I went home on Friday to experience Relay for Life for the first time...without question an event that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.
Bob Wetmore gave an incredible speech at the Opening Ceremonies.
Was so great to visit with him after the "Survivor's" victory lap.
Bob is a great man - so glad he is in remission.
Three of my best friends in this world got terrible news that their father had colon cancer last month.
Thankfully Jen, Jolene and Jody's dad had successful surgery this past week and he was diagnosed at Stage 1 cancer. Praying for a quick recovery for their dad.
Thankful the Madsen girls let our big kids walk with the Kerkhoff Krew in memory of their aunt Barb.
Andray and Roslyn learned a lot about Cancer at the event.
Without a doubt, every family is affected by cancer.
You are missed Barb...by many.
So thankful for Jody - she and I managed the "crew" of 5 kids during the event.
Our little Carrine holding her balloon before the official "release of balloons" into the sky.
Pictures don't do justice on the feelings that rush through your body when you see all those colorful balloons fly away in the sky.
Way too many family members and friends for Jake and I have been affected by cancer.
Carrine was mesmerized by these two "Duke" blue balloons that got stuck in the power lines.
I couldn't help but think it was Gpa Shorty and Gpa Andy looking down on us and smiling.
Pretty sure they had a mean game of cards going during the night.
I can't even begin to explain how emotional and inspiring Relay for Life is.
Seeing all those bags with names written on them.
But once those bags are lit, a totally different experience.
So thankful my Gram is part of the "Survivors' Garden!"
Jolene told me that there were nearly 4,000 bags set up at the event.
Was very difficult to find the bags we were looking for.
We finally found Gram Lingl and Gpa Shorty's bags later in the night.
Never found the bags we had for the Stang and Rausch family members...but those bags were lit and those people were remembered.
Especially Great Gpa Andy - both Andray and Roslyn talked about him while we walked along the paths.
What an incredible sight to see.
I've never been to another Relay for Life, but Gilfillan Estate's has to be the most beautiful place for this event.
We were on a mission to find the bags that we made.
Finally after dusk we found Gpa Shorty's bag.
Instant tears...I miss him every day.
He was a good farmer and even better man.
Grandpa truly was the glue that kept our entire family together.
The kids also learned a life-lesson on what a "Silent Auction" meant.
After Jolene explained to them how the silent auction worked, I was nervous to go back and see how many "Andray and Roslyn" names would be written on the lists next to the toys ;)
Thankfully they stuck to one special toy each.
Andray has wanted a Snow Cone machine for a couple years now and I was so excited for him when he put the largest bid in for the machine!
Roz put the biggest bid in for this Cinderella toy - way to go Babe!
(and of course there is a horse included!)
Ah, watching Roslyn and Kendra interact that night made me just smile and think they could be long-lost sisters. Looking forward to spending the day with those two tomorrow at the Twins game!
Our Madsen Girl crew - just missing Jen. What a night.
Cancer is a terrible disease - so thankful for the medicine and research we have in this day of age to help people survive.
God bless all the Frank, Lingl, Rausch and Stang family members (as well as our friends) who have lost their battle with cancer...thank you for fighting. And more importantly - thank you for showing us how to LIVE!
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