This is a snapshot of October.
October is like an onion.
Onions are tearjerkers.
Onions have layers.
Layer 1: candy, jack-o-lanterns, costumes, and, in college, alcohol.
Layer 2: Awareness—Breast Cancer, for example. Pink ribbons on everything from cupcakes to NFL footballs; nonstop commercials asking you to “fight for the cause.”
Layer 3: The hundreds of thousands of people really fighting for “the cause”. People like Holly Simon.
While it’s great to get to Layer 2—to look beyond the sexy nurse costumes and scary movies— it’s another thing to understand what lies underneath it all: Layer 3. Layer 3 is more than the media’s obsession with the Susan G. Komen foundation helping some oversized and overpaid grown men wear pink.
Layer 3 is about the people—the fighters—who spend all twelve months of the year far too “aware” of breast cancer. Layer 3 is made up of mothers, wives, friends, activists, and rock stars like Holly.
Without turning into a ten-chapter novel about Holly and her undeniable awesomeness, I’m taking this one snapshot as an opportunity to remind you of what October truly looks like.
Holly Simon (pictured above) is the perfect example of what should be the face of October. Holly is an SAU mom, fan, and favorite. Diagnosed with breast cancer this summer, she’s continued to serve as a role model for women everywhere. She stands by her family, cares for her 5 children (4 of whom are boys—bless her soul), remains the face of her own nonprofit organization for people with disabilities and differences, “I Am Who I Am,” and does it all with—no exaggeration—the swagger of a champion.
Holly is tougher than any offensive lineman in pink socks (and prettier, too).
Holly, my friends, is the real MVP.
Holly is what the realest layer of October looks like; what October should look like.
October is like an onion, ladies and gentlemen, and don’t you forget it.
Got a second? Check out Holly’s website, http://www.iam-whoiam.com/ to support Down syndrome awareness month and acceptance everywhere.
Photos by Maplewood Photography- https://www.facebook.com/MaplewoodPhotography