I had a sister once
She had sunshine in her smile
She was everybody’s friend
For you she’d gladly walk a mile
When I see her in my mind’s eye
Jeanette’s forever young
When we lost her to the monster
She was only 41.
So that is why tomorrow
I’ll be racing for the cure.
With caregiver’s and survivors
We will beat the beast for sure.
And if my step should falter
As I am no longer young
Her ghost will run beside me
Until my race is run.
Perhaps you have a sister too,
Or someone that you love
Perhaps she’s a survivor
Of a battle bravely won
We must celebrate the victories
Each year there are still more
Until what was a feeble cheer
Becomes a mighty roar
So that is why tomorrow
You’ll be racing for the cure.
With caregiver’s and survivors
We will beat the beast for sure.
And if your step should falter
For you are no longer young
Your survivor friend will pace you,
Until this race is won.
Gather at the starting line
Young and old together
The sisters and the daughters
And survivors feeling better
There may be 20,000 here
The organizers say
They fail to count the shadows
Who will run with us today.
So that is why today we’re here
All racing for the cure.
Family , friends and lovers
We will beat the beast for sure.
And if our steps should falter
For we are no longer young
Our dead will bear us forward,
Until their race is done.
Dedicated to the memory of Jeanette Garafola, proof that the good die young. the world grew a bit coarser and colder when she passed. This is my poor tribute to a dear friend.