The first person I ever knew to have breast cancer was my
best friend’s mother. That was some 55 years ago. It was hush-hush. No one was
supposed to know. She faced a mastectomy, chemotherapy and recovery in silence
and alone. She survived and is still alive today. Her life is an inspiring story, but only to
the few of us who know about it.
Thank goodness the world has become much more open about
acknowledging and sharing the reality of breast cancer. We can talk about it
now and name it. We follow the very public stories of famous people like
Angelina Jolie and Amy Robach who have faced the disease and shared their
journeys. We can openly give our love and support to those who are diagnosed
and on the journey of life with breast cancer and celebrate the good news
offered by survivors.
What is evident to me is how we all cherish the life lessons
we are given from the ones we know who have been diagnosed and live with
cancer. We learn how precious life is and how it is to be celebrated. We
understand that we all thrive on inspiration whether it be from observing the
lives of the ones with cancer, from the stories they share, the poetry they
write or is written as a result of their inspiration.
There is such an amazing sisterhood surrounding the
community of breast cancer survivors thanks in big part to organizations like
Susan G. Komen focused on saving lives and finding the cure for breast cancer.
It doesn’t mean it is easy or that you don’t feel alone when
you first find out you have the disease. What is important is to know there are
a whole host of resources, a community of support and so many people who get it
and are willing to help others on the journey.
Some days, though, we don’t want to be the inspiring story
or to be the big support for others. We’re the ones who need to be inspired and
gain renewed energy from it. We need to find the inspiration and then share it.
As someone who lost a mom to cancer I personally know the
need for renewing the spirit and finding inspiration. Words can have such a
profound affect on us. Seeing words of comfort, motivation and aspiration can
truly help us to feel good and keep going. I so believe in this I did a crazy
thing and created a whole line of dishware to help people feel better, eat well
and savor every moment of life. It is called Celebrate: The Poetry of Life.
In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and all
of us who share in the reality of this disease let me share a cup of tea and a
little Celebrate inspiration.
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