Wear Pink - October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

In November 2000, my 38 year old sister died from breast cancer. Even now as I type this, I can see the images of her lifeless body laying on the bed as a result of a disease that I thought happened to "old ladies." I was wrong. It's not an "old ladies" disease. It's a disease that affect young, middle age and older women. Once I started researching breast cancer, to my surprise, it can affect men as well.

When my sister passed away, she left behind 3 teenage children and 2 grandchildren. My mother was so grief stricken because she never thought she would have to bury a child. It's suppose to be the other way around, right? My siblings and I were in such a state of shock that it left us speechless. Words could not express the pain we felt on that day. It was a day of mixed emotions as well. We also rejoiced in our hearts because my sister had come to accept Jesus Christ as her Savior.

*Side note: When I visited my sister in the hospice, I would lift up her arms and say "Jesus." All she could utter was a faint "uh huh." We have the opportunity each day to lift our hands and stretch our arms high and give praise to the Lord our God. He has done great things and is worthy. Don't take it for granted!

I want to encourage all women to learn how to do monthly breast examination. Talk to your daughters about the changes that will take place with her breast during puberty and teach her how to do self examinations. Get mammograms as early as you can. Pray for the women who are battling this disease and let's not be passive in our prayers. Breast cancer is not passive as it takes hold a vibrant woman in the prime of her life.

If you are reading this, you or someone in your family is battling breast cancer, please be encourage and cherish each day. Also know that God is healer and a Savior. My sister may not have gotten a healing here on earth, but she's resting in the arms of her Savior.

My daughter Ruthie was 10 years old at the time of my sisters death and she sang this song at the funeral.



http://www.nbcam.org/

A Birthday Wish For My Little Sister

Today is my youngest child's birthday. Sarah turned 11 today. My oldest daughter Ruth wrote a special birthday tribute to her. I thought I'd post it here and share this special bond between 2 sisters that are 8 years apart.
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(Psssst!! Read this to Sarah) =)
Happy Birthday Little Sister! Well, I guess you are that little anymore huh? 11 years old. Girl, you're getting old! But as beautiful as ever (we can thank Mom for those cute genes she gave us ;)
I remember when Mom and Dad brought you home from the hospital. You were so small and fragile and cute. And I wanted to be their little helper, so I picked you up and carried you to their room to give you a bath....of course I must have done something wrong because Mom and Dad started to freak out when they looked up and saw me holding you. It was all a blur, but I remember hearing that I wasn't holding you up right, or that I could have dropped you, etc. Afterwards when they saw me balling my eyes out in my room, they came in and explained how important is was that I was careful when I held you. Sarah, when I picked you up for the first time that day, my heart jumped. Here was my sister. I wanted to talk to you, and wanted to show you how to do things. I wanted to be the best big sister for you.
And day after day, I would come and check on EVERY time you were sleeping just to watch you breathe. I would sit there for the longest periods of time watching you open your mouth, and turn over in your basinette. I would pat your back when you woke up, and fix the little strands of hair on your head so you would stay looking like an angel while you slept.
I remember wanting to always be the one who fed you. Sarah, there were days though that I wanted to just put your baby food on the counter and walk away! You would spit it right out and smile. Like you knew that I didn't want you to do that, and it was a game. I laugh now because of how cute I remember you being.
Even when you got a little older, and you started to get really bossy, I still loved you.
And then I went off to college. And it didn't hit me until the day before I left that you really loved me too. You cried, and that made me cry. Being away from home this last year was really hard. I missed out on watching you go from being a little girl to being an almost (and I mean almost because you are not grown yet!) pre-teen.
But I'm so glad to have you nearby. I love hanging out with you, laughing, tickling (even though I say I don't like to be tickled), joking and making fun of the boys, swimming, watching a movie and eating popsicles. I love spending time with you.
So! All of that is to say that I am thinking about you today. It's your special day and I hope it is extra special for you =)
Happy 11th Birthday Sarah Esther King =)