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Storytime Tapestry Newsletter
The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural
awareness throughout the world.
Special Treat – Ellie Braun Haley
April
24, 2006
ENERGIZING THE SOUL
By Ellie Braun-Haley
shaley@telusplanet.net
Last summer I spend a weekend cheering on heroes, men and women who gave up a
weekend to walk 65 kilometers in an effort to raise money for cancer research.
I watched them and cheered from the sidelines. Their smiles and encouragement
for one another camouflaged some of the hardships they endured to make it to
the finish line.
A little over two thousand walkers, (2,281) walked proudly across the finish
line knowing their efforts raised 7.1 million dollars for the fight to end
breast cancer.
I drove my two daughters home when the walk was done. They were still on an
emotional high but the toll taken on the physical body was apparent when my
youngest daughter attempted to get out of the car.
“Mom, I’m trying to get out of the van but my legs are not responding to commands.”
Laurie laughed with tears rolling down her cheeks.
Within ten minutes of getting into the house, both girls began to shake and
shiver. Their exhausted bodies were shutting down, demanding warmth, hot drinks
and sleep.
Bold determination and courage lives within our families, and our neighbors. I
was a witness to it throughout that weekend.
I saw adults limp and drag themselves up hills when they were past what their
bodies could endure. I remember watching ladies bind up bleeding feet and
insist they
would continue. I watched as three individuals were taken off the trek because
the sun had damaged their bodies. They were shaking, first because their bodies
were traumatized and dehydrated and also because they were crying and begging
to remain . They only had six more kilometers to finish that day.
My youngest daughter, Laurie wrapped duct tape on her feet to prevent blisters,
but there was nothing to prevent the agony the muscles were going to have to
endure.
My daughters were determined to each raise $4000. in support of cancer
research. Their resolve would carry them through to the finish line. That and
the belief that we are meant to help others in this world!
This summer, July of 2006 both daughters, Deborah and Laurelei will walk again.
They have registered and already have been designated web sites with the CANCER
foundation.
Will you help them, to reach their goals? They walk for all of us and ask us to
get involved by reaching into our hearts and our pocketbooks and giving what
money we can.
It is unbelievable and humbling to watch the walkers, our heroes, as they walk
hour after hour in a trek to raise awareness and funds. I encourage you to be
involved in some way. When Cancer rears its ugly head let us all be united as
our abilities and finances allow us.
Laurie says, “I'm excited to do something this big in the fight against breast
cancer. This is so important to me and I know you understand why I'm asking for
your financial support. And I thank you for your support for my continuing journey.
I also ask you to forward this email to your address book and help me in OUR
FUTURE."
NOTE
Visit the Cancer web site. Visit the web sites of my daughters. Consider their
pleas to join them in the fight. Laurie’s personal End Cancer website, designated
to her by the foundation is
http://www.endcancer.ca/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1080&px=1136660Debbie’s
designated site is
http://www.endcancer.ca/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1080&px=1136658
Ellie Braun-Haley is an author of four books and writes short stories for more
than 20 publications. She says, "Love of others, energizes the soul.
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