You Mean It's Over??

Today was going to be our last cheering day.  As usual, we went to our assigned spot, and decided to find another one we liked better.  We found a park spot by a lake and set up shop.  This morning we were going to give out cards with a pink coin glued to it and a little poem that said,

Keep this little coin, to remind you of this day,
And all the miles you walked, down here in Tampa Bay.
We think you're really special, and we just want to say,
Thanks for all you've done to send breast cancer away!

It was our way of really thanking these women and men for walking 60 miles for this cause.  Soon the walkers started arriving and we started passing our our cards.

Today we decided to wear our pjs.  Our sign leading to our table said,

We overslept, but you didn't, because
YOU'RE AWESOME!
Thank you for walking!

We even had special sombreros with curlers - even Pini had a curler in her hair.  It was really amazing to see the walkers coming up to our table.  Some of them were really walking slow or limping and looking like they had just about had it (or maybe had walked 40 miles in the past two days).  Once they saw us and our sign, you could see the smile cross their lips.  They were becoming our friends, and our seeing each other was like seeing family.

It wasn't long until the last walker came past (the last walker was always followed by a bicycle dude, so we knew she was the last walker).  We loaded up our stuff (and Jeanne and Emily changed into shorts and proper shoes.  No, I didn't, although I did take off my hat) and we headed for lunch, this time at the St. Pete Pier, because that's where closing ceremonies would be.

After lunch, we decided to go cheer in the walkers as they headed to the finish and the holding area.  We wore our big sombreros, and it was so sweet to have walkers stop and hug us as they finished.  At one point, a walker stopped and asked if she could trade shoes with me (I still had on my fuzzy slippers).  Of course, I gave them to her, knowing how much better her feet would feel sans sneakers.

We stayed for Closing Ceremonies and cheered as the walkers, then the walkers who are breast cancer survivors walk in.  Many of them saw us and there were more hugs and waves and thanks.  It was so humbling and touching and I think we all were moved even more as the Closing Ceremonies were celebrated and the 3-Day Walk Weekend came to a close.

It was a great weekend that seemed long at times but went by too quickly.  But isn't that the way it always is when you're surrounded by the love of family and friends?

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The Good Stuff From Today:  3-Day Walkers; pjs and curler hats; lunch on the pier with Emily and Jeanne; cheering the finish; Closing Ceremonies; Ken picking up dinner and COCONUT CREAM PIE