Her name was Lina. I loved seeing her at school functions. With her lovely smile, she would greet me in her unassuming way. We would talk about raising 4 young children and the upcoming school year. We only saw each other for those brief times at the school. But I felt like my spirit was lifted after those conversations full of laughter and friendship. I won't see Lina at parent orientation this week. Lina lost her battle with breast cancer 2 years ago. I remember when my oldest son came home on that day and said to me, "Mom, Aya's mother died." I said, "What? How is that possible?" He said, "I heard she had breast cancer." I never knew. My heart ached for her children, her husband, her family, her friends, and all who were lucky enough to spend time with Lina. I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that she was gone.
I'm joining my friend, Hyacynth over at Undercover Mother, sharing stories to raise awareness about breast cancer and to encourage women and men to sign up to become one in a million to find a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime.
Quoting wonderful Hyacynth:
Army of Women is a non-profit organization run by a grant from the Avon Foundation for Women. It connects breast cancer researchers via the internet with people who are willing to participate in a wide variety of research studies aimed at determining the causes of breast cancer and how to prevent it. The goal of Army of Women is to recruit ONE MILLION MEN AND WOMEN of all ages (older than 18) and ethnicities to help further research.
Throughout October, please visit the Bigger Picture Blogs community to read breast cancer stories about loss, hope, survival, strength, research, and education.
Please consider joining Army of Women's valiant quest to make a healthier and happier future free of the threat of breast cancer.
Since Lina's death, my son has come home 2 more times telling me of more mothers who lost their battle to breast cancer. I don't want my children to have to bear those sad tidings anymore. I don't want to see the unease, worry, and sadness in my son's eyes when he has to speak the unspeakable to me. Let's unite for life!! Thank you for reading :)
26 comments:
Oh My Sweetie...
What a beautiful share this morning. Not only your story but the wonderful links as well. Some people only want one click, and you sweet friend have given them just that.
I pray you have a beautiful blessed day.
Many hugs, Sherry
Thanks for sharing your story and connection to Lina. The Army of Women foundation is a great program.
Its a lovely share that. You were touched by a sweet lady and that alone is special as she left a lasting memory in our mind. The cause is a very worthy one.. Carol and GJ x
A very important person to me died of cancer related to breast cancer about 15 years ago. I was only 17 at the time and it hit me pretty hard. And actually, it's been pressing hard on my mind the past couple months. I don't understand why I've missed her more now, after 15 years, than I did only a year or two after it happened.
I think, in time, there will be a cure. We just have to keep trying.
Thanks for sharing your story. I lost my sister-in-law to breast cancer, 2 years ago this month. She left behind a husband and 2 young sons. We do have to keep working for a cure.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful post. Excellently written and such a joy to read.
Take care and enjoy your week-end;
Yvonne.
Wow, that is a lot of women touched with breast cancer at your son's school. That's horrible in so many ways! I am signed up with Army of Women, and I hope they reach their goal soon - not just of getting 1 million women signed up but in assisting to find a cure for breast cancer.
This is so so sad. Here's hoping we can make all moms stick around to see their children grow up.
My friend at work is battling right now.
Oh, Kelly, I love your big, beautiful, caring heart. It's so awesome that you posted about AOW today and its mission. Thank you for doing that, for Lina and her babies and your babies and my babies -- all of our babies who all have mothers and aunts and grandmothers.
Thanks, also for mentioning our link up, too. I know you've inspired others today by sharing this story.
My mother-in-law had a double masectomy and has done a lot of work for "Reach for Recovery". Her mom and her grandmother died of the disease so we're all very aware of how lucky she was to fight off this silent killer. This is a great way to raise awareness; thanks Kelly.
Judy
Thank you so much for sharing this. There are two very important appointments that I need to make and have been putting them off because of how sick I've been. One is getting a mammogram and the other is my yearly exam with my GYN. I should have had both of these over a year ago. I am not one to let either of these slide because of my profession and my history. I know how dangerous it is. I had very early precancerous cells on my cervix many, many years ago (about 12) and had them removed without any problem. However, I need to follow up at least once a year. Thanks for reminding me HOW VERY IMPORTANT this is. I am going to email my GYN right now to schedule the appointment.
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your sweet, heart-felt words, as usual. You are just amazing. I hope you are doing OK.
Love you!
Teresa <><
thank your for relaying this message. I hope it spurs more women to do their exams and see their docs regularly for well checks
What saddens me most is that cancer touches everyone.
Maybe the glimmer of hope and happiness there is that those with cancer still touch the lives of so many.
A lovely tribute, Kelly. *hugs*
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Kelly!
So sad...there are so many people are battling right now out there.
Wish you a relaxing and blessed weekend!
Big big hugs!
B xx
Thank you so much Kelly for sharing this touching story. No child should have to grow up without a mom, and no mom should have to spend a moment of her mothering years figuring out ways to say goodbye. I'm so glad you're here.
What an amazing tribute to a lovely person. This sounds like a wonderful cause so I will certainly check it out. The stories are devastating to families and friends alike but through awareness, research, and love many people will have new hope and life. Thanks for sharing this.
So very very sad. But beautifully written.
Wow, so moving. What a touching story and even more so with the beautiful way you write. Thanks for sharing her story and this great cause. :)
~Tabitha
what a thoughtful post...so many mothers are taken away by this disease.
A most lovely post, my friend. Thank you for sharing this story and for reminding me to DO something. Sometimes we get so busy with our lives, that we forget these things. I love you, Kelly. And really, really wish I lived next door to you. :)
This is a very worthwhile cause. Thanks for highlighting it so well. I will check out these websites.
(Thanks so much for stopping by! I do appreciate your lovely comments!)
Nothing is sadder that hearing that someone has lost their mother or sister. Great telling.
Thank you for sharing this touching story. I'm so glad to see so many involved in sharing about these stories of every topic on the same topic.
I pray we'll find a cure.
Beautiful, Kelly. Thank-you so much for sharing, and helping to raise awareness with this important topic. I too pray that we will find a cure. Too many precious lives are being lost by this terrible disease. I'll be sure to check out the website.
Thanks for sharing Kelly. ;)
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