June 7, 2020
The world feels like a changing and challenging place right now, but this June 7th is a day full of celebrations.
Today is National Cancer Survivors Day. For the 5th year, I will participate in the Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K. It may be virtual this year, but the weather looks amazing, just as it has been since I joined the walk and I’m walking with my family so that’s what really matters.
A friend’s husband and the Castaways Against Cancer crew will take off from Miami and kayak to Key West to raise money for the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
And in my eyes the most important celebration today is my daughter’s 2nd birthday. Today we are celebrating life, but for me her life is what keeps me living each and every day. Today’s quote is inspired by her - she is always smiling, laughing and is always non-stop. One of her favorite’s (Mimi’s favorite as she would say) is shouting ‘hooray’ when reading a favorite book, “YOU” or singing “If you are happy and you know it.” Her lively manner can wear me out, but the journey it took to hear her heart beat, her birth, the drive to bring her home and the first night we had her next to our bed makes it all worth it. She was meant for us and is just what my world needed! Every day she is ready to smile, shine and play which is what we all need to do more of!
After being diagnosed with cancer, I learned that I wanted to live more, smile and play. Some days it’s hard to do that - survivorship has been hard and the anxiety and depression I have doesn’t help. However, days like today - days of celebrating - get me excited to wake up in the morning! Today- I say… “Hip Hip Hooray!” Happy Survivors’ Day and Happy Birthday!