Taking a look back

It's a Throwback Thursday on Face book and after I posted some photos about the Two-Day Colon Cancer walk I participated in with my sisters back in October 2003; I decided to write a little more about the experience on the blog. Mostly because I've been laughing to myself for the last couple of days remembering the fun we had... that, and I figured it was a story worth retelling.
I forget who originally saw the ad/flyer/whatever for the walk...I think it was Elizabeth. But whoever it was Liz or Jen...they decided they were going to participate and then asked me if I would be interested in joining them. I know there was a certain $$ amount participants were supposed to raise or you could raise less money and be a part of the crew during the 2-day walk. I knew Liz and Jen would have no trouble getting the donations needed...but I didn't want the three of us to be asking the same people...and I'm not comfortable asking for things in general...so I decided I'd try to  raise the lower amount and be part of the crew. That way I'd still get to participate but wouldn't have to worry about the money.

Our friend Cheryl also signed up for the walk and Jen had a group of friends up in Virginia who participated. I think we had enough people for 3 or 4 two- man tents The first day of the walk started in Leesburg, VA. There were some opening speeches and Jenifer was one of them. I had to head out with the crew to the first stop. So I went off with the crew...while the walkers set out.

this is the "news" for day two of the walk...Jenifer was the "Marcher in Profile"-they didn't get it all straight...but it was nice anyway.

The crew served the walkers lunch...then we were on to the school where we all camped out for the night. What I didn't realize at the time was...there is a whole group of what I'll call "professional" volunteers. Almost everyone working on the crew was a full time worker somewhere...but on weekends the worked at various fundraising events. Most of the group I was with had just helped out at a two day Breast Cancer awareness event the week before. Listening to them was kind of interesting...I didn't know anyone...so I was sort of the odd one out, so I just sat back and eavesdropped on all the other conversations...haha. Heard them talking about the walkers at the previous event "who actually thought the crew was going to pitch their tents for them...hahah"...as I heard that I thought to myself...gee that's kind of what I thought....I didn't realize people would walk all day...then have to come pitch a tent before they could relax....So after we got things set up for dinner and knew what the plan was, I went and gathered the gear for our group and got started putting the tents up before everyone arrived. A couple of the girls had some pretty good blisters going so they were happy to relax for the evening. The first night's dinner had a Mexican Theme-

I have to admit I was thinking...tacos? for a group that includes people with colon cancer? Not always the best thing to eat when A) you already have digestive issues and B) you are sleeping in tents  set up in tight rows.....hahah...however no one else questioned it...so I never said a word.
That night the temperature was going to get down into the 40's...and when the sun went down it started getting chilly fast.

 Someone (in charge) handed out Mylar sheets to all of us...crew and walkers to help keep us warm. They did the trick. Well...when it was time to hit the sleeping bags...I had the "brilliant" idea that we should wrap ourselves in the Mylar sheet and then get in the sleeping bag...that way we'd stay nice and warm. It worked...until you had to move...hahaha The first time I moved around all you could hear was crinkle, crinkle, crinkle...like a gigantic sheet of aluminum foil being crumpled. Cheryl and I were in a tent together...we started laughing because our crinkling set off a wave of other crinkling down the line. Well...between the cold, the crinkling, etc...I got the giggles. Everyone else was settling down and I was trying hard not to be a trouble-maker...but I could not stop laughing.  Cheryl dozed off and I was lying there like a mummy...afraid to move...hahah. But I did...and always the domino effect started...hahah. Then I was afraid I'd fall asleep and not only Cheryl...but Liz and Jen and the others would hear me snoring...thinking about that made me laugh even more. At one point in the middle of the night...I decided enough was enough and I tried to get out of the wrap as quickly as possible...CRINKLING ALL THE WAY! hahaha I did venture out to the Port-a-Potties and ran into someone else (Liz?) from the group and laughed about all the crinkling and other noises going on.
I think I got a little sleep that ...but I really did laugh to myself all night long.
I had to get up pretty early in the morning(see schedule below) to get a hot shower before it was time to serve breakfast. I must say the trailer with the hot showers was pretty nice! We had eggs,fruit, ect and the most delicious sausage (apple wood smoked) I've ever had. again I thought sausage? for people with digestive issues...oh well) The walkers ate and then they headed out for day two of the walk. The crew stayed behind  to clean up and load up the tents and all the gear and eventually headed out to our lunch spot. Lunch was pre-packed sandwiches and chips, etc...so set up was pretty easy.

We set up for lunch in a nice shady park. The temperature was pretty nice by mid day...I was wishing I had changed into my shorts. I helped serve lunch to everyone and then Elizabeth, Jenifer and crew suggested that I join them for the last 6 or so miles of the walk. I was more than happy to do so...otherwise I would have had to spend the afternoon hanging out with a bunch of people I didn't know again. I had sneakers on, I like to walk.......so I was good to go.

