pink and powerful

For those that know me… they know I’m not really all about the “pinkness” that comes along with breast cancer. However, this weekend I was tremendously proud of the pinkness.  I was honored to become a “Pink Power Mom” through the KidsII Foundation.  KidsII is the third largest manufacturer of kids gear – bright starts, baby einstein, oball, taggies, etc… Their foundation selects 8 moms each year who have faced breast cancer and are doing something positive to help others in the same position.   I met 6 amazing moms all doing creative and meaningful work all over the country.  One of the moms passed away before she could accept the award.  But, what a remarkable person she was.   The weekend was hard for me because at times I found it hard to “Celebrate.”  Unlike the other honorees – I can’t say I beat breast cancer anymore.  I am fighting it.   I am fighting hard.

I came up with a new perspective over the weekend.  For me, it’s not about life after cancer or life beyond cancer (which I used to say all the time).  But, Life OVER cancer.  There is life in the middle of cancer.  There are precious moments of life every day- from a child’s hug to laughter with friends.  This is what I celebrate.  and fight for.   I also came home from this weekend with a renewed commitment to see Hope Scarves grow in capacity and awareness around the country.  I want so badly to feel well enough to see this happen!  I love sharing our mission with others and seeing people excited about our work!

Most of all, we enjoyed the weekend in Atlanta as a family!  It was also bennett’s 6th birthday weekend.  So, we had LOTS to celebrate!  KidsII pampered us with gifts and treats all weekend. I think the boys were expecting turn down service last night with chocolates on their beds… ha!  The boys did the aquarium, legoland and ordered room service.  We had a babysitter Sat. night to attend the Pink Power mom Gala to accept a $5,000 check for hope scarves!

Today we are headed to Vanderbilt to meet with a doctor who specializes in metastatic breast cancer in young women.  I love my two rockstar doctors, but we are hoping to get additional information and input on the best next steps to fight this.   I’m exhausted and really missing life as we knew it.  We were supposed to go on a ski trip next week, I am supposed to be training for the mini marathon.  I am supposed to be going to the Young Survivors Conference in Orlando next week to share Hope Scarves.  Or not.  I guess right now we are supposed to fight cancer.   That’s the thing… you never know what twists and turns lie ahead of you on your journey.  It’s just the way you face your journey that matters.   I am trying hard not to mourn the life we had or be jealous of everyone moving forward in their lives.  I am going to focus on LIFE OVER CANCER.

I know there is much more to this journey.

with hope,
Lara