Remembering women lost to breast cancer

This year’s race had many familiar elements of years past; appreciated thank you’s to the hundreds of thousands of men, women and children who came to show their support; inspiring survivors who walked or ran along the route; celebrities and politicians who put their 15 minutes of fame aside and talked of parents, loved ones and this indiscriminating disease.

But I was particularly moved by the yearly pink paper squares.

Each runner or walker with a racing bib can accept a pink paper square that reads, “In celebration of” or “In memory of” as a way to dedicate the day, the effort, to someone special. I spent a good deal of my walk on the verge of tears with the humble simplicity of these notices.

I recognized family members by these squares all running together in celebration of “sister Claire” or “Our Aunt Zizi”; pet names that were so personal, yet unabashedly shared with everyone in the crowd.

There were the creative ones and ones celebrating all women facing the fight with valor and grace.

There were simple ones that mentioned not just the name, but the character; “She’s strong and fierce.”

And there were poignant ones with names and milestones. “Cancer free for 10 years.”

But the pink sheets that tore me in two often read, “In memory of my mom.” It couldn’t be plainer and was particularly upsetting when worn by young adults, teens and little girls and boys in the crowd. 

I walked alone that day, but they walk alone with this loss for a lifetime.

So here we are again. Another October, another Breast Cancer Awareness month designed to educate, to donate and to eradicate.  How much longer? How many more? The fight continues and so does the heart. 

And although I didn’t wear the square this year, I will no longer keep the bittersweet loss of my wonderful friend Val hidden from view. She is one of millions remembered in my heart and on my back and I carry her with me whenever and wherever I go.