Saturday, October 1, 2011

Life can change in a second

It's October 1st and it's the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  So, I met a few of my church friends this morning and we joined with about 1200 others from the community and walked in an "Awareness Walk".

It was a gorgeous sunny Carolina morning - with a blue blue sky and slight breeze.  It was a wonderful "feel good" morning.  We were all together in a sea of pink t-shirts as we walked through Murrells Inlet and across the Marsh Walk.   Some of the women walking wore pink beads to symbolize the number of years as a breast cancer survivor.  In New Orleans during Mardi Gras, women collect bead necklaces by lifting their shirts to show off their breasts.  Today's beads represented HAVING had breast cancer - and survived. 

Today was a celebration for sure.  Some doctors were there, the survivors, and the families - and others, like me, in the community.   We all took a little time this morning to remember that this beautiful life we have can change in a second.  A medical test can turn a person's world upside down.

I'm thinking of a friend from church who had this happen just a few weeks ago.  Not breast cancer. But cancer... discovered in her uterus, her gall bladder, her liver, and colon.  She's already had surgery and she needs more.  She has already contracted an infection too.  Life can change in a second!  

I don't mean for this post to be a downer.  I pray my friend will make it through - and will feel everyone's love.  I have several others friends who have recently finished cancer treatments and it's amazing how joyful it is!  We just had a "finished chemo" party for one of them.  I haven't seen the new movie out now called "50 - 50" but it shows how laughter can help a person get through the news of cancer, and the treatments and side effects.  

Why this post?   To stop for a second, and remind myself and you: LIFE CAN CHANGE IN A SECOND!  

We must enjoy each day and each moment.  We must stop and smell those roses, and not sweat the small stuff, and "live like you were dying"!   

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