Celebrate. Remember. Fight back.
Four simple words, filled with meaning: joy, pride, sorrow, loss, determination, courage, strength. Tonight was our night to celebrate. To remember. To honor and rejoice. To stand strong with other survivors. To join with others in the fight against cancer. To support those who are working to find a cure for this horrible disease.
Last year, we were truly overwhelmed with our Relay experience. This year, we had a better idea of what to expect, but I still managed to have a few surprises in store for Matt.
Our evening began with a visit to the Survivor’s tent where we feasted on Boston’s pizza, sandwiches from Applebees, chicken crispers from Chili’s, and lots of chips and salsa. Having satisfied our rumbly tummies, we then took our tour of the campsites where vendors and relay teams were setting up. We visited with Boy Scouts from Troop 303 who were helping unload items for various booths. We found the Team McGowen booth and helped set up and decorate the tent area.
As we were setting up, we discovered a new attraction this year:
No, there were no helicopter rides being offered, but it was exciting enough to watch the helicopter take off and circle above us several times. The kids had never before been that close to a chopper, so this was a new experience for them!
Then it was time for the opening ceremonies. We took our places in the Survivor’s area and watched as McKinney’s Bravest presented the colors and sang the national anthem.
Following the parade of speakers came the moment we had been waiting for: the Survivor’s Roll Call. Each survivor was called by name to receive their medal and gather for the Survivor’s Lap. This year was especially exciting for Matt as he was presented his medal by none other than Brian Loughmiller, Mayor of the City of McKinney!
As the survivors gathered, we saw familiar faces and heard familiar names of friends who have been blessed with the gift of life. We realized we had a small McFBC Survivor’s contingent there, each one a miracle and testimony to the power of God’s healing in their lives.
As the Survivors walked their lap, the rest of us – caregivers, team members, friends and supporters, gathered around the track and cheered them on. What an emotional experience, to see the sea of purple shirts and recognize that each one represents A life – and LIFE itself – a gift of another day, another year, another moment to share on this earth with the ones they love. My favorite Survivor, of course, was this one:
As the Survivors finished their lap, it was time for the caregivers to join them. Even though I was the only one with the official “Caregiver” t-shirt, all of Matt’s caregivers joined to make our victory walk together.
Matt and I took an additional special “victory lap” together without the kids. It was a lap to honor another year together, another year of love and living and building our future as husband and wife. We cherished every step we took, hand in hand…and then we saw this:
Hmm…Hooters and Nobel Prize Winners. Two things I don’t think I’d ever expect to fill the same conversational phrase. And with that, the moment was over.
After our victory lap, it was time for some fun and games! We headed off to the children’s play area, making new friends along the way:
First it was Ike, the mascot for the Dallas Stars’ AA-Affiliate, the Texas Tornado!
Then it was Deuce from the Texas Rangers’ AA-Affiliate: the Frisco Roughriders!
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to corral Champ, the mascot for the Dallas Mavericks, for a photo op. He galloped away before we were able to rein him in.
After the kids had had an opportunity to play a bit on the obstacle course, we headed back to the Team McGowen area just in time for the luminaria ceremony. Having had a bit of time to prepare, I was able to purchase one in honor of Matt:
As the lights in the stadium dimmed and the noise level quieted, I led Matt to the area where his luminaria had been placed. After seeing name after name on the luminarias lining the track, he was certainly surprised to find one bearing HIS name:
And as in the TV show “Survivor”, the light represents life. Matt’s light is still burning. The God of all Tribes has spoken, and has blessed him with the gift of complete healing. What a moment to celebrate!
By this time it was getting late. Knowing we had to be up early the next morning for Go and Be, we decided to call it a night and head home to get a good night’s sleep. As we left, we heard the thundering beat of “Eye of the Tiger” by none other than Survivor. A great way to conclude a night of celebration.
