Day three it was still cold when started. The first hour is always pretty chilly for everyone, but the first three are cold for me. We headed for down town Scottsdale for final ceremonies this year, it might be my favorite place yet.
The day was really nice, it got a little warm, but nothing like that first year. We took a break, but skipped lunch cause everyone was coming to meet us at the end; we decided to wait until then for lunch. Needless to say, we were hungry! The kids climbed in the trees while we ate our lunch and waited for final ceremonies.
This year my niece came to closing ceremonies with us. I'd like to point out those are my shoulders on which she rides...Remember how I told you I COULD NOT STAND UP for closing ceremonies year one? Now I've got a six year old on my shoulders, oh how far we've come. Anyway, how cute is she?
Her little brother and sister got in on the action also:
Final ceremonies are always pretty intense, you see all of the people, the survivors march in separately it's a powerful thing. They talk a little about the walk, and announce how much money you've earned, and then there's a lot of thank yous. It doesn't go on for too long, people are tired and sore and ready to go home, but they all stick around for the extra 30 minutes to bring the experience to a close. The crazy thing is, we do this because it's important to raise money to find a cure, without money, you can't do anything. And yet, it has so stopped being about the money. The money is a really important bonus to an experience that goes way beyond raising funds. It's three days where you stop worrying about the minutia of your own life and do something for someone else. It's three days surrounded by people who are strong and dedicated and inspiring. It's three days that will restore your faith in
humanity.
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