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Day 1
We were to be there between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m..
We wanted to be punctual and were actually a little early. I checked in and
picked up my credentials, then went to find out who I could give the $100 check
to (mentioned previously). It was spitting rain and a little on the chilly side.
But that didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. We were all motivated to walk.
We would get a route card
each morning and a camp events card each night. Notice the goodies on the
lanyard – a church group made the tiny pin to the left of the flower. See the
no whining button? I asked for one, but they wouldn’t give it to me until I
gave them my best whine. The route cards/camp cards slipped in behind the
credentials.
I immediately met up with
Sharia. She was walking alone as well and we decided to start off together. Jill
and Dawn were also alone on this dreary wet day. Dawn loaned me her sweatshirt
and we chatted about the day and waited for opening ceremonies to begin.
This woman walked in memory of her Aunt Chris. I
really like their shirts and the plastic coated picture she had. She also had a
pin that said “Cancer Sucks.” Where else can you ask a perfect stranger if
you can take a picture of her fanny?
 I found this sign for the circus to be truly
amusing. It was in the window of a barber shop in West Chicago. I didn’t tell
the Miller’s about this just yet, but I remember sometimes it felt like being
at the circus in that bustling family. <giggle>.
This elementary school emptied all it’s
classrooms to let the children come out and show their support. Some cheered,
others chanted. Many had artwork, stickers, and signs. They really had fun.
The end of day 1 nears. I walked into camp with
these two energetic and comical ladies (Karen and Liz). They promised to walk
the rest of the way with me and make me forget my feet. They succeeded.
The tent cities that followed us were an
incredible operation. We would get there and they would scan us in. When I
arrived the first night, my tent mate had already retrieved our tent and had it
almost all set up. Her name was Nancy and she was from Nashville. She did not
show up Saturday night. I was in L48.
Each night we were expected to eat, then shower
to avoid being overcome by the steam in the shower trailers. This was the best
shower I ever took. Heated floors, good temperature. It was close quarters for
changing clothes, but everyone was forgiving and changed as quickly as their
achy bodies would allow.
The first night’s tent city was just blocks
from Kelly’s house. Kelly, Margaret and Matthew came out to see me and we
listened to three incredible stories of “Why we walk.” We signed the ribbon
in the remembrance tent and then I was ready for bed. I wish I’d thought to
bring my camera from my tent, but I didn’t think I’d make it back if I went
to retrieve it. I was fairly certain I’d just lay down and go to sleep.
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Day 2
This sunrise was incredible. We were up at 5:00
a.m. to be on the road by 6:30. Hot chow included almost anything one might want
for breakfast. Cold cereal, hot cereal, eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and
gravy… Take your choice.
Stuart walked with me for a while on Saturday. He
walks in memory of his wife. He was a lot of fun to talk to. The hat he’s
wearing in this photo is a souvenir from a cruise he and his wife took before
she passed away. I hope to see him next year, wearing, or at least carrying his
wife’s survivor hat. I know she would want him to use it.
There were several cheering stations along the
way. This one had kids refilling water bottles and a bagpipe player. Another one
had kids handing out little baggies of hugs and kisses. Another group handed out
flowers. And another gave out lifesavers. Some kids offering water bottle
refills. These kids were handing out hugs and kisses before going to the soccer
game. Water and pretzels. Notice all the dolls helping.
This is Paula. She was swept to camp just a
couple of miles after this photo. Paula has lost more than 100 pounds! Sunday
she was red-carded and pulled from the walk on a medical (something about her
toenails). We walked slowly to lunch on Saturday. I saw her again briefly on
Sunday – she was waiting for the bus to pick them up and sweep them to the
holding area. She took these setbacks in stride and kept a smile on her face.
 Saturday
afternoon proved to be my toughest challenge in years. I truly didn't know if I
would make it. I had left as soon as we were allowed to leave camp, and yet, I was
the last of the last to come into Camp 2. When I got in, I sat down in the
middle of the field and cried, overwhelmed with the emotion of the event, and
overwhelmed with how far I still had to walk just to get ready for bed. Some
nice lady helped me find my tent and by the time I had some chow, a shower, and
new tape for my angry little toes, I felt much better. The live entertainment had already begun by the
time I came in. They were very good and sang very upbeat songs from the 70’s
and 80’s. I had just missed Kelly and Margaret, who had
come to see me. I did call and sing Happy Birthday to Kelly’s
answering machine, after futile attempts to reach them. Margaret did, however, solve the cell phone battery dilemma for
next year! You go girl!
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Day 2
The first sign that we are getting close. First
thought was “that looks like a long way away.”
After lunch at Ta Ta’s, this horse and buggy
walked with us for a few blocks. It was tempting to think of catching a ride
with Blaze.
 Crossing over Lake Shore Drive. This is where it
started to feel as if I might actually make it. Saturday afternoon is when I
started to doubt, but here is where I started to believe.
 This lively group of people had kazoos and sang
us “You are my Sunshine” as we trudged along. There were about 3 miles of
eye candy along this beach front. Scantily clad people jogging, playing
volleyball, rollerblading, swimming, etc.
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Finish Line 
The first person I saw was Craig, shoving his way
through the crowd to get to me. Then Kelly, Mandy, my Mom, Margaret, Nick,
Travis and Valerie. It was all I could do to keep my emotions in check at this
point. I made it. There are few other times in my life I can remember such an
emotional high.
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Closing Ceremonies
At closing ceremonies, we make two rows of eight
to split off in the arena, and then join up again in the front by the stage. We
are followed by the crew, and by the survivors who walked. The circle of
survivors is brought back. Again all poetically done. A blank flag is raised to
represent a world without breast cancer. This was my breaking point.
The words resounded “We walk because we believe…” As the ceremony went, my family and friends
waited patiently. As the very reason I walked the 2005 walk, Mike and Kelly are
patient, although I’m sure they are tired of holding back the tears as this
ceremony speaks straight to the heart of the matters at hand. We all know Kelly
will begin chemotherapy for a second time in her life. A time in which we all
thought this was well behind us. At the same time, this event has moved them all
to join me next year. I really feel this brought us closer than we’ve been in
a few years. My cousin Travis and Valerie made things so much
easier on all of us. He offered his old apartment (across from the park) as a
meeting place before and after. He did valet parking for my mom and Margaret.
And when the ceremonies were over, he was great enough to go get mom’s car so
I didn’t have to walk another 2 miles. As we all sat around waiting for Travis to bring
the car, we talked about next year’s team. Kelly is all in, as is Nick. Mom,
Margaret and Mandy are all over the support/cheering part of the process. Craig
is going to walk. We all have a lot of great ideas to make next year bigger and
better than this one.
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