If I am honest, I have mixed emotions about October. As it approaches every year, I try to brace myself for it. I brace for the struggle of it because the discouraging moments are bound to come. But in the end, I find I am bracing more for the moments that blow me away and change me in a “well, I can’t turn back from this” kinda way.
It has become the busiest season for our family for sure. Just as I have barely gotten over the death of my beloved summer and we are starting to get used to the fall schedule of activities, my mind and to do list’s go into hyperdrive with all that needs to be done for the planning of our Annual Think Pink event. One would think that after doing it for the 5th time and having the committee that I have had the last few years, it should just be able to put on itself. But instead it does consume me a bit.
I realize that it consumes me for many good reasons. It consumes me because it has always felt like a calling that must be done and done well. It consumes me because it is a celebration of where we were and how far we have come and it must be Fun. It consumes me because of the burden I feel for so many that have to face what we did and they must be honored for it. It consumes me because it is an act of praise to the One that has offered me Grace upon Grace in past Octobers and throughout and He must have that praise.
This year’s event found a new home at the Severna Park Community Center and with the beautiful 65 degree October morning we had, it was a perfect spot! There was plenty of room to spread out and enjoy all the kids’ activities, the photo booth and this year’s addition of a DJ. We had so many wonderful sponsors and donors that made the raffles and silent auction prizes such a great success.
There were close to 200 people that attended this year’s event! We had the opportunity to celebrate 15 Survivors that were there with us, not to mention the many names of those that were added to our Pink Warrior banner by their loved ones. We are now well-equipped with all that was donated to continue to fulfill the Kit requests that will be coming our way this year.
To say a simple “Thank You” to all that came, that sponsored, that donated and that helped to plan just never seems like enough. Instead I try to keep with the tradition of creating a slideshow of all the beautiful moments that make October what it is for me.
Click below to see the photo slideshow.
Photo slideshow music: Diamonds by JohnnySwim