Another Lesson

Along with Down Syndrome Awareness, it is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. Being so, I wanted to share about my Mom. To set the stage, close your eyes and imagine yourself a couple years ago....OK open them...that was silly and did not work.

I had thought that my parents had pretty much run out of lessons to teach me. However, when the idea of cancer creeped into my parents lives, I had no idea what was in store for my parents or myself. Even though I never saw my Mom or Dad cry or appear sad in any way, I was a nervous wreck and I did my best to keep it together while I watched my Mom go through surgery, doc apt after doc apt, and then treatment after treatment. I held it together as my Moms hair slowly fell out. It had to have been such a trying time for them. I tried to imagine Amanda going through the same and I literally could not.

Through all of it, my parents not only remained positive and optimistic, but completely...I'm sorry....COMPLETELY faithful and reliant on God to provide and reveal His plan for all of it. For good reason, my Mom had been faithful in continuing getting checked and so she had found the tumor very early, but it is still cancer. Not once did she say why me, not once did she get depressed or retreat into her house and feel bad for herself. She was not going to let it beat her. She continued with all her responsibilities including teaching, everything at home, and everything at church. It was so amazing to watch and listen to her stay positive and fight every minute of every day.

I not only learned from my Mom about how to deal with life's curveballs, but I also learned from my Dad on how to be the loving supportive husband/best friend through our loved ones life curveballs. The silent supporter. My Mom knew that while she literally fights the cancer every minute, that my Dad was praying every minute for her strength and perseverance.

Things happen in life for a reason. God puts people and situations in our lives in order to teach us something or draw us back to Him. Looking back, I am not sure I would say that I would change anything about what my Mom went through and I dont think she would change it either. They showed and taught me so much about life, God, and priorities. Hopefully they are not done teaching me because God knows I need all the teaching I can get! I love them so much and cant wait to watch them handle lifes next curveball. (Actually it ended up being my Dad losing his job and watching them through this has been amazing as well!)

It is stories like my Mom that should give motivation for more women to get checked. Get checked, if something is found, dont panic just do what needs to be done to beat it. Stay positive and rely on God through it all!

Love you Mom and Dad!

Will Amanda and Bry