My first experience with the Relay for Life was before my sister died of breast cancer. She was diagnosed in May of 1979 and the very next year, I wanted to take action! I went to an organizational meeting...picked up my team captain's kit and then wimped out. Too much responsibility, got to get a team together, got to handle $$...wow...I am overwhelmed. It wasn't easy and it looked and seemed foreboding...

Next time, I was invited to participate on a team the week of the relay...This was in May after my sister passed away in April of 2006...I tried to participate but my team wasn't that cohesive, I mean they may have been friends but I was just an acquaintance and I was so heart-broken that I couldn't stand the pain. I went for an hour or so, but I didn't really participate.

Third time, I am again invited to participate on a team. It's not really my "hometown" relay but it's in my area. This team has friends from high school and I feel a little more empowered. Time has passed and I know my sister would want me to participate. So I sign up and start sending out the emails. I brought in over $1,000 in honor of my precious sister. But still, I am searching for that team experience that has us giggling all night like a slumber party...