Today is my daughter Annie’s 6th birthday. It’s feeling like a really big one (we measured her this morning and she’s grown 3 inches since last birthday) and I just cannot believe 6 years have gone by already. I’m happy of course but there’s a tiny bit of sadness too with time passing so quickly…too quickly. Perhaps it’s because each year that passes is another year without my mom, Anne. It’s another year that my daughter has been denied the warmth, kindness, comfort and unconditional grandmotherly love that I know my mom would have heaped on her. It kind of boggles my mind that it’s been almost 17 years since she passed away from breast cancer that metastasized to her liver. I guess you never stop missing your mom and I’m just incredibly thankful that I can still feel her presence this many years out. I’m sure my funk won’t last more than a few hours – ya just can’t be in a funk on your child’s birthday! And, I’m off to Calgary tomorrow to enjoy the Annual Rethink Romp “Calgary edition,” which I know will give me a huge boost. The super-star volunteer team that throws our event there are fun, energetic and utterly inspirational. Many young women on our Calgary committee have had to face breast cancer in their early thirties. Some are young moms. Others are young women that are now struggling with fertility issues post breast cancer. Another, like me, lost her mom to breast cancer and is mourning that loss yet keeping going and building her life. With all the challenges breast cancer has thrown our way, there’s much in life to be very grateful for too.
The Romp will be amazing I am sure. Last year, Calgarians were lively and generous and I’m expecting the same again. Hopefully I can find time to post a few pics from the event on Friday morning. I’ll be very busy the morning after the event meeting with psychologists at Tom Baker Cancer Centre involved in supporting breast cancer patients, touring the new Wellspring location in Calgary (sounds beautiful) and then chatting with the executive director of Breast Cancer Supportive Care Foundation about the potential for partnering on some programs for young breast cancer patients in Calgary. She’s even going to drive me to the airport since we are time strapped – how’s that for western hospitality? Lots happening for Rethink Breast Cancer in Calgary. Hope to have some good things to report on when I’m back home.
The Romp will be amazing I am sure. Last year, Calgarians were lively and generous and I’m expecting the same again. Hopefully I can find time to post a few pics from the event on Friday morning. I’ll be very busy the morning after the event meeting with psychologists at Tom Baker Cancer Centre involved in supporting breast cancer patients, touring the new Wellspring location in Calgary (sounds beautiful) and then chatting with the executive director of Breast Cancer Supportive Care Foundation about the potential for partnering on some programs for young breast cancer patients in Calgary. She’s even going to drive me to the airport since we are time strapped – how’s that for western hospitality? Lots happening for Rethink Breast Cancer in Calgary. Hope to have some good things to report on when I’m back home.
MJ DeCoteau, Executive Director of Rethink Breast Cancer
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar