Roz on the Road

On The Road To The Avon Walk For Breast Cancer

No, it's not October - it isn't even May.  We're not surrounded by everything "pink" - it's February and we're surrounded by snow!  Yet for some reason I have recently been asked by numerous organizations to speak as a breast cancer survivor at their events.  I am always flattered by these requests.  What many of you may not know - the speaking engagements turn out to be as inspirational for me as for the thousands of women (and men) in the audience! I love the energy, the interaction, the respect for our mutual journeys.

That being said, I have taken on a new challenge.  I've signed up for the Avon 2-day Walk For Breast Cancer in Chicago, June 1st and 2nd.  It's more than just a personal challenge; it's a way for me to connect with thousands of survivors, friends and family of survivors, and those passionate about helping to find a cure.

I thought long and hard about making this committment, as it is not an easy task!  I will be training for the next 3 months, walking several miles 4 to 5 days a week.  My biggest concern was not the physical aspect, but the time factor.  Then again, my philosophy has always been, I'm at my best when I'm busiest!  In order to keep myself motivated, I enlisted a partner - my 17 year old daughter!

Sara will be training with me as we motivate each other!  She'll help me document, I'll help her fundraise. Together we're unstoppable! 

I invite you to follow our journey as I will be blogging up until and throughout the walk.  You'll be able to find me on line, on Facebook and on Twitter.  I welcome your comments and any helpful hints from those of you who have tackled this before.  But most of all, I appreciate the support you've shown me, since my diagnosis in June 2006.

To learn more, visit my Personal Page http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk/Chicago?px=3458378&pg=personal&fr_id=2210

Wish me luck - I'm in it to end it!

On The Road to the Happiest Place on Earth!

I am on a "Birthday Adventure Weekend" celebrating my daughter's 16th birthday.  I've taken her and her 2 BFFs to Disney World!

Let me preface this by saying I love being a mom - I wouldn't give it up for anything (all you parents out there know what I'm talkin' about!)  I call this an adventure, because that's what it is - all the planning in the world couldn't have prepared me for this experience.

I knew it was going to be a good weekend when I realized all the lines at the popular rides averaged 10 minutes!  Only 10 minutes for Space Mountain?  Unheard of!  We hit all the hot spots at the Magic Kingdom, and just as we were leaving the Enchanted Tiki Room to head back to our hotel to get ready for dinner, we got caught in a torrential downpour!  It's Florida, it rains, did I bring ponchos, and umbrella, a plastic bag?! Of course not!  We get to the hotel looking like drowned rats, but lo and behold, Mickey has left a "birthday surprise" in our room.  The look on my daughter's face - priceless.

Parenthood is and adventure, from the moment you receive the news you're expecting, to each milestone beyond.  it isn't always easy, and each phase has its own unique struggles.  The "terrible twos" are nothing compared to the "terrible teens!"  But something magical happened on this trip;  my daughter, in typical teen fashion, rolled her eyes and raised her voice to me during a minor disagreement - but shortly afterward, she pulled me aside and whispered, "I'm sorry for yelling mom. Thank you so much for doing this trip!"  Later that night, while we were watching the magnificent fireworks at EPCOT, she slipped her hand in mine, leaned her head on my shoulder and thanked me again.  "I love you mom; I'll remember this trip forever!"  So will I Sara.  And I love you too, more than you could possibley know.