Day 3 – Homestretch! By day 3 we were weak. There were long lines for medical treatment at every stop. People were slower than they have been in days. We were tired of eating chicken, toilets that did’t flush, watered down Gatorade and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. But we pushed on.
This was the day it decided to rain…off and on. But we pushed on. I had a co-worker send an email about the myths of breast cancer. You know, if that’s what you believe then fine. Yes, there are many conspiracy theories, but I tell you, when you go through it or someone you know…all theories are out the window. One guy biked past us and said “ya’ll looking for a cure, all you got to do is pray and ask God.” Honey, God gave us doctors. As I’ve said many times before, my mom had early detection and removal of the tumor before it got bad. She is a blessing. I do what I do to support this cause so that someone else has the same type of story instead of the stage 3 or 4 story which typically ends tragically. It’s not just about finding a cure…they may never find a cure…for me it’s about awareness, support, and treatment for the women who can’t afford it. Medical care is high now-a-days folks! My great grandmother died from this the before year last! She actually had it for a while but NO ONE KNEW. We’ve got to do something for our poor and elderly.
Closing Ceremony - We walked through not a sea but an ocean of people, parted just for us, people on both sides either shaking our hands or giving us a high 5 for finishing. With tears down their faces and thanks coming out of their mouths…it was awesome. And it was all in the rain. We walked through the cheers to receive tee shirts and roses. Every single walker got them.
On stage they had the girl who did the walk for her sister and she was joined by her sister. The one who did it for their family was joined by their family. Everyone who did it for someone else was joined by that person except for the man who did it for his wife that just passed. We then lined up to enter a circle, a 1,900 person circle. This was just the walkers. Then the crew got in the circle. Then women who mattered most…the survivors. Strutting their special pink shirts…holding hands they enter the circle. They not only fought cancer but they too completed this 60 mile adventure. Then we all do the ceremonial task of taking off 1 shoe, holding it in the air for those who have walked before and lost their battle or those who lost their battle before ever being able to walk. Tears flowed.
Lastly they have a few survivors who opened the ceremony by representing a flag of hope, courage, strength…etc; they come and raise the flag signifying the close of this wonderful experience.
As we rode the buses back to our cars, I heard a story of how this one crew member was chewed out by a spectator. The spectator was a survivor who found the crew members outfit to be disrespectful. He had been wearing for 3 days a bra and a pair of shorts…freezing his butt off cheering us on…and you know why?? Because his wife was just diagnosed. Yet this woman, who knows nothing about him or why he had on what he had on chewed him out because she was a survivor. Maybe she went through her battle alone. Maybe she’s still angry. But for us, those 3 days, he was another smiling face pushing us on. I know my teammates will be asked if I made it, or did I pass out..there are certain people that want to hear the stories of how the big girl did…well I finished.
I Tamara Marlene, finished the Tampa Bay 3 day by walking 60 miles in 3 days to help find a cure for breast cancer, promote awareness, and help medical treatment for those who can afford it. My blistered feet and cramped legs were my badges of honor. And I’m still walking, I’m still breathing, I’m still here. I’d do it again…just taking a year off to let my finances recoup and my body…lol!
I hope you got something good out of my experience. It really would have been nice to have some familiar faces waiting for me at closing ceremony but that’s ok. The self-prompted text message responses were suffice but more importantly the thought of my late grandmother being impressed and proud at what I accomplished was more than enough.
T Marlene -- Daily Venus Diva.
You are a true Solider!
You did it!! Congratulations! The experience sounded amazing. You painted such a picture with your words about it all. It is amazing to see how such a horrible disease can bring people of all walks of life together in love and support of one another. Thank you for sharing your 3 day experience….that was major!!!! God Bless!
thanks ladies