Reflections

Boxing changed my life. Before my cancer diagnosis I had many gym memberships. I would walk in and try to fit in by working on machines I had no clue what they did, or running on the treadmill until I couldn’t take it anymore and would leave. It felt like …

The tools only work when the batteries are charged. One job is to get the chargers plugged in so the batteries are ready. We all need to recharge our battery sometimes. This means we have to say no to commitments and over extending yourself so that we can say yes …

We painted kitchen cabinets. Pulled all the drawers and took over the space only to read the paint can, and realize that the paint required 16 hours between coats. Today, like everyday, I’m reminded the value of patience. It is so important to be patient with each other and with …

When installing a floating floor, spacers are used along the wall to give the floor room to move and flex. We all need space sometimes to be away from the chaos and noise. When we give ourselves space, we discover things that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. Make time in …

My dad loves a good cherry pie. He is particularly fond of the way my mom makes the crust a little light and flaky and the filling a delicious combination of fresh, tart cherries all bubbling with goodness. The smell will fill the kitchen and the anticipation of eating the …

This tool is a confusing one because although it looks like a triangle, it is actually a square. It reminds me that so often when people ask us how we are, we say, “I’m fine” when we don’t honestly feel fine at all. It is okay to be real, it …

Hello all, . My name is Nicole, and at the age of 35, I was diagnosed with stage 1a breast cancer. My whole life I have always loved art and would spend hours painting and drawing. This very activity helped me deal with my whole cancer journey. It was the …

I guess the most important place to start would be at the beginning, although that might make for an exceptionally long and unnecessary story. My life has been a journey and to understand or comprehend how one path led me to the next is something I am not sure even …

Strength is a powerful word. Physical strength is very obvious to the human eye. Internal strength is something different and more difficult to define. Not only is it difficult to define, but it is hard to determine where one finds their internal strength. It varies from person to person. When …

Several months ago, shortly after I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I received an e-hug via Facebook from a complete and total stranger. It was in a response to a post I put on a Facebook page regarding my cancer.  The e-hug I received contained a poem titled What Cancer …