100 Days of Happy

Day 34 - Grateful for Those Who've Gone Before - April 12th

Tonight brings reflection, on two incredible people, who have blazed this trail before me.  I not only do I owe them my life but certainly their influence has molded my every response to overcoming this disease.  I speak first of my dear sweet mother, who battled this same cancer over 46 years ago. Little did I know then, she would set the bar for me to try and stretch for.  Her experience, so different than mine, included so much suffering, from the side effects of the unrefined treatments of her day.  Yet, she fought such a noble 7 year battle, never complaining, serving those around her, at any opportunity that afforded itself.  I watched as she selflessly made sure others always came first, and I was the benefactor of so many acts of her service.  I am so grateful for her example and her love, and will cherish the time I had with her!  I will have to work extremely hard to even be a fraction of the hero she was to me and so many others!  

Second, I am so grateful for a father, that showed me, when you fall off the horse, you buck up, get back on, and you better enjoy the ride from there. He was also one to never complain, always finding a power within to keep going.  I often think of his determination, even as his health deteriorated, in his later years, he gave all he had to rehabilitate and overcome his struggles.  I am so happy for the memories and example my parents gave to me! Somehow I never feel alone, as I explore this new journey awaiting me!