Following the SIGNS was essential to stay on course. Despite knowing this, there were several occasions when I missed the SIGNS, caught up in a conversation with a fellow walker or lost in a sea of inner reflection. Fortunately the consequences were minimal as there was always someone there to re-direct me. I found myself thinking, if only this were so with life when I veer off track. It was a reminder about being present and paying attention, otherwise I will miss the SIGNS showing up in my life. And there won’t always be someone there to re-direct me!

There is an old expression that it takes a community to raise a child. After this past weekend I am convinced that it takes an army to support a cause. From the volunteers who coached me beforehand with my training and fundraising, to those who greeted me when I arrived, to the ‘Harley’ crew with their pink bra adorned motor cycles who guide us through the busy intersections, to the hundreds of cheerleaders who lined the streets with their rattles, and whistles and applause, to the kids with their lemonade stands in many of the neighborhoods, there was no lack of support. With each word of encouragement and the many random acts of kindness, I saw the goodness in humanity. How easy it is to forget this in the day to day busyness of life.

Then there were the walkers. A 70 plus breast cancer survivor who walked the entire route pushing a walker. A young woman who was eight and one half months pregnant. The young twenty-eight year old who’s father flew in from PEI to cheer her on - one year ago she was on chemotherapy as she walked. And finally a robust bald fellow named Sam who has participated in thirty of these walks across Canada, carrying with him a pair of empty running shoes. And of course, all the other participants I interacted with throughout the two days, each with their own personal reason for being there.

At the completion of the course, you walk the ‘pink brick road’ to the finish line, with hundreds of spectators there to welcome and congratulate you. It is an extraordinary moment. I saw a fuscia colored SIGN on my left saying You Go Sis – Betty! When I saw my brother and sister-in-law proudly holding the sign, I felt the full impact of this emotional weekend, collapsing in my brother’s arms and releasing the emotions welled up inside. My husband Jim was the next to greet me, pride sketched across his face. It was perfect!

The white arrow on a blue background will forever herald for me the side of humanity I want to experience everyday, the side called commitment, caring, and courage. It reminded me that what I hear in the news everyday, the doom and gloom side of the world, is a poor representation of the truth. Kindness and love do prevail; we just don’t talk about it. It is my belief that miracles occur around us everyday. The SIGNS are there, we are just not paying attention. There are many more good news stories than bad, they just don’t get reported.

What SIGNS are showing up in your life reminding you of the essential goodness of the world? Allow yourself to be inspired. Pause and notice the random acts of kindness and good deeds occurring around you. Participate. Acknowledge yourself and others. Be in the miracle of everyday.

Until next time,

Betty