Especially when five amazing women and organizations are recognized for their commitment to give back to the greater good in their 2nd Acts! And THEN there’s the money!
Holding checks on behalf of their organizations, from left: Reba Mason, Reba’s Vision; Linda King, Help Fix the Hurt; Paula Cullison, Arizona Women’s Partnership; Bobbi Sudberry, Kaity’s Way; and Ebony Daniels, Making Finance Fashionable.
I have to say, from the moment I was diagnosed, I made the conscious choice to focus only on the positive. I would find anything that made me happy or smile and stay in that place of gratitude. When my mind would wander to a dark place, (it usually happened when I would search the internet for answers), although educating myself on my cancer was necessary, allowing myself to become fearful did nothing but make me upset, so I eventually stopped that process.
My pre-cancer self was innocent and unsuspecting of any health issues; arrogant in her healthiness and immortality. I’d tell her to listen to her body. Don’t ignore the signs that she’s ill. I’d also tell her that she’s strong. Much stronger than she gives herself credit. And that, despite the unbearable hardships she’d face in the coming year, she’d find a wear to bear it. She would come to own the word ‘survivor’ by showing up to the cancer center every day, making soul connections as she fought her way back to life.