Cancer Ends with ME

On today's episode of AWESOME ENCOUNTERS (it's a long one): this CANCER ENDS WITH ME pin has sparked a conversation. A conversation that would not have happened IF...
1. I didn't have this pin on my backpack (thanks Virginia for the pin)
2. I wasn't in front of them at Starbucks
3. The power didn't go off and sparked conversation with everyone in line
4. I wasn't planning on creating an "awesome encounters" blog today--which is the reason I had my backpack on in the first place!

So, back to this pin, this pin has been on my backpack for a few weeks now, and whenever I look at it I am reminded of the REASON why I joined Team in Training 3 years ago. I am reminded of my journey with the TEAM, and the impact that our dollars raised and training has on those around us.
As I was waiting in line to order at Starbucks, the man in front of me decided to pay for everyone’s drinks in line (there were about 5 of us in line), he said he wanted to express kindness and what better day than today. This act of kindness brought a smile to all of our faces, not because we no longer had to pay for our drink, but for the generosity of this individual. A smile was brought to my face in this moment. While all of us in line were placing our orders the power went out, thus the moment of conversation that was soon to arise. But first, with a move away from the counter, I hear something fall to the ground. It was this pin that had fallen off my backpack. Who is the one to pick it up but the woman behind me in line. As she is about to hand back the pin, she takes a good hard look at it, smiles, puts it in my hand, and says, “So, Cancer is going to end with you?”.
I say to her, I will do everything that I possibly can to make that happen.
And with this response, a conversation is had while we wait for the power to turn back on and for our drinks to be made.
She asked me if I knew anyone with cancer, and with that I began to share my dad's cancer journey with her. And she shared her dad's journey with me. August 2010 my dad was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. A cancer I had never heard of. January 2010 her dad was diagnosed with stage IV lymphoma. 4 1/2 months after my dad was diagnosed we lost him to this horrible thing called cancer. 6 months after her dad was diagnosed she lost him to cancer. We began a conversation on hardships of the cancer journey and the feeling of loss felt daily. She asked me how I get through one day to the next. I told her that it wasn't easy to accept the loss but I have found a way to remember him, to honor him, and to heal my heart. I told her about my journey with Team In Training- Greater LA Chapter, I told her how important joining was 3 years ago, how it has transformed my life, how it has brought me another family that shares in stories of loss and survival, and how it has given me the strength to share my story and to grieve. She asked me if I ever had days where I just want to break down because the loss is too much to handle. I said, of course. And I said, when those moments arise, I allow the tears to fall. Because a loss of a loved one is hard, the loss of a father is heartbreaking, and it's okay to feel those feelings. It's okay to miss our dads.
This conversation went on a few more minutes as the power came back on and our drinks were now being made. I ended up giving her my email, and the link to Team in Training http://www.teamintraining.org/calso/, maybe she'll join a coming season. She said she would look into it. I hope to see her in a purple jersey one day. We got our drinks, she said "Bye. Thanks for the chat, end cancer, okay?". I said, I'm on it.

I realized, yet again with this "awesome encounter", of the power of the TEAM. The strangers- turned friends- turned family, that embraced me the moment I joined the team. The people that I continue to hold a special place in my heart. The people that inspire with every day, every mile, every dollar raised.

Keep being AWESOME friends.

Remember: we have the ability to change lives, to spark conversations, and to make a difference.