Well the walk is done and it was AWESOME!
At 8:15 this morning, I met my friend Shannon and we subway’d to Times Square. We arrived just in time to see Mayor Bloomberg, and Jesse L. Martin. The crowds were enormous – women/men/children/dogs walking as far as you could see! I definitely think there were 40,000 or more people there. Everyone was in a great mood, and we were all united in a common goal. Folks were wearing their numbered bibs, and many were wearing these signs as well:
“I am participating in support of ________.”
“I am participating in memory of ________.”
It was all so poignant and unbelievably dear. I was a bit shocked at how many people were walking in memory of their mothers. It’s almost like a whole generation has been touched. There were also groups that carried signs and wore matching t-shirts. I saw a crowd from Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, The Actors Fund, and Gilda’s Club.
Shannon and I have been friends for over 20 years, (we were pals in The South!) She is also a breast cancer surviver. I absolutely love doing this walk with her. We hadn’t seen each other in a bit, and were so busy gabbing that the time went very quickly. It was a glorious, sunny day – perfect walking weather!
Afterwards, various sponsors were giving away sandwiches, water, cookies etc.. We were sitting on the lawn at Central Park relaxing, nibbling, and people watching. Suddenly we both saw a quite elderly African-American couple walking very slowly past us. They were both wearing a sign that said:
“I am participating in memory of my daughter Karen.”
Shannon looked at me and I looked at her and we both got teary.
And we both were so grateful to have been a part of this amazing experience.
Aww, how cool babe! Glad that the walk went well and you enjoyed yourself! Make sure you rehydrate after all that!
oooh weee!!! Good for you and Shannon!!! RESPECT girls!
That is awesome!
So many people walking in memory of their mothers, but the couple in memory of their child, doesn’t that kill you? It’s just not right to bury a child.
So proud of you, Lisa. By the looks of the news reports, it seemed like MORE than 40K people! Such a great, and emotional, event. {HUGS}
No nobler way to spend a fine Saturday. Sorry I wasn’t walking with you!
It was a great experience, although I didn’t walk I was a volunteer and whenever participants came up to me and said “Thanks for volunteering” I would say “No, thank you for walking/running!” So, THANK YOU LISA!! THANK YOU SHANNON!!
Incredible, thank you on behalf of my aunt. *smooch*
You may not have officially been walking for The Mom, but you were, just the same. So thank you.
You guys made me cry again!
And you are very welcome
I’m glad it didn’t rain
I’m glad you didn’t get trampled
I’m glad you did it
Thank you.
I am PROUD of you.
Congrats on doing it and I’m glad it was a positive experience.
Yay for YOU!
Very cool! Glad you had fun.
I participated in my own walk for cancer recently… look at us, a pair of do-gooders!
You’re such a great role model for a twenty-something troublemaker like myself.
3 cheers for LisaB! THANK YOU so much!
Thank you all!!! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it
[...] (I asked for your support last year on my blog, and you guys rocked! I hope you will consider sponsoring me again for this very good cause.) [...]