Oh my goodness.....how do I even begin to tell you about today???  The range of emotions I went through today was like going from 0-100 km per hour!  I have been stressing about today for weeks.  Apparently my family have all known about this “Terry Fox Assesmbly” much longer than I.  Rebecca emailed me when I was down in the States and told me they wanted to do an assembly in my honour at the wrap up for the Terry Fox Event.  She said I would be receiving recognition from the Terry Fox Foundation.  I actually cried that day and told Bill I really did not want them to do this.  If they had asked me I probably would have declined.  I have NEVER viewed this event to be about myself....and although I know my circumstance threw me into the position of being the person that many of the kids wanted to dedicate their run to I wasn’t prepared for what that really meant.  In any case I have been thinking about it for a few weeks now.....trying to get my head around what I would say to those special little people.....hoping my voice wouldn’t let me down, knowing that when I get emotional it either goes super squeaky or disappears!  The dreaded Miss Piggy Voice!  In any case....I spent yesterday writing down all the things I wanted to say to the kids.  I have only done pre scripted speeches a couple of times.  Usually I am so comfortable standing up and talking to them.  Well, we arrived at the school and the first person we saw was Lori.  She was dressed in a Hawiian shirt.  I commented on it and quite honestly thought it was a little odd.  She is usually a pretty spiffy dresser.....this seemed a little unusual attire for her.  However....I had other things on my mind and after my initial thought let it go.  Then in came Terry’s class, all with Hawiian Leis around their necks.  The light came on!  They were celebrating my upcoming trip to Hawaii.  I had a small but lovely group of friends and family whom Kelli had invited.  My cousin Trish and her husband Gerry, one of my longest and bestest friends....Kathy, Bill and Kelli, and two of my retired teaching pals Judy and Sharron!  Of course Geoff and Lindsey couldn’t be there.....they are globe hopping and are now in Brazil and my Dad has not yet moved back to Calgary for the winter.  There were a few other special people I would have loved to have been there but they too are off in exotic locations!
There were some other special guests there from the Terry Fox Foundation, the school trustee for the area and best of all four former students who were previous recipients of the Terry Fox Award that we give each year to the student who most exemplifies the spirit of Terry Fox.  It was FABULOUS to see Jill, Rebecca and Amelia and their moms!  Then of course there was last years, and theyoungest recipient, Abby!  Missing were Savannah, Seth, and Tanner.  Guess their parents wouldn’t let them skip school today!  I was absolutely thrilled to see these kids!  Special doesn’t even begin to describe each of them.  The assembly began with a great slide show that showcased all these kids have done over the past several weeks.  Their run and their fundraising initiatives including the head shave, the bake sale which raised over $400, the used toy sale (over $700), the loose change jar (over $400) the online pledges (almost $7000) and of course other donations!  In total 300 children and their families raised over $10,000!!!  This brings our school total to well over $150,000!  I am so proud of every single staff member, child, and family that helped bring this event together and so appreciate the work and effort that went into it!  I was so afraid it would die when I left but it was as strong and as vibrant as ever!  Thankyou, thank you, thank you!  My family and I were holding it together pretty good until the second video came on.  Thank goodness the lights were turned down and the sound was up because after about 5 seconds I was sobbing and I know for a fact there wasn’t a dry eye in my section of supporters.  All I could think was “How will I possibly be able to speak to these kids after this?”  The video featured EVERY single student who had ever won the Terry Fox Award and each of them was describing person who was to receive this years award.  This is exactly how I used to present the award to them.  I would describe the qualities of that year’s winner and let the student’s try to guess who it was.  They always knew!  In any case after only a few seconds I came to the shocked realization the person they were talking about was not a child......they were talking about me!  I intend to write each of these kids a letter to tell them how much their kind words meant to me.  I think every teacher , hopes that they impact their students in positive ways and although we sometimes think we are doing that it isn’t often one gets to hear the kids tell you, as these kids did, what you meant to them.  Thank you kids!  I cannot even begin to express my love and appreciation for each of you.  I see you all growing up to be amazing young adults and I can only guess at the impact you will continue to have on the world as you grow up!  My family were all amazed by you!  For years they have listened to me talk of the kids at my school and I think today they got to see first hand exactly what I was talking about.

Thanks to Wendy Pratt, a member of Terry’s Team.  She spoke to the kids about her journey.  I found her talk so inspiring.  She was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 16.  Subsequently she has battled and beaten breast, lung and thyroid cancer.  Despite this she has raised three kids, has an adorable grand daughter and is living a full life, giving back by addressing over 1600 school kids.  Thank you Wendy.  You give me hope and inspiration!  Ironically Wendy is also going to Hawaii next week and will also be on the big island!  I’m hoping like heck we will run into her while we are there!  There was much more to this assembly and I could go on forever on the effort and love that was put into it!  Following the assembly the parents hosted a luncheon for us.  It was lovely!  I must confess I am emotionally drained tonight but this is a day I will NEVER ever forget!