The Sunrise Run

 Amelia has just been told about the job of keeping the flame going, to add light to the dark. It allows others to know where to go to reach the finish line, a guiding light. It seemed simple, just keep watch, lit the candle and keep the flame lit. She felt this job would be a good for her as she read the job posting. She went up to the building for the interview. 

 Taking a deep breath, she walked in. The inside was modern with white everywhere. The receptionist's desk was the center of the room. She walked up to the desk and asked the receptionist about where to go for her interview. She points to the hall and gives the office number to the person who is conducting the interviews for that position. 

 She opened the door to the office and the male interviewer welcomed her. Directing her to sit in the chair in front of the desk. He explained the job. It was for a race/fund-raiser. Her job was to keep a candle lit to light the way to the finish line, known as flame watchers. It would be in the early morning. Everyone would get a gift card to get breakfast after the race was complete. 

 It was to be a short run to raise money for people who have cancer and could not afford the treatment as well as raising money for further research for a cure. It was referred to as a sunrise run. People line the way with candles that they light as the first runners begin to come close. Each runner will have lights on them to be visible to those holding the candles but also to any traffic that may come around during the race. Once the last runner goes by the flame watchers will follow to the end of the race to watch the sunrise. 

 She became excited when the envelope arrived about the details of the race arrived in her mailbox. She took it over to the café to look over all the information. Amelia placed her order and took it to a table outside. Suddenly a woman slipped, catching herself on a chair at the table where Amelia was sitting. 

          “Are you okay? Do you need any help?” She asked the mystery woman.

          “Oh sorry, I’m okay. I guess the medicine is taking away more of my energy than I thought. Um, no I think I can get back on track by myself. Thank you. I just need a moment.” She replied.

          “You are welcome to sit while you recover.” She advised.

          “Thank you so much. I’m Lyndsey.” She said.

          “Hi, Lyndsey. I’m Amelia.” Amelia responded.

          “Are you participating in the cancer sunrise run?” Lyndsey asked pointing to the envelope.

          “No, I am working it to help out,” Amelia responded.

           “That is great to have people there just in case. It is a short distance but you never know what could happen.” She told Amelia.

           “What about you are you running or working the sunrise race?” Amelia asked.

           “I am hoping to run in it though my energy levels are a little unpredictable so I may have to forego it all together.” Lyndsey replied.

          “I hope it works out for you. I have to get going. It was nice meeting you.” Amelia explained gathering her belongings and getting up to leave.

          “Thank you. I do too. Have a good day.” Lyndsey said also getting up to leave.

 Each woman headed in a different direction. Each think, of their plans for the rest of the day. For Amelia, she had to get to class and sadly it was not one she enjoyed but it was halfway the semester and is required. Lyndsey had to go home and is hoping to get some rest since she is having energy issues. Then she had to think of what to make for dinner. She was in a hurry to get home to safely, just in case. Home was not far away and that helped. She made it home quickly and was able to take a short nap and prepare dinner. 

 The race day started early in the morning so that everyone would end up at the finish line near the point to see the sunrise. There was not a big crowd as this is the first type of race had been done in the area, plus the community is small. The first group to arrive was the Flame Watchers. Each was handed a candle with a cup under the wick to catch the drips from the wax as it warms up and drips down the candle. The running participates arrived later to begin the race. 

 Amelia was handed her candle and told where she was to be. She took a moment to look at the lights that were on the runners, so she knew what to look for. She walked to her spot to wait for the runners to approach. She did try the lighter to make sure it is working properly.

 Lyndsey was nervous to do the run but wanted to try. She would keep to the back just in case her energy levels dropped. She was frustrated that her husband tried to talk her out of it and was not there with her. She was not going to give up. . She made sure her light was on and that she was watching for the front runners to begin running. The plan for her was to wait for them to all to get moving before she started to move. Her heart was already racing as she was nervous, and she tried to keep taking deep slow breaths. She also kept telling herself the race was short. The gun going off to let the runners know they can start running caught her off guard. 

 She waited for the runners in front to get some distance from her. She started with a slow jog to get going. She did not want to burn her energy up too quickly. Off she went into the dark morning towards the finish line.  

 Amelia found her spot to wait. She could see the other flame watchers near her waiting for the first runners to show up. She was nervous about messing up. She was trying to stay awake and watch for the lead runners to show up. 

