Have you heard of “the butterfly effect”? It has to do with chaos theory; for example, that something as seemingly inconsequential as the flapping of a butterfly’s wings can have far-reaching impact on weather patterns.
For literature fans out there (yes, you!), here’s a little quiz, with answers below in Comments. Name two authors who have used a version of the butterfly effect in their work. Hint: One is a short story, one is a YA novel. Wikipedia is my source, so don’t hold me to it as fact 
Now, what the butterfly effect have to do with my Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, and why is there a picture of wings accompanying this post?
I believe that the fundraising efforts of this event, and the emotional impact it creates, will have far-reaching effects. I believe a cure for Breast Cancer will be found in my lifetime. I believe I will be touched forever by the 3-Day experience, and that I’ll be a better person for having done it. I believe.
When I walk, starting tomorrow morning, July 24, I will walk …
… In Memory Of
- Tony Yanatsis (from Amy)
- Gloria Turnheim
- Pam Champine
- Sandee Smith
- Aunt Bev (from Heather)
- Patty (from Kristine)
- Lucie (from Kristine)
- Kaethe (from Memory)
- Kathy (from Karin)
- Donna (from Karin)
- Judy C (from Stephanie)
- Mama Susan (from Dom, Eliza, and Catie)
- Jen H (from Greg)
- Lorida (from Natalie)
- Nancy (from Julie)
- Felix and Maria H (from Michele)
- Leila D (from Linda & Dave)
- Margy F (from Linda & Dave)
- Frank Z (from Linda & Dave)
… In Honor Of
- Debbie
- Carol Ann
- Stephanie
- Simone (from Ali)
- Aunt Donna (from Heather)
- Christie (from Heather)
- Debbie (from Kristine)
- Mary (from Kristine)
- Andrea (from Kristine)
- Susie (from Kristine)
- Susan’s friends
- Amy (from Sheila)
- Mary-Ann (from Zibilee)
- Renate (from Candace)
- Lisa (from Kaela)
- Debbie (from Kaela)
- Angie (from Kaela)
- Marie (from Kaela)
- Marieke (from Linda)
- D. Stoebs (from Kim)
- S. Touks (from Kim)
- Cheryl
- Patty (from Kathy)
- Cheryl F (from Ed and Debbie)
- Bonnie M (from Yuriko)
- Sue F (from Demi)
I will wear these names proudly on my wings. Nancy, my walking partner, has walked for the past several years as part of The White Butterflies team; her sister Ellie has personalized the wings for us (pics to come!)
Literary reference (straight from Wikipedia … consider the source!) “In the 1952 short story by Ray Bradbury, “A Sound of Thunder”, the killing of a butterfly during the time of dinosaurs causes the future to change in subtle but meaningful ways: e.g., the spelling of English and the outcome of a political election.
In Terry Pratchett’s “Interesting Times,” the magical “Quantum Weather Butterfly”, whose wings have finite area but infinite length, has the ability to manipulate weather patterns. These microclimates, which the butterfly uses to attract mates and fend off predators, play an important role in the resolution of the plot.”
I’m so proud of you for doing this!
A 3-day walk is just unimaginable to me, and so amazing that you are doing it! Best of luck! We can’t wait to hear how it goes and see pictures!
I knew the Bradbury story. It is one of my favorites.
Good luck on your walk.
Dawn, I will be thinking of you very much for the next 3 days . . . Thanks for doing the walk and have a good time!
Thank you for including my names. Good luck!!!
Thank you so much for not only including my Mom’s name but also mine on your wings. You are an amazing person and I am so proud to have met you!
You’re doing a wonderful thing! I’ll be keeping good thoughts about you all for the next three days! You guys are the best!!
I’m cheering for you!
You go girl!
Fiona
You are our hero! You’ll be on my mind, and we are behind you 100%!!
This post brought tears to my eyes as I remember a dear colleague … But it seems that another colleague of mine is going to return to work soon after treatment for breast cancer. Wonderful (as I hadn´t really expected that).
Can’t wait to see the pictures. What a beautiful idea.
Thank you so much for putting my friend’s mother’s name on your shirt. She’s been battling breast cancer for almost 10 years. She has almost lost several times but research has come up with new protocols and drugs that have kept her alive and well enough to enjoy life.
Dawn,
I really admire people like you. Thank you from all us women. My SIL had breast cancer at 39, and I am happy to say she is now 67 and going strong.
Reading this just gave me chills. I’m so proud of you and hope you’re having great weather for your walk!
What a great and wonderful post.
Thank you all for your words of support and encouragement – the emails and tweets I got along the way really helped me go step after step; I like to think the wings made the journey a little lighter, as well.
I’ll post a 3-Day Thursday this week (7/30) with details and pics from The 3-Day … it was an incredible experience!
Just saw a link to this post on the 3 Day fb page and hopped over…I walked this weekened as well (and had a blast, despite the rain!) and have to say that I LOVED seeing your white butterfly supporters and their spray bottles Saturday and Sunday! Hope you enjoyed the walk (and post your thoughts on it soon) and thanks to whoever had the fab husband and son that were helping keep us cool all weekend long!