Breathe. Strike a match. Say the prayers.

These days, orthopraxy is carrying my morning devotions. I remember when I was at West Point, we'd get into night-long arguments about which was more honorable: doing something AS duty required, or doing it BECAUSE duty required? The answer was never certain, and I find I'm thinking about it a lot lately.

Just 48 hours from now, I'll be well into the first day of walking for the Breast Cancer 3-Day. I'm not at all worried about covering the miles. I've trained, and I have faith in the support that will be there, and it's just up to my body to simply put one foot in front of the other. What has more and more of my consciousness occupied is the feeling that I'm going very far away for a very long time -- it feels like a journey of mythical proportions. I'm not at all comfortable with so much being uncertain, though I respect their reasons for not publishing a lot of details, and the notion of setting sail into this enormous experience with thousands of people I don't know. There's even a teeny-tiny part of me that's scrabbling and screaming, trying to find a way out of it even now, which I can only admit to because that part isn't winning. :)

If you sponsored a body part, it's important that you email me directly Very Soon so I'll know how you want to be represented (LJ's friendly redirected emails reach me just fine). My attention to everyday matters is diminishing by the minute and I don't want anyone to feel like they didn't get full value for their donation. Also: I need a flag. We're supposed to pack a little something to distinguish our tents from the masses. Anybody got something compact that would make a nifty thing to mount onto my tent? (grin) They've sent me a list of cheering stations along the way. I'll try to remember to post it, though I have no expectation of seeing anybody...or of having you be able to see me if you do show up.

My ogham reading this morning was very reassuring: Birch (for new beginnings, and protection) and White Poplar (for bouyancy and rising above problems). The journey is about to begin. I will be going away, but I will not be Alone. Blessings to you all for getting me to this place, and for being my companions over these many miles.

Information for my adoring public. (oh, yeah.)

The Breast Cancer 3-Day here in Kansas City begins with opening ceremonies at (I think) 6:30 a.m. on Friday, September 15th at the Kansas Speedway. Closing ceremonies take place on Sunday, September 17th right around dusk (I think) at the Veteran's Memorial. Both events are open to the public. I have no idea where the tent city will be for the overnights and probably couldn't tell you anyway, since visitors are discouraged for safety and stuff. It's like boarding school or something. :)

Hey, zylch -- can you tell me if there are cots in the tents, or will I need to plan on sleeping on the ground? Also, how weird is it that "paint fingernails and toenails with pretty pink polish" is on my Seriously, Must Do list for tonight?

In addition, there are some designated "cheering stations" along the way, where it is safe for friends and family to gather along the route. I have no way of knowing how I'd see you, or how you'd see me, but here you go. Heck, I don't even know how I'm going to manage to meet up with my own family after the closing ceremonies so I can go home. Looking at where these mile markers are and trying to imagine how the route plays out has me slipping back into my old Rhode Island mindset: this is wicked fah. ( cheering stations listed here )