My favorite time of day, is early morning - before kids are awake, before the dog is barking, before anyone is up and moving. I spend my morning with me, my Bible, quiet time in prayer - and of course my, my cup of coffee. As I am sitting this morning, I'm thinking about the month of October and all of the things it represents. I used to think of Halloween, fall parties... the beginning of the holiday season. Although, I still think of those things - Breast Cancer Awareness is now at the top of my list for October.
On August 31, 2009, at approximately 3:15 that afternoon I received a phone call from my dearest friend, that forever changed our lives. We had been waiting patiently for biopsy results. Although, you think you are prepared for the answers - you never really are. The nurse let her know that the biopsy had returned positive, and she did indeed have breast cancer. My heart sank, and I was literally sick to my stomach. I pulled over on the side of the road to listen, and honestly - to cry. That night, we both sat on her couch and cried. How could this happen to someone with 3 kids at home, that was in their mid 30's? I questioned God's plan. I simply could not wrap my head around the news. She was not only my friend, but over our many years together - she was family. We had been through so many things together - our first prom, our first car, weddings, divorces, funerals. the birth of our six children, and the deaths of loved ones. Never did we imagine that on of us would have cancer.
As her doctor's appointments were scheduled, her husband and I sat and listened, and anybody who knows me knows I asked lots of questions. Then came the next round of "firsts" in our lives, the first chemo treatment, the first day her hair started falling out, the first time we shaved her head. Then, we lined our boys up to shave their heads. As the year progressed, she went through a double mastectomy, another round of chemo, and then she finally reached the ultimate goal - she was cancer free!
As I look back over those times, I often wondered why God allowed it to happen? I look at the strength and courage it took, to fight the battle every day. As I stood beside her, and watched her fight this fight with courage, grace and integrity every day - there is not a person I admire more. I could only hope that if I ever had to fight the same battle, I could do it with as much faith and strength as she did.
So each October, I now reflect on my dear friend and her battle. I rejoice in the fact that I still have my friend! I cannot imagine what my life would be like without her! She is the reason, I take chances and live with no regrets! She is the rock, you can always count on and the who I love more than anything!
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