Relay For Life

**NewPiperinNY** · 18th May 10, 11:12 AM

Hi all!

I have been reading but not posting all that much.. never have much to say.. BUT.. I have to tell you about my weekend.

I was contacted to play the Luminary Lap for Relay For Life this past weekend. It was one of the most memorable experiences I have had, made all the more sweeter playing pipes and being kilted.

For those who don't know, Relay for Life is a Cancer Society fundraiser that a lot of schools hold. They have teams of walkers raising $$ and awareness for cancer research. They sell (for charity of course) paper bags upon which people can people can write the names of loved ones (both survivors and otherise) that they would like to honor. The Luminary lap is one in which a pipers walks around the track while playing so that each and every bag can be read.

Having recently purchased a home, I had posted on Craigslist that I was an available piper for weddings, parties and whatever. The woman who contacted me had never been on Craigslist before but was stuck without a piper and happened to look about 15 minutes after I posted. She contacted me asking if I do any charity work. How could I say no?

I lost a grandmother to cancer when I was 17 and I was devastated. She was all I thoguht about while I walked this lap. I believe that she would be proud of her favorite (she told everyone I was... ) grandson.. It was an amazing feeling... walking this lap being followed by 300-500 people in silence while playing 25 minutes straight (which was about 15 tunes).. I am still in awe of the night. I am a normally sentimental person to begin with... but this is one of those events in my life I won't soon forget.

There's a picture I have found from the night... I will see if I can post it...

**cessna152towser** · 18th May 10, 11:40 AM

Guid oan ya laddie.

**brower247** · 18th May 10, 01:30 PM

As they'd say back on the sod, "Tis a fine thing ye done!" God bless you for giving of yourself to make others experience one to be remembered.

**NewPiperinNY** · 18th May 10, 02:00 PM

Thanks for the nice comments... I didn't mean for it to seem like I was making it seem I was tooting my own horn I hope it doesn't come across that way... ... It was a very moving experience for me. I just seem to keep looking back on it with fondness and wanted to share it with you all.