I awoke Sunday morning (April 15th) to a cold & damp welcome from the weatherman. I was hoping for sunny skies, but a walker's gotta walk...2 degrees celcius & drizzle. Yay me!
I arrived at Fr. Ermano Catholic School in Woodbridge at 9:35am for Super Cities Walk for MSthe & things were already in full swing. The number of people at the "Vaughan Walk" was astonishing. I'm not even going to guess how many of us took part in the fundraising event.
People didn't seem to be as phased by the whole scene as me. I looked around & couldn't help but notice everyone's "sign" - where you indicate who you're walking for. In my case, it was for "All Canadians with MS". But as I circled around the room, I read the names of those who live with the disease; some even partook in the day's events. People of all ages coming together...even "nonni" - little, old people...bless their hearts. And, although I had a brush with MS, today made the disease so much more "real". There has to be a cure out there somewhere...
As a 10km walker, I was asked to follow the green signs & at 10:04am, that's exactly what I did. Less than five minutes into the walk, however, I was stopped by a middle-aged Italian man who was sipping his espresso & smoking a cigarette outside a bakery/deli. In his thick Italian accent, he asked me to explain why all these people were walking around with signs on their backs/fronts. Being a lone-walker (no team...no company) he either felt I was more approachable, or he took pity on my sorry butt! I proceeded to explain as best I could, without getting too technical. Immediately, he asked if I wanted money (LOL), so I mentioned that a donation would be graciously accepted... The guy zips into the bakery & comes back out with two twenties. Well I'll be!!! I attempted to get his info for tax receipt purposes, but he waved it off & said, "My name is Tony...the rest no matter...I hope they find that cure". In total, I submitted $850.00 - a far cry from my original goal of $500.00!
The route wasn't exactly scenic - they took us through the streets of Woodbridge. I had the opportunity to walk by many enormous, palatial homes...most equipped with three-car-garages, gargoyles, ferocious lions, ancient greek goddesses & the occasional Madonna. I kept myself occupied & tried not to focus too much on the increasing pain in my left leg by listening to songs by The Killers, Tom Jones, Mika, Barry Manillow, The Village People, Bowie, Celentano, Ricchi e Poveri...lol....and I had to repeat Elvis' "Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love" a couple of times (it makes me laugh). :)
At exactly 11:30am, I reached the finish line... so, taking into account the 5 minutes I spent gathering up that unexpected $40.00 donation, I made decent time - 1 hour & 21 minutes. Might I have done better? Perhaps... In the days prior to my spinal fracture...and before all my neurological crap started. Then again, I don't think I did too badly.
The sign at the finish line thanks us.... Ironically, I'm the one that's thankful... I'm thankful that I was able to walk the walk, when I know there are so many who can't. These events are great because we get the opportunity to contribute & at the same time, our eyes are opened to the things we should be most grateful for - things we take for granted on a daily basis.
So, folks...to all those who contributed in the form of a donation...or a kind word, I thank you dearly. Your support meant a lot; it kept me going when my lungs were about to give out (damn asthma) & when my leg cramp almost caused me to drop to my knees in front of one of those scary lions.
Thank you. Truly.
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