As I mentioned on Friday, this past weekend was the annual Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  The Atlanta walk was only 1 of 4 in Georgia, and 1 of over 200 walks in the country benefiting research towards finding a cure for blood cancers.  I’ve participated in this event several times over the years, but this year was different.  This year, instead of walking as a supporter I also walked in the memory of two very special loved ones, my Uncle Harold and my grandfather.

One of the reasons I love being apart of this event is the amount of support and community you form with your fellow walkers.  Every walker walks with a lantern (light the night, remember); red for supporters, yellow for the memory of a loved one, and white for current survivors.  During the walk, everyone is chanting and cheering each other on.  People are sharing stories about their own struggle with blood cancer or retelling memories of their loved ones lost to the disease.  In honor of my grandfather, I choose to wear a hat of his that I cherish.  I’d like to think I was bringing him with me on the walk.  I also chose to walk in my pink glitter loafers… You have your walking shoes, and I have mine.