Race for the Cure

In Memory of

Lona Shannon Luck Topham

6/11/1970 - 7/6/2004

We were lucky enough to spend the Saturday of Mother's Day

weekend celebrating the life of this special woman. 

Lona lost her 4 year long battle with breast cancer

in July of 2004.  She left behind these two beautiful girls.

This is the first picture I ever saw of my girls.  Look how little they are!!!

The first time I met Alexis & Mia, I also got to meet Lona's parents, Terri & Steve. 

Can you imagine how scary it is to meet a guys kids and inlaws?

Terri was wonderful of course, she made me feel very welcome.

This year marks 6 years since Lona passed away.  We wanted
to honor her memory by participating in the
Race for the Cure Fun Run/5k

I felt so loved and blessed that we had 27 people sign up for our team.

Most of the people that came never had the chance to meet Lona.

But they love me and her daughters so much that they

came to support us.

This is Lona's sister Erin and Alexis, Grace & Mia

Scott & Olivia.  She was smart, she has several layers.  It was so COLD

Aunt Mel, Missy, Wendy & Lacey

Charley and Cooper

My best friend Megan, her sons and Mom and neice.

Grandma Terri and Alexis

Brothers: BJ & Scott

Lisa & Eric

My mom's first 5K

Here she goes, this is towards the end of the race. 

Doesn't even look like she's breaking a sweat!

My wonderful cousin Jessica and Aunt Di put together

a wonderful breakfast for us afterwards.

Me and my girls!

It was an amazing experience to see so many

people in one place hoping to find a cure

to such a horrible disease.

I didn't get to know Lona during this lifetime.  But I think we would have been friends.  She was

an amazing woman who loved her kids and would have had several more

if she could have.  She was an amazing artist who loved to draw,

scrapbook and create with clay.

She spent several years fighting a horrible battle

with cancer without giving up hope. 

I am so grateful to be able to get to know Lona

through her daughters, husband and her family.

I love her family.  They have been so accepting of me

stepping in at a time that must have been very hard for them.

I love my family for supporting me in something that was

very important to us.  We want to continue this tradition

every year, in memory of Lona, in hopes that we find a

cure in our lifetime. 

No child should lose their mother

no mother should have to leave their children.