Cancer

Ick. Ugly word.
Every time I pray, I thank God for the things that He has given me, and I make a point to always thank Him for the unanswered prayers - those little (and big) blessings that I take for granted so much that I don't even recognize them. My NOT having cancer is one of those things that is easy for me to forget about... and sometimes I think that maybe I should forget that that ugly C word is out there bothering my friends and family - but then I remember that I enjoy life a lot more now and I appreciate the things around me a lot more now and I take better care of my body a lot more now BECAUSE of Cancer affecting my loved ones.

I do not have cancer. I've never had a "cancer scare." I don't have any family members or friends that have passed because of cancer (that I know of).

But, I do know people who suffer from it, and I am one of them. I suffer every time I read about a child with leukemia. I suffer from knowing that one of my dear friends is trudging through chemotherapy right now. I suffer remembering that my aunt Julie (Julia's namesake) had a double mastectomy just 4 years ago. I suffer when I imagine the fear that people must be experiencing every day as someone new is diagnosed.

And yet, I also rejoice and dance a victory dance. Julie has been cancer free since her surgery. Brent, from church, has also been cancer free since his surgery - which was less than a year ago. My dear friend is also a survivor and is fighting like a warrior. I rejoice with praise that my children and my husband are healthy. I also rejoice in the opportunities I have to make a difference.

With my well and able body - because my body is free from toxins and free from cancer and free from medicines and free from anxiety and free from exhaustion and free from (that kind of) worry... I rejoice that I have the chance to do something for those in my life (and beyond) who are suffering each day.

So, I'm going to be a team captain at the Relay For Life event here in town. I was team captain last year and this year is going to be even more fun because Rich is going to captain a team of men. Last year, our team raised more money at the Relay event than any other team that was present. We also participated in every game (at least one person from our team did... ) and we all cried during the luminary ceremony. There was a bond that formed between all of us who were there on the team. We all had something in common despite that we are all so very different. I was nearly seven months pregnant at the event last year, and I stayed up for the entire 12 hour marathon. I had a blast and don't regret any part of it.

Last year, I walked the track in honor of my Aunt Julie. This year, I'll walk it in honor of Abbey. And, while I'm there, I'll be thinking about WhyMommy (a blogger that I just discovered yesterday as I found many other bloggers linking to her since she is going into surgery today for her double mastectomy). And also while I'm there, I'll be thinking about the children who are sick - and praying that God will guide the decisions of their doctors. And also while I'm there, I'll be sure to NOT forget just how blessed we are. My little family of four. How lucky we are to be able to walk in honor of people, and not in memory of them. And how blessed we are to have the energy to do the walk in the first place. Praise God.