"You were given this life because your strong enough to live it."
My past 18 years on Earth I have influenced by many individuals but the one who has influenced me the most is my mom. As cliche as it is she is my best friend and my hero. In October of 2007 my mom was diagnosed with Stage Two Breast Cancer. I remember every aspect of the day she told me, it was the worst day of my life. I felt the entire day as if I was moving in slow motion. Not too long after my mom told me she underwent her first chemotherapy treatment. It caused her to become very sick fast. The chemotherapy treatments continued and when my mom shaved her head and told me with an uplifting spirit that "She was in control, not the cancer." She cut all her hair off before the chemotherapy had the chance to make it fall out. This action that my mom first took is what opened my eyes to the extraordinary woman that she is. She went through eight chemo treatments and not once did she complain or questioned why such a terrible thing happened to her. Her faith in God grew tremendously within the next year and propelled her to go through surgery and radiation treatments. It was not until late June of 2008 when I was told "It's not about what happens to you, it's how you handle what happens." This opened my eyes to everything that had gone on in the past year of my life. That no matter how many times I questioned why this happened to my mom, being sad about it was no way to live. From that point on I became an optimist. The glass was no longer half empty but half full. My mom is THE strongest person I know. And that is no exaggeration, she is a gifted, talented, extraordinary woman. Without her being in my life I would not be the person I am today. She has inspired me to go after my dreams of changing the world and making a difference. She has shaped me into a stronger Christian and I am so lucky to call her my hero and my best friend.
"But those who hope in the lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31
"Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end."
Amy, this is such a wonderful post! Your mom sounds amazing! I'm so sorry that your family has had to experience such a tragic situation. Let me know if you ever need to talk about anything. I'll be here.
ReplyDeleteI love your graduation picture, and the quote right under it! That quote is my mantra in life.
Tiffany