American Cancer Society Walk and Roll

We made it.

A special thanks to my sister Miriam Moore, daughter, Malaika Shuck and niece Camille Moore for sticking it out on a miserable, wet Chicago Sunday to bike for Cancer Patients around the world.

The weather was brutal, we started out in the rain and persevered in 22 mph winds to bike 15.50 miles in deplorable conditions. Our husbands and families thought we were crazy and really, who takes 12 year-old children with them in these conditions. Did I mention that it was cold, as well. Everyone knows how I hate, hate, hate the cold.

Well for one thing, we raised over $1,000 and secondly, Cancer patients don't get a break because it is cold and raining.

So, we dug deep and rode for 1 hour and 40 minutes, not always happily. There was some moaning and complaining and lots of "Te-Te, I'm never doing this again..." or "Mommy, I should never get in trouble again..." and finally, my twin sister gave me the "You know this is nuts look and why are we here again".

In the end, we made it and it felt great. Well, not the soaked to your underwear part, but it felt good that we accomplished this as mothers and daughters. Miriam and I never had the experience of riding a bike with our mother for joy or persevering through something and being able to laugh, want to cry and then feel the sheer joy of accomplishment at the finish line.

Our "girl power" was totally evident and I am proud to have completed this adventure with my sister, daughter and niece. I thank them from the bottom of my heart, as we biked for Cynthia and Letitia Reed. Letitia will never be able to bike, walk or run with her mother again. Cynthia died in 2009 and it was my pleasure to participate and raise funds for Letitia, so that a cure is found for all cancers, so that no other daughter has to bike or walk alone.

When it was all said and done, the four of us found the strength, we bonded and then we had a great breakfast......I relish giving my daughter the power to have this type of accomplishment and knowing that she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to, even brutal Chicago weather.

So, a special thanks to all of our sponsors and donators. An especially great thanks to Letitia Reed for putting the Cancer Fighters for Life Team together and may her mother know that she raised an incredibly strong and courageous daughter, that I am proud to bike, walk or roll with.

Peace and Love,

Sandals,

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women