Childhood Cancer Awareness Month- "I Hope You Dance..."

September is childhood cancer awareness month, and I couldn't let it pass without blogging about the strongest girl I've known and the reason for me ultimately having become an oncology nurse (and therefore creating ComfyChemo)- my cousin Elizabeth (pictured above).

It's been almost 20 years since Elizabeth lost her battle at the age of 18 to osteosarcoma (a type of bone cancer). Prior to her passing, Elizabeth took part in a recorded interview in which she shared her thoughts on her journey with cancer. At the time of the interview, Elizabeth's cancer had spread throughout her body to the point that she had a large visible tumor taking up almost half of her face, but yet she still radiated such perseverance, confidence, and strength. 

During the interview, Elizabeth spoke about the peace she had found along her journey, and her words were so impactful that they have stayed with me for all of these years. Despite Elizabeth facing death, she was composed and at peace. She asked that others not be angry with God or question "why her." Elizabeth shared that she actually felt grateful for the path she had been given as her suffering was making her "more like Jesus." The authentic peace that radiated from Elizabeth during the interview was truly inspiring. So inspiring, in fact, that "being at peace with whatever is to come" became the prayer that I still pray to this day over anyone diagnosed with cancer.

Elizabeth and I were only a year apart in age, and on the day that she left this earth, I decided that I owed it to her to keep dancing regardless of any of life's storms. If I ever get caught up in the "why me" and find myself needing a reminder of just how precious life is, how grateful I should be, and to never take a single moment here for granted, I pop in the video of Elizabeth's interview and sing along to the Leanne Womack song "I Hope You Dance" that plays in the background. 

Good or bad days, we owe it to Elizabeth to keep dancing as long as we have the air in our lungs to do so. We owe it to all those who have lost their battles and were taken from this world way too soon, to embrace the ups and downs of life and show gratitude for the many blessings we have. When we think of what we are facing right now, let's instead think of the children who are in the hospital this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month fighting for life. I don't know about you, but that sure puts things into perspective for me. 

The ride is short and it's not always "fair." Sometimes in our struggles, we lose sight of the bigger picture. Let's show love to one another regardless of the circumstances. Let's show the same grace to each other that God shows to us. Let's be thankful for the unique challenges we are each facing knowing they were sent to chisel our characters and in Elizabeth's words "to make us more like Jesus." Let's use the difficult moments for our betterment. Let's dance and "figure it out together" as we go along. Afterall, we are all in this together. We never know when our last day will come. We never know when the words we speak to our loved ones will be the last words they hear from us. Let's always leave one another with love... I hope you dance today... dance for Elizabeth... Dance for all those we've lost along the way who aren't here to dance for themselves...

Sending lots of love and well wishes your way from NC... now go DANCE.