The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, more lovingly referred to as simply: THON, was one of the many reasons I chose Penn State. It's a year long fundraising effort, led by students, which culminates in a 46 (back then, it was 48) hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon. All money raised benefits the Four Diamonds Fund, at Hershey Medical Center.
In THON 2010, Love Belongs Here, I fulfilled my dream to dance.
It was early Sunday morning (I think?), and I was with my parents, standing knee deep in a bucket of ice water. I was leaning on my mom, crying because my body was so sore. The cold hurt, which made me cry even harder. But somewhere during the excruciating 10 minute ice bath, I forgot about my pain. Somewhere during those 10 minutes, a child walked into the room and I remembered what I was doing, and why. I realized that no matter how much I was hurting, the kids go through treatments far more painful than a measly ice bath. My pain was nothing compared to what they go through. I had to be strong. Their eyes were filled with life, love, hope and joy. This realization brought on a fresh bout of sobs, and as I stood there, weeping into my moms shoulder, I knew I was ready to finish strong.
Giving up had never been a question. But in those moments of pain and exhaustion...it was too easy to forget why I was there. It was too easy to focus on myself, but all it took was a glance from a child to remember. I would not back down, because those kids were my superheroes.
I remember blurs of color, salty tears, stiff legs, achy feet, and the smell of baby powder. But I also remember smiling, laughing children. I remember water-gun fights, and piggy-back rides. I remember getting a high-five from every member of the blue band, and I remember dancing and jumping with the kids. I remember rolling my feet on a water bottle while I cried through family hour, and the silence that filled the room. I remember the giant dance party that erupted in the final hour, and then, that euphoric moment, when I sat down for the first time, thinking: "I did it." Then, the earth-shattering cheers when the total was announced, as dancers collapsed with joy into each others arms. "We did it!"
Since graduating, I've struggled to figure out who I want to be in this world. I always knew that whatever I wound up doing had to be creative, but it took THON to show me that it had to be for children.
I am so excited to announce that this month I will be sharing my debut book, The Gray Days, at a Milk & Cookies Storytime Event at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. (Please note: This is a private event, for the kids and their families.) I am so touched to have the opportunity to continue supporting THON, and the Four Diamonds Fund in my professional life.
For The Kids, Forever and Always,
Ariela
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