May 20, 2021
Dear Friends and Family,
Nearly 1 in 2 Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. That means half of our family and friends will hear the words "you have cancer" at some point in their lives. This has been heard frequently in my circle. Some have been survivors: Grandmother, Father-in-law, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and close friend; others have survived in memory only: Father, Sister, Mother-in-law, Grandfathers, and Aunts.
The past 18 months has been quite challenging as I navigate this season of grief. The death of my sister and best friend has left a huge hole in my life. I recently joined a Grief Share group in an effort to reach out for help. In only a few weeks I have seen some positive results. In my "homework", it mentioned doing something in honour or memory of your loved one. I honestly had no idea where to start. I then came across the Relay for Life ad and knew this would be it. In June 2019, Melanie had a group of friends enter Relay for Life and she, along with her family, was able to join in for a few laps. She was wearing a wide brimmed hat and a t-shirt I had given her with "HOPE" written across the front. Hope and unwavering faith she had til the end.
I'm determined to find more healing and make a difference by participating in the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life. This is a nationwide event that brings people together to celebrate survivors, honour those we've lost and show that no one has to face cancer alone.
May 21, 2021
Walked my first 5 kms for Relay for Life today. I cried at the thought of each step I was taking was one Melanie wouldn't down here. I cried for the missed conversations we were to have on my front porch in our rockers. I cried because I miss her presence and I cried because I wished she was a survivor not a memory. But there was a peace during all this. An extra push when the last hill became a struggle. God's presence was there - He is here now. Melanie's presence is in God's presence so we are still together.
June 12, 2012
Today dawned bright. Today we wear yellow. Yellow is the colour to represent cancer. How fitting that it was Mel's favourite colour. We used to call her Mellow Yellow. Much has happened over the past few weeks in terms of my healing journey. Today there were no tears while I walked only memories. Today there was hope and joy. I walked a total of 11 kms today, 1 km for each of my sweet nieces and nephews that carry on the light of their mom.
I am so happy you took those steps Julie. As you so well wrote, God was present and Melanie was presence was threw God’s.
I still grieve losses of loved ones.
I did attend Grief Share until covid shut everything down. It is a wonderful program, to help our journey towards healing.
I know Melanie, the beautiful, radiant Sunflower is with you, my dear, loving friend everyday.
Relay for Life is lucky to have such a compassionate walker, who is such an example of what being a child of God should be. You are one of the Lord’s angels..
PS: yes Charlie, you too. Love your yellow runners lol.
Thanks, Louise. The boots: Charlie tore a chunk off one of his pads the other day so the boot has helped him walk as it was very tender. I put two on him yesterday just to look better. 😄
We were just about across the bridge when a momma moose and two babies crossed the road in front of us! So amazing! Charlie was fascinated! Once they disappeared into the next field by the hydro station, I thought safe to unclip his leash. Wrong! He took off through the field, thankfully, did return once reaching the other side and not seeing them. When he arrived back to me, he was bootless.😂 We then started relay for boots! I spent two of my eleven kms searching for the boots in the field! It could have been a potato field , but nooooo had to be the hay field. We managed to find one. I will go look once they mow and hopefully it is still in one piece. Never a dull moment in our family or on the Palmer!