Reflections of Festival PINK Weekend--Mary Alice
Few events in life defy description, and this was one.
Friday night, acres of women in pink boas, tutus, cowboy hats, shirts, tuille, wigs, and everything else that can be put on a body paraded through the streets of Coloundra. (Even our supporters wore pink! Hooray for them.)
First impressions for me were the joy and energy of the women. The sweetness and friendliness of approx. 1500 survivors and supporters waiting for the parade to begin was so exciting. And what fun! The costumes kept getting more outrageous and innovative as new groups appeared. We also saw friends from other festivals and events--making the world seem so tiny.
Prior to the start of the parade we started to swap pins with women from Australia, Singapore, Italy (the most coveted), Canada, New Zealand, Tasmania, and of course the USA. Little did I know that the SWAPPING would eventually become a very big deal.
Throughout the week before the Festival we were impressed and awed by the sincerity of the welcome, the courtesy, and the kindness that the people of Coloundra showed us. But that was nothing compared to the reception we received while marching through the Main Drag in the little town. Storefronts, balconies, large trucks, and people were all decked out in pink. Six to eight people deep lined up in some spots, cheering and applauding us. We returned the favor by repeating our chants and songs over and over. We had overtaken this small town and then they, in turn, took over our hearts! We started shouting, "Thank you, Australia! Thank you, Coloundra!" meaning it from the bottom of our hearts.
At the end of the parade, we arrived at an oceanfront park for Opening Ceremonies. The most interesting part of the evening was watching our teammates show up in other team's shirts. Don't ask me how this was accomplished, suffice it to say this was the official beginning of the SWAP mania! (The most coveted shirts were the Missibittititti shirts--for obvious reasons.) It was precious to see everyone having so much fun!
At the races the next day, we were stunned and astonished to see en masse the number of women in pink who came from all over the world to race. And, according to the Tickled Pink team--they had " . . . one boob, two boobs . . . or None!" Guess you had to be there. And we were all paddling 500 meters in under three minutes--quite a feat! Strong in body, stronger in spirit!!
Of course the swapping continued. More pins, more shirts, then hats, flags, jewelry, and then almost underwear. Ask Gisela about that!
So much fun . . . so much camaraderie . . . so many laughs--it was an experience of absolute joy!
By the way--we won our first race too!
The next day through great luck, we were one of the twelve boats to participate in the flower ceremony. This ceremony was particularly special for all of us because in addition to all the survivors on our boats, we were able to look at the shore and see all the others-- so much pink!!
This, to me, is the epitome of activism for Breast Cancer. We are here, we are strong, we may be missing some body parts, but we want the world to see us and take note. We want newly diagnosed women and all survivors to have HOPE. It was all there on the shores and waters of Lake Kawana!
I am so proud of my team and all the other participants. I am stilled awed by how much this experience affected me.
Few events in life defy description, and this was one.
Friday night, acres of women in pink boas, tutus, cowboy hats, shirts, tuille, wigs, and everything else that can be put on a body paraded through the streets of Coloundra. (Even our supporters wore pink! Hooray for them.)
First impressions for me were the joy and energy of the women. The sweetness and friendliness of approx. 1500 survivors and supporters waiting for the parade to begin was so exciting. And what fun! The costumes kept getting more outrageous and innovative as new groups appeared. We also saw friends from other festivals and events--making the world seem so tiny.
Prior to the start of the parade we started to swap pins with women from Australia, Singapore, Italy (the most coveted), Canada, New Zealand, Tasmania, and of course the USA. Little did I know that the SWAPPING would eventually become a very big deal.
Throughout the week before the Festival we were impressed and awed by the sincerity of the welcome, the courtesy, and the kindness that the people of Coloundra showed us. But that was nothing compared to the reception we received while marching through the Main Drag in the little town. Storefronts, balconies, large trucks, and people were all decked out in pink. Six to eight people deep lined up in some spots, cheering and applauding us. We returned the favor by repeating our chants and songs over and over. We had overtaken this small town and then they, in turn, took over our hearts! We started shouting, "Thank you, Australia! Thank you, Coloundra!" meaning it from the bottom of our hearts.
At the end of the parade, we arrived at an oceanfront park for Opening Ceremonies. The most interesting part of the evening was watching our teammates show up in other team's shirts. Don't ask me how this was accomplished, suffice it to say this was the official beginning of the SWAP mania! (The most coveted shirts were the Missibittititti shirts--for obvious reasons.) It was precious to see everyone having so much fun!
At the races the next day, we were stunned and astonished to see en masse the number of women in pink who came from all over the world to race. And, according to the Tickled Pink team--they had " . . . one boob, two boobs . . . or None!" Guess you had to be there. And we were all paddling 500 meters in under three minutes--quite a feat! Strong in body, stronger in spirit!!
Of course the swapping continued. More pins, more shirts, then hats, flags, jewelry, and then almost underwear. Ask Gisela about that!
So much fun . . . so much camaraderie . . . so many laughs--it was an experience of absolute joy!
By the way--we won our first race too!
The next day through great luck, we were one of the twelve boats to participate in the flower ceremony. This ceremony was particularly special for all of us because in addition to all the survivors on our boats, we were able to look at the shore and see all the others-- so much pink!!
This, to me, is the epitome of activism for Breast Cancer. We are here, we are strong, we may be missing some body parts, but we want the world to see us and take note. We want newly diagnosed women and all survivors to have HOPE. It was all there on the shores and waters of Lake Kawana!
I am so proud of my team and all the other participants. I am stilled awed by how much this experience affected me.
Labels: Pink Weekend
2 Comments:
Dear Mary Alice,
The tears are streaming down my face and my heart is smiling broadly, proudly, in awe of all of you there and all that is precious about our organization. Today, I sold more socks at church, and it seems that everywhere I go with these colorful goodies there are people anxiously awaiting a chance to support our mission. HOPE is, indeed, the word that comes from our intentional living, and HOPE breeds strength and courage and inner spirit beyond what even we imagine might be possible for ourselves and others. PINK HOPE!!!
Thank you, Mary Alice. Thank all of you for keeping us with you this entire journey and for sharing with such heart-felt and joyful messages just how inspirational this life journey has been for you, and in turn for us. We humbly and anxiously await your safe arrival tonight at the airport. Safe journey and celebration with your families. Watch for our USA signs! Love from Lynne Balman
Hey Mary Alice--Hope you are on a beach and not reading this...or at least on a shopping junket! Loved your description of the festival--can't wait to see the photos! Safe travels,
Linda Mc
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