As I sit and contemplate this year’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life, I am in awe! Our family has participated in the relay twice since 2002 after our daughter, Kaitlin, was diagnosed with a deadly childhood cancer. In years past Kaitlin was a torch bearer during the survivor lap of the opening ceremony; she and Andrew one year and she and Colton another. This year Andrew and Colton walked together and although it was not spoken I know they were walking in memory of their friend, Kaitlin Rose Richmond. The event chairwoman, Linda, shared big brother Tyler’s essay during the opening ceremony as my husband and I and our children melted into the crowd. I felt embraced by all. I missed Kaitlin terribly but held a vision of her from last year close in mind and heart of her balancing on one leg while stretching the other. Just as in months and years past the love of our family and community got us through.

This year I was asked by Gail to help with the luminary ceremony. Thank you for thinking of me, Gail. I would not have thought of a better way to honor my daughter. Every year we sat together to decorate our own luminaries in honor or in memory of a special person we held in prayer who had been diagnosed with cancer. Thank you Wendy for traveling so far from home. Thank you Lori and the rest of the committee members for providing the friendship and excitement my daughter would have displayed. Thank you for walking with me into the wee hours of the morn. Beautiful people!

About 4:30 a.m. I rounded the corner of the track and two teams from either side swarmed me with a group hug. Beautiful people. I don’t remember names of individuals or the teams but I will forever remember the embrace. Our family was pampered; the camper brought in by Westgate Homes to be used as the luminary headquarters became our humble abode for the evening, thank you.

The continued support of our dear home town is best displayed in the grand, second place finish of “Team Coupeville,” just steps behind our champion, and Lord, Jesus. Thank you team Coupeville and team captain, Miss Callie. Thank you for your dedication and support towards this cause. I have heard the word synergy used frequently in the past few weeks. The meaning of this word best describes what took place this weekend and throughout Kaitlin’s four-year walk in the cancer world:

“Syn·er·gy (snr-j) n. The interaction of two or more so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.”

I pray, for each one of us to continue to step out in faith, to holdfast with hope, and believe in comfort and a cure. Bless you.

Jennifer Richmond

Coupeville