Jenifer's friend in the blue shirt...I cannot remember her name....had some terrible blisters on her feet. She was determined to finish...so used the moleskin, etc as provided by medical crew. There was also some sort of famous ( I had no idea who he was) Fitness guy participating in the walk... he led some stretching exercises in the morning and at lunch time for anyone who was interested. At one point he and his group were walking near us and Denise? was struggling to put her shoes back on after one of our "pit stops". I believe he looked at her blisters and asked her how she felt, etc...I just remember her saying "F_____________! These &*&^% blisters hurt!" I think she made him a little  nervous...haha he did tell her...please watch your language. But we all kind of chuckled...because you had to laugh.We were also kind of  laughing at him...because he was moving a little gingerly himself...hahah As far as the walkers go...we walked pretty fast compared to most...however we had to stop at every mile marker to go to the bathroom...we being mostly Liz...hahahah. So...we'd walk past everyone...then they'd catch up to us while we were stopped  at the mile marker. We'd leave, pass them by and they'd catch us again at the next one. Towards the end...they slowed down and we passed them for good. We weren't first to finish...but way ahead of a lot of them.
The afternoon was lovely...we had some good laughs and when we weren't thinking about how tired our feet were...it was a lot of fun.

Elizabeth, Jenifer and Anne

The trees were starting to get some color...so I enjoyed that!

The route followed along a bike trail that eventually takes visitors down past all the monuments at the tidal basin...it was a nice place to finish the walk. The group all met up at the Jefferson Memorial. Rob, Shane and others joined us at the finish. I do remember one moment in particular though...someone from Bristol-Myers(?) maybe...or one of the doctors was  on the stage talking about research and promising advancements that had been made in treating colon cancer patients...and something along the line of "these days patients have a chance of living 5 years with treatment" or something to that effect. I think I looked at Elizabeth to see if she had heard what I thought I had just heard ....and one look at her and I could tell that she had. We didn't say a word to anyone else...but I thought to myself "Damn...we want more than 5 years!"...but decided... maybe we needed to just be happy with whatever we got and enjoy as much time together as possible in the meantime. I think we did....and it was close to 5 years (or a little longer) from the time Jen was diagnosed to when  the cancer finally won the fight. But at least for a time....things weren't so bad. We had helped raise some money to be used to raise awareness and hope for better things in the future. We also had some great stories to tell and and we did make the most of the time we got.

A Family Get-Together

John's family used to get together pretty much every Thanksgiving; not everyone always made it, but it was nice. After his mother died, that kind of fell by the wayside. No particular reason....it just seemed like the motivation wasn't there anymore. Well...with my family, when one or more of us is going somewhere, we just throw it out there...sort of "Here's where we'll be..if you can make it...join us!" and as a result you may find a group of Burton relatives here, there and everywhere at random times. I decided earlier this year that it was high time John's family did the same....so we suggested a get together at Disney's Ft. Wilderness. I just felt it was something important that they needed to do. Two of John's sisters have not been speaking to one another for several years...and I thought this might be a good way to get the two of them together; and maybe talking again. I suggested that being with the whole group would take the pressure off and without making a big deal out of it...the two of them could at least start talking again.

Brenna and Megan happy to be back at Fort Wilderness Campground again after many years

The majority of those asked said October would be best...so Brenna and I picked a weekend in October and took it from there. Planning didn't always go smoothly; (as you know if you read past blogs....)but I decided I was just going to keep on going and even though the whole group wouldn't be there...we'd have fun with those that did make the trip. I am so glad we did!

Lori was gung-ho from the very beginning. She managed to get 3 of her 4 kids there, as well as her dad and step-mother and her brother and most of his family.

We suggested Ft Wilderness at Disney World, because we have had many good times there over the years. I figured there was a variety of accommodations...from cabins, to tent and camper sites, to the Wilderness Lodge. I had hoped we could get a group together in the cabins...and even though that didn't happen, it all worked out. Turns out our cabin with a few extra tables and chairs set up on the deck worked. Most of the Alabama and Georgia group stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. We met up there on Friday night.

Bill, Sara( his great-niece), Kathy talking to Bishop (great-great nephew) and Sara's husband , Lance.

We lucked out with a weekend of perfect weather.....a little warm...but sunny and no rain was all we really cared about after a month with record rainfall!

We laughed when a couple happened to sit down in the area where we first situated ourselves, and Lance not knowing any of the out of sate crew promptly introduced himself to them. They shook his hand and greeted him...then I told him,,,Ooops...these aren't people from our group. hahahah

 We didn't know exactly how we were going to manage dinner with 19 of us...but we decided to venture downstairs to the self-serve restaurant and see what they had to offer. Not only did they have
a variety of options...there just happened to be a group of empty  tables right outside with plenty of room for all 19 of us. We sat down and ate and chatted and enjoyed each others company.
Next up was getting the whole group down to the dock to catch a quick boat over to the campground. Brenna had checked the timetable and suggested that we all watch the Magic Kingdom Fireworks and the Electrical Parade from the beach at the campground. She took charge and told everyone where we needed to go. She was or designated "cruise director".

