Pink Boxing Gloves – Four Years Free

AMC_8415If you’ve followed my blog from the beginning, you know a little about my sister’s battle with Breast Cancer. I wrote Pink Boxing Gloves and Pink Boxing Gloves-Three Year Later, because my sister’s favorite color is Pink. And she’s a fighter!

This October marks her four-year anniversary since she got the clear that she’s  free, and each time she gets a check up, there’s the holding her breath moment right before the doctor says, “We’re good. See you in six months.”

Saw a woman the other day wearing a baseball hat over her completely bald head and was instantly reminded of that time, not that long ago, when my sister lost her hair due to chemo. And if you’re a girl, few things compete with the loss of your crown, your hair, a woman’s glory. Continue reading

Pink Boxing Gloves … 3 Years Later.

*[Last year, I wrote a little story about my Sister and her fight with breast cancer. Today’s her birthday, and we have a lot to celebrate! But first, a little flash back to give you a glimpse of how special this woman is to me!]

*Three Years Ago

The news of my little sister’s breast cancer shadows our household and I am still shaken. My faith lies speckled with doubt.  I can’t help but ask “Why?” and ask more than once.  

God never promised that the rain would only fall on certain days. On certain folks. Or only so hard. When it rains, we all get wet. Couldn’t see the end of the rainfall in those early days.

One of the most painful moments happens while driving down to see my sister for my cousin’s wedding. This will be the first time I see Sandi after her diagnosis, and only a couple of days after her first round of chemo. I’m so anxious, I lose sleep that whole last week. 

One of the hardest parts about writing something down is that in order to remember the details, you have to go back there. I’m not gonna lie. It’s not easy to go back there. I’ll be right back.

*** Continue reading

The Color of Tomorrow

Woke up this morning to find my first official piece of fiction published on-line, up and out there in cyber space, for any and all to read. Super excited and freaking out at the same time. What will the readers think? Will they love it? Hate it? Walk away unchanged? or Beg for more!! I hope the latter, because this short story I entered in the contest actually begins a book I’m working on, the first two chapters in fact. 

I felt immediately humbled and immensely grateful for the Judge’s generous and encouraging comments: 

What the Judge said about “The Color of Tomorrow”

So what is this story all about, you ask? Continue reading

Pink Boxing Gloves

[Knowing many families have lost a loved one to Breast Cancer, I humbly share a snippet of my sister’s story. Even as I publish this post, I pray for a dear friend’s mother whose fight is not over. Each story is different. This is just one.]
October 2009
Looked down at my cell phone buzzing. My sister Sandi, A.K.A. Sippy,  calling me on her way home from work. Nothing unusual about that. She once said that I’m like her morning cup of coffee. Can’t live without it! So we talk every day. Pretty much. 
            
“I felt something under my left armpit a few days ago.”