Quote of the Day: We are marching in the light of God music and text from a South African hymn. As the text indicates, this is a march tempo. The words repeat. We can set our books down and march together. Additional action words: dancing, singing, praying, walking.
When we walk together, we don’t have to walk alone. This is the first year that I’m walking in the Race for the Cure Walk for Breast Cancer, and I’m a team captain! I’m in a group called Mothers of Multiples (MOMs). One of our members is battling inflammatory breast cancer. If you want to walk with us, be a spirit walker, or donate, you can go here. Our team name is MOMS for MAMS. Kinda fun.
I’m writing a story for our local women’s magazine on The Buddy Walk, which is a walk for families and people who have Down syndrome. I’ve talked to three local families, and they all have a unique story. What is common is the desire to build community, to walk together.
Here I am walking, (well, drinking coffee and talking after a long day with middle schoolers), with two of my favorite writers from this region. We were all presenters at the Young Authors Conference (YAC) in Nothern Minnesota. If you’ll remember Friday’s post, I was nervous about going, questioning if I belong, and despite that crazy talk, found success. In fact, we had a great time. Some of the highlights include: reciting poetry at the dinner table on Tues. night, singing random songs, discussing religion, and serenading the full moon and a couple birthday girls with Amazing Grace.
Roxane (Bob Marley in the above photo) has more details of the fun at YAC on her blog, Peacegarden Mama.
Journaling Prompt: Have you walked for any causes? Do you know someone with Down syndrome? How do you experience community?
What a nice article you’re writing, I’ll bet the families have beautiful stories to tell. I’m a walker, and have always felt that walking is beneficial in so many ways. Raising awareness for important causes like these is another one of those amazing ways.
Love the name of your group–really cute! I’ve done loads of other charity events, but never a walk. I have sponsored quite a few walkers, though. Nearly even weekend in the spring or fall, some group is holding a charity walk or run in Philly.
Good luck on your walk. I just did the Race for the Cure here in the Twin Cities on Mother’s Day with my mom. It was a lot of fun.
That’s a grea thing to do! I’d do a walk, but not during our long, hot summer.
Great – left off the T!
What a wonderful way for those families to come together! Community is definitely the right word and so necessary. :O)
That’s a great way of promoting the cause for breast cancer awareness! Good luck in your walk, I’m sure your group will rock it!
nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
good for you! sounds like a great way to get out there and do something. And with/for people you know and like, no less!
I have wanted to walk for diabetes. I applaud you Mary. You are making a difference.
I don’t know anyone with a downs syndrome child, but my Christopher has Sturge-Weber Syndrome. It is so rare that there isn’t a walk for it.
Rock on Mary. I’m proud to cyber know you. I’m going to journal this. I think I’ll write down how proud it would make me feel to do one for Sturge-Weber and the people that I might meet along the way. 🙂
That’s great you’re doing a walk. I ran a 5k with some friends (for another friend with cancer) last year for the Shirley Mays/Gilda Club Cancer Fund. The energy and the community spirit was amazing. I would definitely do it again.
I’d love to walk for a cause but I cannot walk long distances due to my fibromyalgia. I am thinking about doing a bowl for the cause since I can bowl. My hubby and I are thinking about doing one for the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association. I have CFS as well so it hits home. May you have a blessed week
Mary,
Just catching up on some long overdue blog reading–how awesome for you to participate in these walks. You are so right–there is such a sense of community! I did day care for a boy with Down’s–he definately touched my life. Great pic of you all at your conference. I thought of you at my recent conference–they had a session on playwrights. Well, I better get doing some more reading!
Mary,
This is my first visit to your blog and it’s a blessing to be here. What a great cause to walk for and write about!
Great to find another lover of words. 🙂 Thanks also for stopping by my blog to support Patti Lacy!
-Mel
We usually take our dogs in the Million Paws walk, a fundraiser for RSPCA here in Australia. Go team Captain!
Wagging Tales – Blog for Writers
I’ve never walked for any causes, but that is a good idea! Your blog posts always have such a comforting sense of community in them. It is wonderful to be involved with others. 🙂
Great quote at the top.
Mary, I am SO glad we pursued finding a coffee shop in Thief River, even though it was not easy. Haha. We don’t give us easily, do we? We found it, and it will remain among my treasured memories of our time together. Well, not to be outdone by our poet friend, who definitely stole the show the night before. 🙂 I doubt Jean will ever forget her 50th birthday celebration! Glad to have you on the YAC team. I knew you’d do awesome! I also hope you enjoyed getting paid for your work. You are well-deserving. I just deposited my check today — yay. Icing on an already delicious cake. 🙂