Race for the Cure: Team Dirt & Noise

I’ve been doing the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure every year for a few years with an amazing group of friends. Some new pals flit in and out of the group as our schedules permit, but every year we have a fantastic team. Team Dirt & Noise was no different this year: Fighting Dirty, Making Noise.

As is our tradition, we do the course twice, some walk, some run, some do a little of both. We catch up and are amazed when the 5K finish line looms ahead. After we all gather our emotions from being so moved and overwhelmed by the sorority of survivors, we head off to get pedicures. Then lunch. Then drinks. And after a day that starts at 6:00 AM, we collapse on our couches at 4:00. Hot, sweaty, fulfilled messes who need a shower, relish our children’s kisses, thank our spouses, and count our blessings.

And hey, guess what? The shower is the perfect place for a monthly self check!

{A very special thanks to team member Erin who designed our awesome team shirts. She can do some super stuff for you too. Just check out her site! And a great big shout out to Action Plus Ideas for printing shirts at cost for Team Dirt & Noise! I owe Eric a gigantic THANK YOU for responding to my email promptly, recommending the right fit shirt and printing technique, and sticking to our budget. Action Plus Ideas is on my short list when my clients need anything printed! Erin and Eric, your generosity is much appreciated! And yeah, it’s not lost on me that your names are almost the same. I’m just too tired to go somewhere witty with that tonight.}

While we all know someone who has battled breast cancer, and we all certainly have breasts, this year’s race was more personal than in years past. This year we raced for my dear friend Newman. For my husband’s friend’s wife. For a teammate’s younger sister. This year we intimately know the faces fighting breast cancer. Faces that are way more than statistics.

Faces that light up the lives of so many.

Faces that smile down on mischevious children.

Faces that lean ever-so-slightly to be brushed with a kiss from a loving husband.

Faces that snicker at a girlfriend’s faux pas.

Faces that sneer at fashion don’ts.

Faces that cry when the pain and fright get unbearable.

Faces that mothers and fathers tenderly touch with a mix of love and fear.

Faces that get slobbery kisses from a beloved pet.

Faces that see hope in the mirror.

Faces that beam at a child’s sweet song.

Faces that carry the weight of the world in a way Atlas couldn’t even bear.

Face the facts, we’ve all been touched by breast cancer.