Racing for the Cure

My sister Carrie, Sis Becky, Sis Janeil with her daughter Emma, Me and Mom

This is a picture of my mom 5 years ago.  It was taken only a few weeks after our family heard the dreaded words, "I have breast cancer".  Admittedly, this picture is hard to look at.  It's not that my sweet mom is bald.  She is beautiful...even bald (especially bald!).  It's that if you read between the smiles, you can see the fear written all over our faces. 

Today, I walked in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure as I have walked every year since my mom was diagnosed.  This walk and race is to benefit research towards curing this disease that affects millions of women, men and the people who love them.  It affects those whose doctors tell them they have cancer cells growing unwanted and uninvited in their bodies.  It affects those who undergo countless chemo sessions, surgery, radiation, blood draws, tests, sickness, nausea, exhaustion and bone chilling terror every single day.  It affects those who hold their loved one's hands while they lay on the couch unable to find the strength to participate in daily life, those who bring chicken soup on chemo days and those who clean houses or do laundry in an attempt to relieve just one burden.  It affects those who hold the shoulders of one they love as they look in the mirror to reveal themselves for the first time with no hair.  Someday, we will have a cure.  Until then, this disease will continue to affect millions.

As I was walking today, I couldn't help but think of the multitude of emotions swirling around me.  The sadness for the people walking in honor of loved ones lost.  The desperation of those fighting for their lives now.  The pride of surviving the trials of cancer.  The love of people united against a common cause.  But, mostly I felt gratitude.

This is a picture of my mom today.  She is about 3 years out of treatment and is cancer free.  We plan on keeping her that way!  I am so very grateful that my mom is still here today to walk with me.  I am grateful that she walks today, and everyday, with amazing strength (and hair!).  I am grateful that my mom never gave up.  I am grateful that cancer has taught our family just how much we mean to each other and that we can be grateful for

EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Here are some other pics from the festivities:

Sis Carrie, Mom, Me and Sis Nicole

Crowd at the starting line

Gavin, Rhiley, and Dylan

Mom got a flower from a Chippendale dancer.  This is a ransom photo if I ever saw one!!

Wearing her "Survivor" shirt

Early morning on the Las Vegas Strip.  Getting ready to walk!