October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so it only seemed fitting to take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the woman in my life who has been affected by breast cancer.
The moment I received the phone call telling me the news was one of the worst experiences of my life. Every aspect of the remainder of that day had been permanently etched into my memories. I remember exactly where I was standing when I saw my brother’s name on my caller ID before he delivered the news of my mom’s diagnosis of Stage II breast cancer. I remember wanting to fall on my knees right there in the middle of the Silo. I ended up skipping all my classes that day and feeling distracted in my work and distant from my friends for a while after the diagnosis.
It’s now nearing two years since my mom had fought and survived the illness, treatments and surgeries, and looking back at the few months following the diagnosis, there are so many things I wish I could’ve told her and so many words I wish I knew how to use in those crucial moments when she needed me to be strong. But my mom proved to be stronger than anything I could’ve ever said to her.
I watched my mom undergo phases in and out of depression, and come out of them transformed into an energetic ball of light who was always smiling and creating positivity in every situation. I remember her telling me that ever since her diagnosis, she’s never felt disappointment or sadness because she knows now how to find pure happiness out of the smallest things in life.
The way she used her illness as a source of strength, empowerment and love has been an immense source of inspiration for me. She carries gratitude and love around with her to everyone in her life, and she’s forced me to rethink the way we form relationships and the way we should maintain them.
What I couldn’t say then, I can still say now.
Mom, you are the strongest person in my life.
You showed me that courage is something we all possess inside of us.
You proved that there’s a way to approach and overcome any obstacle if you surround yourself with people who love you and spread love back.
You showed me how to find joy in the smallest things.
You taught me that gratitude is the ultimate key to happiness.
You inspire me to be fearless.
This month, let’s spread love and remembrance for those who have been affected by or lost their lives to breast cancer.