better

I'm not feeling especially anything today, but grateful that for once in the last month I don't have to work on a Saturday night. I spent most of my day today at a Relay for Life event geared towards helping event/committee chairs form ideas for their own university events. Needless to say, being named the rookie of the year event for the 2008 year, we spent more time sharing our ideas that acquiring new ones (a disappointment). A huge topic of conversation today centered around telling our own story, why we relay. I have a hard time speaking in public about this, in fact the same song always plays through my head whenever I even begin to think of Relay for Life, much less share why I am so involved in the event. However, I figured since it is gauranteed to be the biggest event on campus this semester (including Ludacris) that I would share [here] why it is that I have become so involved with Relay for Life.

Among other things, a friend of mine passed away during my first semester of my freshman year of college. His name was Charlie and his story is great, having touched so many people's lives. I think I can remember a great deal of high school based on how determined I was to hold on to every single memory after he died, knowing I would never have that time back again. Charlie was the light in the room, the most friendly person in the crowd, quirky talented and incredibly intelligent. Charlie was the voice of the fans at all of my varsity volleyball games throughout high school, the lead singer of his band Fivestar Riot and eventually engaged to a friend of mine. I can recall countless shows the band played in and out of school, I still remember all the lyrics to their songs, but most importantly I remember the day we found out he was diagnosed with cancer. I remember the day he mustered up the strength to walk across the stage at graduation, and I remember his funeral. My graduating class was unlike others, we all were looking to get away from our small town, but when the news of Charlie's death spread everyone returned home. I had no idea just how many people's lives Charlie touched. I have never cried so hard having to look at the reality of how devestated his best friends and fiance were. Every single image of his service are eternally imprinted in my brain, a constant reminder of what cancer has the ability to do to the people I love. I relay not only to remember Charlie and his love for life, but to support the people who stood by him, people who are still some of my closest friends. I relay so that others won't have to feel the pain we felt when we lost Charlie.

I'm really hoping that dispite the last weekend in April's reputation, people will consider coming to Relay for Life. It is an incredible event and easily the best experience I have had in my four years at Quinnipiac. You can get drunk or study every other night you want as a college student, but no bar or test is as important as supporting friends and loved ones.