Clarissa, Harrison, Bishop, Lance, Duane,Debbie,Lori,Elliot, Sara, Lance, Gloria, Gary, John

We had perfect timing....all 19 of us were able to load up onto a boat rather quickly...along with a few extra folks.

We found a pretty good spot at the beach and everyone sat and enjoyed the fireworks and then the electrical parade. Some of the group had stayed at the Lodge before...and I think some had been to the campground...but none of them had ever been down to watch the fireworks, etc, so we had a lot of fun. Naturally...while we waited, everyone continued chatting and getting to know one another.
Our plan for Saturday was to let everyone do their own thing in the morning and then meet at our cabin by 2:30pm for our cookout.
John's brother-in-law Mac and his wife weren't sure until the last minute whether or not they were going to come for the weekend. Mac hadn't been feeling well and didn't know if he was up for driving over, etc. Well, they did come on Saturday and I am so glad they did. (I knew Lori and Gary were especially looking forward to seeing Lou and Mac). Also, John's nephew Walter and his wife, along with two of their three children arrived late Friday. So we were up to 25 people total. John and I spent a  part of the morning getting set up; until Brenna, Josh and Megan were ready to ride over to the Grand Floridian for brunch at the Park Fare Restaurant. Brenna had researched the places that offered Gluten free selections, made us a reservation...and we were off. It's always fun to go to the Grand Floridian...I just love looking around the grounds. I have been to the character brunch before...once with Megan and her friend Arielle, and another time with Brenna and Megan. It's nice.

People watching in the lobby is always fun...and I love the fresh flowers, like this beautiful fall arrangement

Disney is a top destination for kids in the Make A Wish Foundation...so they go out of their way to work with any special dietary needs, etc. Each restaurant we went in, we told them Megan was allergic to gluten and they sent one of their chefs out to talk to her. Then they would take her on a "tour"  (in this case of the buffet) and let her know what she could safely eat. Then the chef asked if she'd like pancakes or waffles.....you should have seen her eyes light up. She requested pancakes...chocolate chip if possible.

gummy worms were an extra touch...she could have done without them...but this giant pancake made her happy!

I noticed two young teens at the next table glancing over at her pancake....they were wondering how Megan managed to get that! hahah Let me tell you....she ate every last bite. When she spotted the chef later, she walked over and thanked him and told him how much she had enjoyed it.
We also enjoyed acting like kids....(thanks to Josh for taking the pictures of all three of us)

After our brunch we had to get back over to the campground to finish setting up for the big event.
John was planning to cook hamburgers and chicken. Debbie & I had  made a couple of side dishes. Brenna and Josh had contributed a bunch of sodas, Lou and Mac brought the pickles, mustard, Ketchup....everyone contributed something.
Kathie brought a birthday cake, because as it just so  happened that Gary's 80th birthday was October 10th. We were so happy to be able to share that celebration with him...Lori and his son Walter, plus their families. We were also celebrating Lori's birthday ( Oct 15th) and Steve's 16th birthday.

John and I had an assortment of games on hand to keep everyone busy. Al let us borrow a pop-up tent and a Corn Hole set. Amy and Reid let us borrow their Bongo Ball game and I had a couple of Ice Breakers to help get everyone talking and interacting. They actually were doing a pretty good job on their own...but I wanted to get everyone involved. I had asked everyone to bring a baby picture or a favorite older picture. We hung them up and tried to guess who was who...this kind of worked...but we had more than one of some people and about half the gang either didn't bring one...or did...but forgot it back at their hotel room. Oh well...we made do....
Next I gave everyone a pen and a stack of note cards with different questions on them. I instructed everyone to ask a question to the person next to them...and then work their way around the "room"...talking to everyone. I think they weren't too sure about this at first...but it worked out really well.

the questions weren't hard.....things like are you named after anyone? What would you do if you could try anything and not get hurt? (top answer- sky diving,)

at one point my great niece Sara said..."those guys aren't even asking questions...they're just talking"....they she laughed and said "I guess that was the point of this wasn't it."

After we did this for a little while, we collected all the "results" and sorted them out.

the golf cart came in handy...hahah

Once we cleaned up from the game it was time to continue chatting and start eating. Dinner was followed by the whole group singing" Happy Birthday" to Gary (and Lori and Steve).

While a group of us sat and told stories (Mac was having a great time) Brenna  shuttled some of the group and some of the younger kids off to the pool for some fun. Between riding around on a golf cart full of people and playing on the slide, etc at the pool, the kids loved it. For Brenna and Megan...it was like old times....riding around on the golf cart.
So...our get together was a success. All the people who were worried about how it was going to work out (John...Kathie...???) realized that in the end, we all just wanted a chance to connect with one another and enjoy hearing each others stories and get to know each other a little bit better. We did. It's too bad that Sandy didn't make it...she would have enjoyed it. Maybe next time (several people are already saying "Let's do it again!") we'll get the rest of the group here...because I know they are seeing all of our photos on Facebook and saying to themselves...Hmmm...too bad we didn't go I'll start working on it. :)