Last week I had the pleasure of attending a SEPTLA (Southeastern PA Theological Library Association) meeting in Gettysburg, PA.  It was even more of pleasure since I didn’t have to drive.  I’ve never been so I was looking forward to seeing the beauty of an PA autumn landscape and, if time permitted, checking out the Gettysburg battlefield.

It was a two hour drive so I brought along a scarf I’m knitting for my dad’s Christmas gift (more on that later), and a reading assignment for my Gospel & Acts class.  I met up with my co-worker at 6:30 am, giving us enough time to get ahead of rush hour traffic.  He was a 1/2 hour late, but we were on the road and chatting, almost non-stop, in no time.  I think we were both talking to stay awake, especially since I wanted to curl up in the backseat and go back to sleep.  Since sleep was not an option, I grabbed the knitting bag.

I knit three rows before realizing I completely screwed up the first row I knit.  I mean, how do you mess up stockinette?  Yeah, I was sleepy.  I couldn’t even frog it back the three rows because I couldn’t figure out how to untwist the mistake stitches on the end.  I gave up, frogged two rows and knit along until I ran out of yarn.  There was nothing else to do except pick my co-worker’s brain about theological topics I didn’t understand or interested in learning more about.

We made it to the quaint town of Gettysburg and it was beautiful.  I tried snapping pictures, but we were in morning traffic, following MapQuest and I needed to help navigate.  But, once on the campus, I was not hurting for scenic shots to take.  I mean, there were canons everywhere, so naturally I wanted to know how far away was the battlefield.  Well, dear reader, I was standing right in the middle of it. You heard me.  I was on the battlefield.  Apparently, the seminary was captured on the second or third day (hope that’s right) of battle by the Confederates and won back by the Union on day five.  The story was very interesting and I will definitely plan another trip to Gettysburg just to play “tourist”.   Until then, I got the chance to enjoy the campus.

Did I mention how beautiful the library was?  No? Well, let me tell you, it is so  beautiful (reaching for the thesaurus) inviting.  Dark woods, natural sunlight… and a real printing press! We didn’t stay the entire day and headed back to the city after lunch.  We also picked up another passenger allowing me to take full advantage of the backseat so I could “read”.   When I woke up we were more than half way home, and the conversation was in full swing.  Instead of interjecting myself, I sat back and listened.  That’s nice to do every once in awhile. 

A big thank you to all who supported Team Millie Mil this year as we took on the Race for the Cure. Every year this race takes place at the foot of The Philadelphia Museum of Art on Mother’s Day and it’s so amazing how many people come out to support the cause. It’s just as amazing to see how many people this disease has touched.

It’s my pray that one day I won’t have to get up at 4:30 am on Mother’s Day to pack up and head out this event. Believe me, I won’t be upset if I never have to see another child walking with their father donning a pink sign on the back of their shirt saying, “Walking in Memory of Mommy.”

But, this was also a day of celebration & inspiration! To see a sea of pink standing on the steps of the museum waiting to descend in their triumphant Survivors Parade, marching down those stone stairs with shouts and yells of victory. It leaves you speechless.

This year, our team doubled in size and our fundraising success did the same. I want to personally thank all those who helped us raise $600 this year.

• Anthony W. Trott Family
• Co-Workers of Charles Phy Sr.
• Edelene L. Carroll
• Eric & Renee Rapp
• Deneida Menefee
• F.S. Edmonds Elementary School employees and friends
• Georgia Ann Holmes-Durant
• Gina Kaiser
• Harriet & Leonard Middleton
• Jeanette McVeigh
• James Elliott
• James Humble
• John Holman
• Joyce Stroud
• Juan DeJesus
• Lynette David
• Mary Pace
• Michael Krasulski
• Molly Mclaughlin
• Robert Flanagan
• Sheilah Lewis
• Vicki
• and all those who gave from the heart

I would also like to thank my team, both old and new, for sharing their Mother’s Day with us.

• Mildred Staten (survivor!)
• Kenishia Cook
• Brian Chambers
• Mia Chambers
• Gloria Goodwin
• Diana Harrell
• Dana Jackson
• Charles Phy Sr.
• Kam-Marie Seghit
• Simon Seghit
• Paulette Wilder
• Brenda Williams
• Vanita WIlliams

What a day!

As you’ve probably heard by now, on Mother’s Day, May 9, 2010, the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure celebrates its milestone 20th anniversary! However, what you may not know is that I am taking this "milestone 20" one step further for my Race team, Team Millie Mil, billing 2010 as:

The ROARING Twenty !!

What does this mean? Simply put, I’m going to inspire, empower and unite every member of my team to ROAR throughout our community:

"Bring it on breast cancer… we’ve got the passion and the power to take you down!"

Like the original "Roaring 20s era," as Team Captain I’m setting out to change history — the history of breast cancer — by helping the Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure reach record-breaking levels of Race participation and fundraising.

I’d like you to—and, in fact, need you to — come along with me on this marvelous, fulfilling, life-saving journey as a member of my 2010 Komen Philadelphia Race team.

Doing so is very simple, yet can be one of the most personally fulfilling and honorable actions you take this year.  All I ask is for you to help me reach my 2010 Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure fundraising goal of $250.

Yes, I know this is an aggressive goal, but it is no where close to being as aggressive as breast cancer–a disease that strikes one woman every three minutes in this country.  EVERY THREE MINUTES! Imagine, in the time it took you to brush your teeth this morning, a woman heard those dreaded words, "I am sorry but you have breast cancer."

It’s a horrible thought, and one that the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate is fighting to erase from every memory… and to prevent all future generations from even being aware of.  This is why I am asking for your support.

There are two ways you can make a difference.

Join my Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure team

Join me… join US… and I assure you, you will experience:

    * Fun times
    * Meaningful relationships
    * Personal fulfillment
    * A journey you will cherish
    * An opportunity you will look forward to year after year

The power of numbers is immense when it comes to ending breast cancer, which is why as Team Captain, I’ve set a very ambitious goal in terms of the size of our team and our fundraising total. With your help, we can do it — and in the process empower people everywhere, save lives, and help assure our future generations of a breast-cancer free world.

It’s easy for you to join the Race as a member of my team, so please, take a moment to do so now. The sooner we grow as a team and start our fundraising, the faster we can all progress to the ultimate Race for the Cure finish line—an end to breast cancer. Simply:

   1. Click on this link
   2. Register for the 2010 Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure as a member of my Team
   3. Set up your Personal Page
   4. Get started fundraising!

Donate To the Team

Give $1, give $10, $25 or more–whatever you can contribute is appreciated and critical, for when it comes to saving lives and assuring a hope-filled future for generations to come, every penny counts!

You can submit your donations on my behalf:

• Online (the process is simple and the site is secure):  Visit my Personal Page to make a tax-deductible donation online or track my fundraising progress.

Race day is May 9, 2010, Mother’s Day so, if possible, I would like to have all my donations collected and ready to submit by then. 

Thank you in advance for your support.  Please contact me if you have any questions about the Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure or my personal Race participation.