Whether you met Traci once, or had known her for years, she truly left a lasting impression. I wish that I had gotten to spend more time getting to know Traci. At last year's event, many people spoke with me about the incredible woman that Traci was. Here's what they said:
Traci had an infectious smile. She loved life, especially her family, her dogs, and her students. She was funny [I've heard this a lot!] She was courageous. Even when she was in the hospital, and feeling crummy, people told me that she maintained her sense of humor and always smiled.
Almost everyone that attended last year's event and who knew Traci well spoke of her beauty - obviously, she possessed great inner beauty, but she was also beautiful on the outside - the picture above is just one example of how Traci embraced the physical changes that came with cancer. In Traci's case, bald was absolutely beautiful.
When I asked Traci's family about the things she loved the most, they told me that she loved her dogs. So much so, that they snuck Andre into the hospital to lift Traci's spirits [I think it worked, and Andre looks pretty happy, too].
Traci was determined, and she was a fighter. She was brave and kept a positive attitude. The picture above says it all.
Perhaps Traci's greatest passion - besides tennis - was her art. At the benefit where I met Traci, a few of her paintings were included in an auction [THOUSANDS of dollars were raised, in just a couple of hours...we were all SHOCKED - when people come together to raise money for a worthy cause, the outcome is often AMAZING!].
Traci's paintings were colorful, complicated, and deeply personal. For Traci, painting was a way to "let it all out," and express the emotions brought on by her cancer and her aggressive treatment. My Dad spoke at Traci's funeral, and he told those in attendance that one day, Traci would "paint the sky." My Dad and Traci's father, Don, were together at a work-related function when they spotted a beautiful rainbow. They both knew immediately who painted it.
Traci's memory is VERY much alive - her friends, family, colleagues, students, and community members still post on her Facebook wall regularly, telling Traci what they're up to, thanking her for the impact she had on their lives, and letting her know that they miss her. Traci's page has become a forum for those who love her, and it's an incredible honor for me to read these posts.
There is so much more to Traci's story. I hope you will join us on September 22, 2012, to learn more about Traci from the people who knew her, to celebrate her life, and to raise money for an incredible cause: the search for a cure for breast cancer.
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