Jim, a police officer in Liberty Missouri, was one of the first people my wife, youngest son, and I talked with when we walked the Relay track. Jim volunteered his time providing security for the Relay For Life of Liberty. It was his first Relay. He talked about his own family’s experience - his mother had suffered from cancer. He also mentioned a young police officer in Liberty who lost his battle with colon cancer. Jim said he had driven by the Relay in the past in his patrol car; seeing it from a distance; but until this night he never attended the Relay. “It looks different up close,” he said, as he looked at the survivors and track walkers. Jim’s right. Relays, when viewed from a distance, have much in common. There’s a track, excited people, refreshments, tents, and track signs. It’s when you get close, when you start talking with the participants and listening to their individual stories…that’s when each Relay becomes very different…and very unforgettable.