Pink Ribbon

I have wanted to do this post all month and I am just barely making it in before the deadline. I have a very clear memory of my winter break during my junior year in college. I was sitting next to my father on my grandmother’s couch at her home in Kansas City and my mom and sister were on the other couch across the room. My parents told us that my mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. They told us the doctors said her prognosis was good and that they caught the cancer in its early stages. After that the rest of the conversation was a bit of a blur. My grandmother’s house had a huge bay window and I just stared out the window in shock. My mom received a huge outpouring of support and our family and friends rallied around her. I remember my dad saying that her diagnosis drove home to him what an amazing community of friends they had in Tulsa. A little over a year after her diagnosis, the Race for the Cure in Tulsa rolled around and tons of friends showed up and walked with my family in support of my mom. As we approached the end of the race, I stepped back and watched my parents as they held hands and crossed the finish line. That was about ten years ago and my mom has finished that race every year. I love that the Komen Foundation does the Race for the Cure in cities across the country throughout the year. It is wonderful that October is breast cancer awareness month but the fight should go on all year.

Last season on So You Think You Can Dance one of the choreographers did a tribute dance for a friend who was battling breast cancer. I watched it and tears just streamed down my face. I decided to post it here to honor all of those who have had to face that battle.