I’m a little distracted as I write this Unorganized Territory. I’m thinking about the upcoming weekend— March 9-10—and my trek into unorganized territory, the Gunflint Trail.
According to my Cook County tax statement, I live in unorganized territory. But I actually only live about a mile outside of the City of Grand Marais. I can walk to town if I want to. The Gunflint Trail now—that is true unorganized territory. It must be—it says so on the Trail Center sweatshirt I received as a gift a few years ago.
And only in unorganized territory could an event like Mush for a Cure take place!
I’m looking forward to heading up the Gunflint—to my fisherman friend, Cory Christianson’s neck of the woods. The pink madness of Mush for a Cure has become a family tradition. I’ll be up the Trail on Friday and Saturday, March 9 – 10, hanging out with my kids and grandkids at Hungry Jack Lodge and at all the pink festivities.
I’ll be at Windigo Lodge on Friday taking pictures of the pink pajama party and of the coronation of a Mush for a Cure king and queen. I can’t wait to see the expressions on my grandkids’ faces when they see the adults—their parents and grandparents—heading out to dinner in pajamas.
Of course I’ll be ready to photograph the shaving of heads if enough money is raised in “The Bald, The Bold and The Beautiful” challenge.
On Saturday, March 10, you’ll see me on the ice by Gunflint Pines trying to get pictures of the adorable dogs in pink coats and booties and matching mushers taking off in the crazed sourdough start. Then there is a mad dash down the Gunflint Trail, with a stop by Iron Lake to try to get a few more photos. And finally, I’ll be hanging around the bonfire and party tent on Poplar Lake.
It will be very entertaining to see one of the new additions to the event this year— the Minnesota Jack Sparrow, a mushing pirate!
Another addition to the event this year reminds us that all the silliness is for a very good reason. Yes, we know that the money raised goes to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Mush for a Cure has donated $100,000 to this worthwhile cause over its six years. On its website, the National Breast Cancer Foundation states, “Our mission includes increasing awareness through education, providing diagnostic breast care services for those in need, and providing nurturing support services.”
A very worthy cause. But I think one of the most important aspects of Mush for a Cure is the celebration of life.
On Saturday evening, March 10, when it gets dark, there will be a “Release of Memorial Sky Lanterns.” Mush for a Cure attendees can purchase a pink lantern and decorate it with the name of a friend or relative who has been affected by breast cancer. Whether it is a memorial for a loved one lost or a tribute to a survivor, the lantern will be lit and released into the night sky.
I will purchase and decorate one for my grandmother, Tressie, who died of breast cancer when I was 13 years old. I miss her to this day. I wish I had had more time and more hugs. I wish she were here to see the silliness, I think she would enjoy it. Since she’s not, I’ll send a memorial lantern heavenward in her name.
I will purchase another for my Aunt Shirley, who became my aunt by marrying my rascally Uncle Bruce. She was one of the kindest—and wittiest— women I’ve ever known and she was taken from our family by breast cancer far too soon. She loved people and she definitely would have enjoyed the Mush for a Cure party. So, I’ll release a memorial lantern in her memory.
Then I will purchase another for my friends. I have several friends who have battled— or are battling—breast cancer. With a prayer for healing and health and gratitude for their surviving, I’ll release yet another lantern.
It’s a bittersweet addition to the madcap antics of Mush for a Cure. But I think it is perfectly fitting to take a few minutes to remember what the event is really all about. To remember that life is a gift and that every moment counts. Be silly while you can!
If I had given up everything
that my life was about … I’d let
cancer win before it needed to.
Elizabeth Edwards
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