2009 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

My daughter, Jill, and granddaughters, Tierra and Amaya, came to Charleston to join Ric and I in this year's race. Together we celebrated my having survived breast cancer! Three years now. Although he passed away last August, it turned out my Dad was celebrating with us too. As we were walking along, a pink balloon that was tied to Amaya's stroller came loose, and I could hear my Dad's familiar little chuckle as he said, "This one's for me!" He was letting me know that he was there walking with us. We watched the balloon as it rose up in the sky. We kept our eyes on it for a long time until it became the tiniest little dot. When it was out of sight, I knew it was still there... we just couldn't see it anymore. And that was the message my Dad had for me that day: "You can't see me now, but KNOW that I am still here with you!"