This past Saturday was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. This year my mother didn't participate due to other circumstances, but when ever this time of year rolls around it causes me to really reflect over the last few years.
First of all, my mother is one of the strongest women I know. Just seeing her go through chemo and her reliance on the Lord was humbling. She was more worried about others during this time then herself. She even worked through most of it.
There are two times during her treatment that really stuck out to me:
The first memory was the night we found out she had breast cancer- It was a rainy night and I was on my way to meet a friend, whose mom also had breast cancer when she was younger. Sitting on the passenger seat next to me was a CD that my now sister-in-law had given me. I remember her saying that she makes this cd every year of songs that God had used in her life over the past year. She said I don't know why I am giving you this cd, but the Lord told me to give it to you. Well it was sitting on the seat next to me as I drove and prayed about my mom and her cancer and I just flat out asked the Lord what do I need to do and to just give me an answer of the outcome of all this if He could. I placed the cd in the player and the first song that played was " Praise you in the storm" by Casting crowns. I! just began to sing and weep. The next song to play was "It's gonna be alright" by Sara Groves. WOW!!! I had never heard God's voice be so clear. From that day on I knew the Lord would heal my mom. I was talking to my sister-in-law later and was telling her about my experience and she turned to me and said " Ginny- that was not the first and second track on the CD" Apparently out of all the CD's mine was the only one that the songs had gotten mixed up- As my pastor always says "What are the odds- 100%!"
The second memory I have- was when my mom lost all her hair. It didn't really bother me the first day. I remember sitting in my room in Auburn with Kristen and I just began to cry. I wasn't upset about my mom having cancer- I was sad because she had lost all her hair( which I knew she would). It is funny how we as women place so much identity in our hair. Yet again what a humbling experience. I finally was like what a trivial thing to be upset about. This doesn't change my mom! - the Lord used a ton experiences through my mom's cancer to teach and grow my realtionship with him.
After all of that - I dedicate this month to my Mom! I am so proud of you and who you are and all you have done. And even though we didn't get to do race for the cure.We will just say we slept in for the cure. You are amazing and I love you!!!
