5th Annual PINT 5K

well.. this weekend was an mixture of emotions..
we started off the festivities Thursday night at Brookhaven! Reese, Blair, and Jay played on the patio as we danced the night away and caught up with old friends! We always have a great time at our pre-race party.. this year though, we all had heavy hearts.. this year marked the 5th anniversary of Scarlet's passing. We all remember exactly where we were at 7:45 that horrible morning.. we were all saying our final goodbye's.. i tear up thinking about it every time. I walked in the room after she had passed.. held her hand and told her that i was glad her toe nails and fingernails were painted because everyone who knew Car Car knew that she went no where without them done.. I'm Really Not a Waitress was her favorite OPI color! After trying to joke, I just couldn't do it! I bent down and kissed her bald head and told her how proud I was of her and how much I knew I would miss her! That was quite possibly the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life!
Back to the story... Thursday night was beautiful.. towards the end of the night, Reese, Scarlet's brother played her favorite song.. Simple Man! As we always do, we gathered on the dance floor and giggled at what a horrible dancer Scarlet was and that all she would ever do is stomp her feet to the music.. she even broke the heel off her boot stomping once.. long story!! After we dance a bit, reality sits in and we cry! We hug tight and cry together! These are the moments we cherish every year! These are the moments that make us want to carry on and help educate people about this horrible disease that is melanoma!
Friday came.. quicker than any of us really wanted :) Friday would have been Scarlet's 33rd birthday! yep.. you didn't read it wrong.. she died the day before her birthday! Just when you think it couldn't get worse.. We had to bury her on her birthday! Ugh.. We all gathered in the parking lot of the Marsh Building and took to our duties in order to make sure our race went off without a hitch.. As the runners came in and started registering.. we sit in amazement and watch the bib numbers get higher and higher.. it starts to make my throat get lumpy.. We corralled the runners to the start line as the committee gathers to watch them start.. it gets me every time.. we had 500 runners this year!!! whoo hoo! that is our goal!!
Once the runners start to cross the finish line, we sit there and cheer for each and every one because we are so proud they are running/walking to help us raise awareness! We headed up to the awards table once the participants were in and enjoying the beverages and food.. this year we had red balloons that the committee and family members signed and released to Heaven! I know Scarlet probably laughed at some of the messages! Goodness I miss her!!!
After the race.. most of us part ways and go somewhere to relax and release! like I said.. this day is extremely emotional for all of us.
Then comes Saturday! Boy to we use this day to release! Yikes... we all huddle at Steve and Vicki's house (Scarlet's dad and step mom) They have a pool and a wonderful house what will allow all of us to gather in the same place and hang out. I won't tell too many stories from this day because most of us get silly and make fools of ourselves! But you wanna know what.. there is not one of us that would want to be with anyone else on this day! We have a strange relationship that only we could understand!
Saturday was also my mom's birthday!! Yeah.. talk about a jammed packed emotional weekend for me! For those of you who read and know.. my mom almost died a year ago! Yikes.. to lose my mom and my best friend in a matter of days would be a horribly tragic. I don't know that I could have taken it.. God knew that and spared her! Her heart day is officially August 16th! That will mark her one year anniversary from her heart episode!
Well.. I think that about catches you up! This weeks blogs will be good.. stay tuned.. Tomorrow is my niece's 1st birthday!! man how a year has flown by!! We are having her Minnie Mouse themed party this weekend! I can't wait to see her face! eekkk.. soo exciting.. until then.. do something nice for yourself!!
ooo.. pics from this weekend to follow!!! :)
Carrie