Beauty Marks

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - Lovely couple, aren’t they? You should meet them in person. Jamie is not only beautiful, but fun, spunky, funny and just a joy to be around. She’s an attorney AND a great bowler. Rigo is a teacher and a coach, more importantly is a gentleman – looks at his wife like she hung the moon. They have a sweet little son named Blake, and his parents refer to him as a miracle. These are the kind of people I really love to be around; they are compassionate and kind, and you know just by meeting them you have been blessed. Why are they being featured on my blog? Because Jamie is a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed at age 27. That’s right, 27. She also just happened to be pregnant with Blake during her treatment as well. And after all of that, what does she say on her blog? “We have it all. Live is good.” How’s that for a good strong dose of inspiration? :)

Happy Thanksgiving

WARSAW, INDIANA - I’m glad that I am here. Not just physically alive, but of course I am thankful for that every day. I mean really here in little Warsaw, Indiana. If you would have asked me 10 years ago if I would have chosen to come here I would have laughed out loud, of course not! But now that I am here, and can see what my family has been blessed with in this place, I am grateful. I have a job for the best company on the planet that allows me to talk to people who are going through one of the most difficult times in their lives, and have the opportunity to give them comfort and hope. My husband has a job in a church that is a warm, comfortable and amazing family – and growing all the time! My children go to wonderful schools, and the town is just the right size for me to wave at folks at I go on my evening walks. Thanksgiving is a good time for reflection of that for which we are grateful, and in spite of some bumps in the road in all of our lives, it is nice to know that sometimes we are just in the right spot. And remember to be happy there, even if it wasn’t in your original plans. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Moms of the Pink Power Variety

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - There were 9 of us in total, all of us mommies who have been through breast cancer. Three of us were pregnant during that journey, which is kinda daunting. One of the mommies is having a rough go with her radiation, so she couldn’t even join us for the party. :( The common thread, other than the cancer thing? We are all pretty fierce about finding a cure. We all work – hard, and daily – to do what we can to find a cure or to help other women who are going through treatment. At no time during the weekend did I hear anyone complain about a having too small of an office or not being able to climb the corporate ladder. At some point in maturity (staring death in the face helps with this, too) you realize that if you pursue things like that, you are chasing empty dreams. These girls? They know what matters. Amy realized that there was no one to watch the children of chemo patients, so she created a safe, special kids-only waiting room for them while mommy gets treatment. Tracie is in the services business – her non-profit (pinkribbongirls.org) helps connect patients and provide things like hot meals for their families. Jamie is… well… she’s getting her own blog post because I can’t express her cool factor on just one post. We were all connected and treated to an amazing getaway by the Kids ll company. And this company is the rare kind that I will say simply: if you ever are offered a job to be with them, take it. I don’t care how far you have to move your family, or what position you are offered, go. Their compassion is felt from the very top and runs throughout all the employees. They started a line of baby products that donate a portion of the proceeds to breast cancer to ‘give baby girls a brighter tomorrow.' Thank you, Bright Starts, for donating to our charities. Thank you, Sarah, for making it all happen! The next time you have a baby shower to go to, please buy Kids ll products. And be sure to explain to the new mommy that the gift you are giving actually has a deeper impact. For all of us!