most profound moment of the weekend...

Yesterday and today Team Keeping Abreast pulled off the most amazing "garage" sale and bake sale ever. We had a goal of $2,000 in fundraising and with our company match - we exceeded that goal by $40.00!

For me, the most profound moment was when I was "tagging" a facebook photo to thank everyone who had played a role and I just kept tagging and tagging. So many friends and family donated time, baked goods, sale items, spent time recruiting and advertising, came to make purchases, helped with loading up and packing up - it really humbled me to realize how many people were making contributions to help our team raise the donations needed to not only fight breast cancer but help ensure the 6 of us will be walking come September 16, 2011!

I must tell you, I am not an overly sentimental person - with strangers especially. I'm not the kind of person to GUSH about this or that or over-do sympathy (unless I really mean it) - I am genuine, but not "over the top" about all things. I try to be respectful of other's viewpoints, time and the fact that I know "they" don't care as much about "me" as I do.

Today, I surprised myself and had a most amazing moment when a customer of the sale asked if there were any breast cancer survivors on the team. There are...however some are less inclined to bring it up, so I told her, "yes, I am one of them". This woman reached toward me instinctively, without hesitation to embrace me in a hug - not one of those "oh you poor thing" hugs, but an uplifting, grateful hug. To my surprise -  I immediately warmly hugged her right back - and savored this emotional, positive connection with this stranger. I found out shortly after our embrace that her mother was also a survivor. The conversation was only momentarily about "cancer" and then we spoke of the inspiration of the 3 Day walk and gadgets and clothes at the sale. It was the most natural, comfortable and really "human" conversation.


It reminded me - we are all the same. We may be strangers, but we are all the same inside.

I. Am. Grateful. Thankful. For the experiences this weekend has brought me.