 In the distance, she started seeing the light flames lighting up, in the distance. She jumped up and down to wake up a little and be ready. She made sure she had the lighter ready to light the wick to light the way for the runners. She prepared to light the lighter once the runners began to get close to her. 

 To herself, she kept saying I am ready for this. As soon as she saw the light from the first runner, she held ready to light the candle. Each person lit the candle as the runners neared them. When she saw the closest one to her light their candle, she lit the lighter and then her candle when the runner came into view. 

 She held still and put her hand up to keep the wind off the flame so it didn’t blow out but she was prepared to relight it if needed. The front runners rushed past her. She gave small claps to them as they passed. She knew some of the runners are experienced so this was an easy run but for those who are not experienced, they may be struggling and there is nothing wrong with giving them support for what they did. 

 As the runners came by, she thought of Lyndsey. Had she joined the run? Where was she? Amelia did not know but she kept an eye out. She also did not want to pull her attention away from the race either. Thankfully for her, the group of runners was not supposed to be that big. To see those who had joined it amazed her. She had not thought it would be that many. Sure, people would donate but doing the run short or long is different. 

 She thought of why she had wanted to do this in the first place, for the family members she had lost to cancer. She remembered how hard it was to watch them go through treatment and be sick. What it felt like all the time and what it was like once they were gone. 

 She had been told her great grandfather had cancer. They did not know much about it so no one could touch him. Family members could sit near him but could not get close. By the time her aunt was diagnosed more information was known and she was able to give her hugs but her aunt was sensitive to touch so she had to be gentle. She remembered her mom taking her aunt to look at wigs as her hair started to fall out and the moments her mom help her aunts hands as she cried. Time seemed to slow down while her aunt was sick. She saw the man who had been part of her hiring process walking up to the podium to speak as the runners came to the finish line. 

 Lyndsey could feel her legs wanting to give up. She had stayed close to the back of the group the whole time but now she could see the end and wanted to get there. She was careful not to overdo it or to get in the way of another runners, but she was ready for this to be done. She kept pushing herself to finish the race. She did not entertain any thoughts of doing another one or running regularly right away. She just wanted to finish this one race then she could think about another one later. She kept going. 

 She saw the finish line was getting closer to her. She began to slow down a little as she crossed the finish line, then she saw him, her husband. He was there cheering her on. It gave her some extra energy to finish. She ran to him and gave him a slightly sweaty hug. He kissed her forehead and congratulated her for finishing the race. 

 Amelia saw the other flame watchers walking towards her to go to the finish line. She followed them. She had seen Lyndsey run by her. She had gotten a little excited that she had joined the group and made it to the finish line. Once she arrived at the meeting spot to hear the announcement, she saw Lyndsey with a guy. She went up to them to congratulate her for doing the run and ask about the guy. Was he her husband or a brother? Maybe a friend? 

              “Hi, Lyndsey. I saw you made it through the whole race, congratulations.” Amelia said excitedly. 

              “Thank you. It was rough but I just kept pushing myself through and it did not need help once. I got close to the finish line, I saw him.” pointing at her husband. “This is my husband, Jake.” She explained.

 Amelia put her hand out for a handshake. He reached out to exchange the handshake slowly, maybe he thought she had run too or she has cancer. Once he realized she hadn’t and doesn’t, he gave her hand a full shake. The voice came over the speakers loudly. 

       “Thank you to all those who participated in our first run for cancer and those who came to be the flame watchers. The flame symbolizes the lives of those who are not here with us as well as being the guide for those who are still here and those struggling with cancer. We are glad that you all could join us to help raise funds for those who need help with the cost of treatment and for research to stop the disease. We hope there will be more of these events. Please head over to watch the sunrise and do not forget to grab your gift cards to enjoy something to eat afterwards or another day.” The announcer said pointing to his left to watch the sunrise.

 The crowd turned and went over to watch the sunrise. Lyndsey and her husband were still hugging. The sunrise was beautiful to see but was quick and when it was over the crowd dispersed to head away from the finish line. Amelia turned to walk back to her car to go home.

       “Hey Amelia, would you like to go get some breakfast with us?” Lyndsey asks her.

       “Sure. Where are we going? I just need to go to my car, and I can meet you there.” She replied.

They gave her the information and headed to their car as she headed toward hers. The crowd of vehicles began pulling away heading for places unknown but they had all come together that morning with a common goal of helping the fight against a horrible disease that affects many.