Living Strong
This summer I traveled to Washington to spend time with my brother Dan and his wife Sandy. Sandy's brain cancer had been in remission for several years,
but in late June her doctor's had sad news. The cancer was back and she was diagnosed with "many days to several weeks to live". She has always been a
lover of life. She relished every moment and participated in her life to the fullest. Sandy and I ate Frosted Flakes by candlelight (3am)and talked about
life's great things. She was anxious for me to read her each and every birthday card she'd received earlier in the month. We stayed up all hours waiting
for the sun to rise and the first birds to chirp. I learned from her an important reminder, that all we have is today and to enjoy THE MOMENT. Many months
earlier, when Sandy's health was excellent, she and Dan signed up to participate in the Lance Armstrong LiveStrong Challenge in Portland Oregon on July 30.
Lance made a special effort to visit with Sandy and Dan just prior to the event starting. Lance asked Sandy to start the challenge and lead the walkers out
from the start line. Sandy and Dan's team, "Friends of Sandy" (16 of us) pushed her 3 miles in a wheelchair to the finish line. Just before we reached the
finish line, Sandy insisted on walking the final few steps. As I write these words, chills travel down my spine. I am grateful and encouraged by her spirit,
energy and love of life. I will always remember, "It's not whether you survive...it is how you live". Take care of the people and things you love.
By: Megan O'Connor