PERTH AMBOY – Some of the participants of the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk enjoying the day at Thomas Mundy Peterson Park.
*Photo by Carolyn Maxwell
Just turn on the news. All you see is the woke agenda and turmoil all week long nonstop 24/7. If it isn’t people getting assaulted, killed, or oppressed, it’s the latest person who said or did something stupid and has earned a virtual scarlet letter.
It was finally good to have two back-to-back weekends, even though it was busy, it was stress free and fun – just what the doctor ordered. A lot of activities that were supposed to take place on October 1st were postponed due to the remanence of Hurricane Ian until October 8th.
October 8th was very hectic, but also a lot of fun. It started out with a joyful celebration of music, art, comedy, food, dancing, and games at the Hispanic Heritage Celebration held at the library and the parking lot adjacent to it. The food was supplied from local businesses. In that timeframe, we also went over the Victory Bridge to enjoy some of the daytime festivities in South Amboy at the Irish Festival which featured good food, vendors, music, dancing, and activities for all ages.
I then went back to Hispanic Heritage Celebration in time to see the Victor Quezada and comedians who performed with the Ron Snipes Comedy Shows and to enjoy some of the delicious cuisine. Then, I went to St. John Paul II Pasta Dinner sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and Perth Amboy Catholic School which benefited tuition and scholarships for Perth Amboy Catholic School students. Again, I was able to enjoy fellowship, good food, and desserts with people I was acquainted with, and people whom I just met who greeted me warmly as if we were old friends.
After church, Katherine picked me up and we went back to South Amboy for the evening festivities, which included music performed by a trio, and cumulated with a spectacular fireworks show that lit up the sky with color. Just looking at the American Flag flying with the sky lit up behind it was moving and made us so proud to be Americans.
On October 15th, I had a very, joyful, relaxing, exciting, and jubilant morning when I went to Thomas Mundy Peterson Park and took photos of the First Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. When they shot off the glittering pink confetti to start the march, I felt exuberant because everyone was there for one purpose – to support and celebrate those who are survivors of breast cancer or in memory of those who fought the good fight. When the participants returned to the park triumphantly, walking bristly, some with their arms outstretched in jubilation, they looked more energized coming back then when they left. I can see why, because you could not ask for a better day for walk. The temperature was perfect, and the sun was out, and there were just a few clouds in the sky.
There was food supplied by local restaurants including Jersey Mike’s and several vendors supplied goodie bags. As I was waiting for the participants to come back to the park, I sat on a bench looking out at the water and the scenery across the river. All I know is that all the stress I had from earlier in the week was released from my body. I had no worries, and I wish that the world that is in such turmoil could sit there with me and just enjoy the beauty of nature. Sometimes you just have to sit, let go, and enjoy the little things. C.M.
