Behind the Button

A friend, cancer and a five year old post it note

...each year I do a cycling fundraising event the 24 Hours of Booty to fight cancer - it's an official LIVESTRONG event but also supports local Charlotte charities. The organizers asked if you could choose anyone - who would you like to have ride on your team in 2010...my answer

I did my first 24HOB in 2005 (my first cycling fundraiser of any kind) in honor of my cousin Dale Lewis. I'll never forget the impact it had on Dale when I asked him if it was cool that I ride in his honor. It really surprised me how much it meant to him. Dale and I talked often during the months running up to Booty - we re-established an old friendship and I know my 24 Hours of Booty efforts brought him joy and inspired him during the worst (and they were very bad) days of his fight with bone cancer. 

I've had an old post it note on my wall for five years - it simply says "Call Dale". That note was (and remains) a reminder to give Dale a call every once in a while - one of the things we talked about was plans* for Dale to come ride with me in 2006 - sadly Dale passed away four months after that first Booty ride. (Dale a lifelong dairy farmer lived in Woodstock, VT)

I am thankful everyday for 24 Hours of Booty for many reasons but especially because without it I would never have reconnected with Dale or found the inspiration to start a cycling team and to make the 24 Hours of Booty the first thing I put on my calendar each year. So who would I like to ride with?......I think you know

 

Corey Dunn | An Adventure Well-Lived

I have come to know some remarkable people since I started Buttons of Hope. One of them Becky Giblin called me this week to share another tragic story of loss...and life. As you may know Becky and Tom Giblin lost their young daughter Rachel a couple of years ago - she was killed while riding in a ms (multiple sclerosis) fundraising bike ride. As if that is not enough for one family...

Becky called because her son's good friend Corey Dunn died in a freak snorkeling accident over the Christmas holiday - Becky asked me to make buttons for Corey's memorial service. I have have come to know a few Moms who have lost their children and like Becky they have this indescribable strength to move forward (not on) just forward day by day and yet they too have the desire and the will to give back, to help others - the world is a much better place for people like Becky Giblin.

As with most buttons I make I did not know Corey Dunn (21) - but I have a son Ryan (18) so whenever I hear a story like Corey's it more than breaks my heart, more. I've said before that after making 100s of buttons looking at the picture I feel as though I get to know the person - I think it's the eyes. So when I read the amazing story of Corey's life/adventure today in the Charlotte Observer's Knowledge and Adventure Filled His Life I knew right away that was Corey! Please read the story I think you'll find a lot of hope in the words and memories of Corey's too short but BIG life. (You will find information on the Discovery Place Memorial in the Observer article.) 

There is no way the memories alone can overcome the grief and sadness BUT with friends like Becky Giblin I am sure that Corey's family and friends will at some point be able to move forward (you never move on) cherishing an adventure well-lived. Godspeed, Corey Dunn.