Waving Proud

~A victory lap (also lap of honor) is a term used in motorsports to describe an extra lap of the race track after the conclusion of a race. This lap, driven at reduced speed, allows the winning driver to celebrate his or her victory and gives the spectators an opportunity to congratulate and honor the competitors.~
      This morning my family got up bright and early to head to Zona Rosa for the Whisper Walk. 
From the minute my precious cousin found out she had ovarian cancer, she has been talking about how she wanted all of the family to do the Whisper Walk. It was late January when this hell started and only mid-February when she started chemo. Some of us wanted Tasha to take her illness day-by-day and concentrate on what was to come in the next days. No one wanted to think of something that was 8 1/2 months away. That is, no one but Tasha. You see, I think Natasha knew all along that she would fight her cancer right on away. And then, she knew that this walk, this Whisper Walk at Zona Rosa on September 23, 2012, would be her victory lap. Her chance to feel proud with all of the other proud fighters in teal. 
And let me tell you...there wasn't a chance in hell we were going to miss that baby girl walk her victory lap proudly in her teal shirt and jeans and head scarf and smile. Because for all of the fighting that Tasha went through, we, her family, were right next to her. Just as we were today.

We walked for so much today. We were walking for her diagnosis.  And we were walking for her surgery.

 We walked for the man that married her, made her a promise and stayed by her side through the entire journey.

We walked for her parents and family who had to go through their worst nightmare. A nightmare that no parent, or step parent, or mother-in-law should ever have to realize.

We walked for her sisters. Sisters that may have handled the news differently, but have love for her just the same.

We walked for her Comfy Chemo Party and everyone who stood united to show their support.

We walked for her first day of chemo.

And we walked for the man who would work all through the night and then come straight home, drive to KU and be by her side through the entire day of chemo. 

We walked for her "first" haircut.

And we walked for the one that we knew would be the hardest.

And we walked for that damn, hot wig.

And we walked for the girl who said "screw you" to the hot wig and for the girl who rocked a head scarf like you've never seen.

We walked for the strangers that showed their love.

And for the generous support and love that kept comin'.

We walked for shingles, and ear ringing, and hardened lungs, and hair loss, and steroids and all of the not-so-fun things because well, that was a big part of this experience too. 

And we walked for exciting, new experiences because of a fresh outlook on life.

 And as she and the other fighters crossed the finish line and as I saw hundreds of other families that have been through this same journey, and as I saw cheerleaders cheering and people clapping, and the Doctors standing proud I couldn't help but cry a little. Because Natasha deserved that moment. That EXACT moment that she had been waiting for. The moment where she and her family, and her husband and her ovary and her scarf with her little, short, red curls poking out could finish the Whisper Walk and proudly wave that imaginary black and white checkered flag signaling her victory lap. 

You wave that flag, sister. You wave it strong and proud. And if your arm gets tired from waving your flag? Well then, your support system will pick up the flag and wave it for you. 

Just like we have all along. 

Oh yeah, and we walked for teal. Because after all... that is our new color.