Last Thursday was Breast Cancer Awareness Day and all of Sarah’s classmates were encouraged to wear pink to school. Since Sarah is the Perpetual Princess of Pinkness, that was a pretty easy task for her to accomplish. She also donned a hat with her ensemble, since students were rewarded with $1 donated to breast cancer research for every hat worn.
Sarah had it going on in the pink department!
When she got home from school, I took a few more photos of her before she changed into her non school, non pink clothes. Since she happened to be walking around in her socks on a wood floor, she gave into the irresistible urge to do a little sock-inspired spinning and dancing.
After the dancing was done, a few quieter smiles were shared and another spontaneous photo session at the Smith House came to an end.
But the story doesn’t end there . . .
Last week, Steve and I spent some time with a woman I’ll call Ann. Ann is new to our community and has gone through some really tough times in recent weeks. On top of everything else, she had just returned from a visit to a doctor who examined a tumor in her abdomen and told her it will be have to be treated, either with chemo or with surgery. (Or both.)
Ann was understandably very upset and was especially worried over what was ahead for her. As a teenager, she had seen a favorite aunt with breast cancer die an excruciating death after being treated with chemo. Ann just wasn’t sure that she wanted to go through chemo because it seemed like such a horrible thing to endure. But then again, she also didn’t want to just give up without a fight, either.
As we sat and talked, Steve explained to her that over the course of thirty years, cancer treatments and chemo have made huge strides forward and the fact that Ann witnessed such a traumatic chemo experience with her aunt didn’t mean that it would be like that for Ann.
And then, briefly, Steve and I talked to her about Sarah, and what she went through with all the massive chemo that she received, especially in preparation for her bone marrow transplant. We ended up saying how well Sarah is doing today and how thankful we were for the treatment that was available to her.
Ann listened intently to everything we had to say about chemo and about Sarah and then she asked, “How old was Sarah when she went through all of that?”
When we told Ann that Sarah was just six years old, Ann’s jaw literally dropped open. She was completely silent and stunned for a moment.
And then a whole new look came over her face–a look of determination and renewed strength. She exclaimed, “Well! If a six-year-old can go through something like that, why would I ever think that I can’t do it? I am going to fight this thing and do whatever it takes and as I do, I am going to be inspired by Sarah’s story!”
It brought me such joy to see the change in her attitude and demeanor and to once again see some purpose in all of the terrible suffering Sarah went through.
Last Thursday, Sarah wore pink to honor me and my fight against breast cancer.
She wore pink to honor the mom of her dear friend, Taylor, who is just finishing up a year of breast cancer treatment including surgeries and chemo.
But she also wore it to honor–and to offer strength–to a person like Ann who just needs to be reminded that she CAN make it through the next weeks and month, regardless of the difficult challenges that will face her.
Cancer survivors are tough. And they are tender. They know how to laugh. They know how to cry. They know how to survive.
And they know how to dance in their stocking feet on a sunny afternoon.
Because they know that life is worth dancing for.
Beautiful photos and a beautiful post. It’s great to see Sarah looking so strong and beautiful. All the best to your friend as she begins her treatment.
Robin and Amelia, thanks for your encouraging words. I truly do love to watch Sarah growing strong and finding her beauty–inside and out.
I am no longer receiving emails either that let me know there is a new Smithellaneous post!
Donna, thanks for letting me know. I’m going to post in a few minutes with a question asking if anyone else has been experiencing these technical difficulties and then will try to get to the bottom of them!
Pam, I appreciate the time you take to leave such thoughtful, heartfelt comments. It was our honor to host you in our home and our honor to call you a friend. (Hope your back gets to feeling better VERY soon!)
First… it is so special to me to see your photos and KNOW where Sarah is in your house. I have been there… and that is one of the most precious things ever to me. And Sarah is, as always, lovely in pink. It’s just more special now that it is a tribute to you and all of the others who have battled and are battling now against breast cancer. Finally, there are many times when we wonder, agonize, and even rail against things that happen in this life. We wonder how it could possibly be in God’s plan. Many times, we don’t get the chance to glimpse His wisdom fully. We won’t know until we are with Him in Heaven. But to see Sarah use her suffering and her experience in the world of cancer to provide such comfort to others.. to be that light in the darkness.. it is a beautiful thing. I wish that Sarah hadn’t had to go through all that she did, but I LOVE watching her use it for good. She is not wasting her suffering… and she is creating a bright light all around her every day. Love to all of you…
Going thru Breast Cancer this year myself, I know I would think twice about having chemo due to a family members past experience with it. I made it thru radiation with second degree burns and I am still healing from all that even after 4 months. My faith in God has never waivered nor got hidden away somewhere. If not for Him and my family and friends, I don’t think I could have tolerated all I went thru. I am now Cancer free!! Praise His holy name!! 🙂
Kaye, so thankful to know you are through your treatment–as difficult as it was–and are doing so well!
Thanks Becky!
Amen! And Sarah’s story just keeps right on inspiring and giving strength to so many people. Love her sock hop on a sunny afternoon. Prayers to Ann. She will make it through, I stand firm on that prayer.
P.S. I keep requesting e-mail updates but don’t get them anymore. I was for a very long time. And, keep getting web page not found now. Not a big deal. I just don’t want to miss something, you know.
Mary, sigh. Technology is so baffling, sometimes. I have no earthly idea why you’re not getting the email updates; my small, little brain can’t figure it out! 🙂 I will keep on putting feelers out to people more technical than I am and see if we can find an answer. Thanks for your sweet words about Sarah and her “sock hop.” 🙂
Beautiful post, you always have a way with the keyboard 🙂 Sarah is lovely, as always, and prayers being sent for ‘Ann’.
Lesley, I do love me some keyboardin’! 🙂 Thanks for your sweet thoughts and prayers for Ann.