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Sunday: The Big Finish
At 5:30 Sunday morning, four sore and “not overly eager”
walkers piled out of bed (slowly) and headed out again.
Theoretically, we only had 13.2 miles to go, but as usual Avon sent us on
a 14.3-mile hike back to the Kennedy Center. This
time we had more shirts on, what is known as the layered
look! Everyone had either sore feet or sore joints, but we
soldiered on. We passed people limping, one woman walking
backward because her legs hurt too much to walk forward and
many people wearing the “Cancer Survivors” t-shirts. We
couldn’t find a good reason to complain among these people
who were obviously in more difficulty. As the walk slogan
goes, “blisters ain’t cancer”. |
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Whistler's Mother before the walk
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OUR PRIMARY SUPPORTERS:
Jeanne, who brought us water, oranges and encouragement
and picked us up in every part of Augusta County. Much
thanks to her: it was deeply appreciated.
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And then there was Roz. Roz kept the website up to date
during the spring and then went with us to D.C. There she
provided laughter, encouragement, warm clothing and rides
(well she did get lost once somewhere in Dupont Circle for
an hour or so). She also served as the official photographer
and put the power point shows about the walk on the website.
These two women made the entire exercise much easier.
They have our deep thanks and love. |
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THE WALKERS:
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Eva, Sandra, Judith and I trained from the second week in
January (every weekend) and we formed a closeness based on
mutual laughter, pain and much discussion of important
matters, i.e. “where is the best place to pee?”
Try finding cover for this activity in a snowstorm in
February on a public highway!
Eventually you don’t even look for cover! |
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SANDRA.
This was her first Avon walk and she was convinced that she
wasn’t capable of doing it.
She planned most of our training routes and did an
outstanding job taking us through beautiful territory filled
with great scenery and my favorite, the numerous horses.
She developed blisters just before the walk, but she
walked through the pain and she finished every step of the
43 miles. I am very proud of her and I hope she is proud of
herself. She was our emotional
support, our joy, and never complained about anything that
was demanded of her. My
“courage” hat goes off to her. Next time you see Sandra,
yell “truck” and watch what she does!
AND NEVER ASK HER WHY SHE IS TAKING A PILL!!
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JUDITH.
She was our leader, our motivator and trainer and
would not accept any excuse for slacking off or dodging
training. God knows I tried!
Snow, rain, wind and heat: on
we went! She did the entire
training, and the walk, with one arthritic toe burning and
stabbing with pain, but she never complained and she kept us
going. We named ourselves
“Team Flohr” in her honor and wore shirts with her name and
were proud to be part of her team.
She walked in honor of forty-some people who have
cancer or who have died from cancer.
She cried for each of them at the end of the walk.
However, least she appear a saint:
Despite wearing glasses, she had no ability to see.
We were in constant hysteria when she would announce
that our next turn was at “Pinch Knot Road” or “Crab Trees
Farm”, neither of which existed, but that’s what she saw on
the signs.
And the minute we started, she had to pee and pee and pee.
If she were a dog, she’d still be sniffing the
January trail! But she trained
us well and she got us through the walk. What more can we
ask? Now she can put the whip
away!
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EVA:
This
was Eva’s second Avon walk and her first was highly
complicated by blisters. This time she bought shoes that
fit, used enough lube (actually it oozed through her shoes,
another funny sight), and she finished without any problem,
except that she will never stand up straight again!
After the first day of the walk Eva, Sandra and I piled into the
elevator leaving the others behind because Eva had to pee.
But she was sore and bent almost double, like a very old
woman with bad back problems. When I noticed this, I
started laughing and farting, and then Sandra laughed so
hard, she began to cry. Eva was our source of humor.
This included the “three hat” look that she wore during the
cold and her yellow flying nun outfit for the walk.
She was walking for a very personal reason due to having a family
member currently dying of cancer so she was determined to
finish this walk in good style, and she did! Thanks to her
for all the laughs and my admiration for her courage and
determination. |
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ANNE:
That would be me. I was the complainer and
photographer. I complained about the weather, the length of
the trip and anything else I could think up. And you ask:
that comes as a surprise to whom?
I also caused numerous delays because I had to photograph another
horse, llama or old house. But they were patient with me
and my moods: that was probably my major contribution: my
moods.
I went from high to low in an instant during
the entire training, but I’m a moody person these days and
friends understand these things. And, no: before
the psychoanalysis starts, it has nothing to do with
retirement and everything to do with my disenchantment with
life in general. But find me another fine wine and I
recover quickly!
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ENDINGS,
CONCLUSIONS, AND NEW BEGINNINGS
It was, despite the
increased mileage and the weather, a good weekend. We
walked and talked with brave and warm people. We saw
beautiful things happening like the people from the Brighton
Assisted Living Home who gave me a balloon and
encouragement. Throughout the route, people came out to
cheer us on, and to say thanks, and each time it brought
tears to my eyes and kept my feet moving.
I marveled at the survivors who walked with
us and cried when I saw those who were obviously not going
to survive to walk again. We laughed a lot, both during
training and during the walk. It was a positive experience
and in total we raised 7.2 million more dollars for breast
cancer patients.
Thanks to our supporters, our group raised over $10,000 and I
thank each of you who donated so that I could walk. You are
beautiful people and you have made a difference in my life
and the lives of many others.
I did the walk because I can: You helped me
because you can: We did it for the people who cannot do
it for themselves. So give yourself a big hug for being
a good person. Know that I love you, each of you
differently, but all of you in my own way.
So, my moods and I are off on new adventures. The old life
has ended and I’m not sure what lies ahead. For the summer,
I’ll mow grass and take some short trips. In the fall I
should be in Northampton, MA. After that, maybe the
photograph shop will happen, or maybe some serendipitous
experience will come along. |
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I’ll miss being in touch with you, it
has been a pleasurable experience, and I’m glad you came
along for the ride. Thanks for having been in my life.
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With love,
Anne |
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If I don't, Who
will? |
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