain't about how fast I get there, Ain't about what's waiting on the otherside... It's the climb" It got me quite emotional as I looked ahead to a "sea" of people and my sister by my side. I know she will be here for me as "I climb"... I thought of how bad my Dad had wanted to walk with us again this year, and for a moment I almost felt him there with us!

I finally choked back the tears and walked. As the walk continued... I finally caught up to my dear friend Mandi and her Mom... knowing the support system I have in life it is a VERY powerful thing.

At the end the honored the survivors... WOW... to see all of those brave people who have fought the battle and won. It was awe inspiring. My cousin Laurie is a SURVIVOR... I look at her strength and find it so admirable.

I am so glad I chose to wake up early on my Saturday morning to yet again be part of something much bigger than myself!