Flocking

May 15, 2025

This past weekend, a group of us from KidsOutAndAbout.com took part in the Pink & Teal Challenge 5K Walk & Run, organized by the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester; the annual event raises funds to support survivors and those currently facing breast cancer across Central and Western New York. We’d signed up in honor of a beloved team member in the middle of her own fight, expecting a morning of camaraderie, costumes, snacks, and maybe a few laughs. But what we hadn’t anticipated was how it would feel to be part of that vivid river of a thousand people, all dressed in pink and teal, all there for something that mattered. It was electric. We weren’t just eight people doing our part—it was deeper than that. We felt connected, energized, and—at least for me—stronger than when we’d arrived.

I’ve written often in this column about how essential it is to raise kids who think for themselves—who question, who choose their values deliberately, and who don’t just go along with the crowd. I think that even more strongly now than when my kids were young. But Saturday reminded me of something just as powerful: that once we have done that work—once we’ve claimed our values and chosen our direction—there’s nothing more affirming than standing shoulder to shoulder with others who share our commitment and want to take the next step. It’s not about conformity, it’s about connection. Flocking with purpose doesn’t dilute our identity; it fuels a better future with our fellow humans.

It’s a lesson for all of us, kids and grownups alike. The world offers plenty of chances to be alone in our convictions. But every once in a while, we find exactly who we need in a metaphorical or literal sea of pink and teal, and it lifts us. Yes, one lone duck can paddle hard in the right direction and make a difference. But a flock can churn the water, rise in a wave, and propel us all forward.

—Deb