I have, unfortunately, been touched far, far too many times by people that have to fight something that in all honesty is one of the scariest damn things I can imagine. Cancer.
Yeah... that.
I've written about a couple of them, and that hardly covers them all.
I suppose that some people are too often touched by one thing in particular, cancer seems to be mine. It is that thing that hits me in the gut. Every. Single. Time.
I've had friends fight it, some won...some did not. I've had family fight it, some won...some did not. I still, this very moment, have loved ones fighting it. Cancer terrifies me. Truth be told. It affects so many, it's like a huge shadow that falls over everyone that is in any way involved with the person diagnosed. I am exactly 6 months, 2 weeks and 2 days free of smoking. Not one. Not one single solitary puff. I've not lit one, not held one and I nearly beat my husband the other day for even handing me his pack.
It has not been easy, but it is certainly not the toughest thing I've ever done. Getting this "I quit smoking" spare tire off of me, that's proving more difficult. ;o) So, if you've been curious, yes I'm still smoke free and I have not caved once. However...it's been more difficult as of late instead of when I first quit. It comes and goes, but...you basically trade one addiction for another in general. So, now I'm trying to quit the other things I wanted to quit and turn that into an addiction to fitness. 8o)
The times I've been mere inches, seconds away from caving...I would picture those who lost their battles, the ones who have beat it but still fear it every moment and the ones that are still fighting it. Can I seriously be so vain about my weight that I will risk my kids having to go through hell when they are my age now? Can I really be so vain about my WEIGHT when I have friends this very moment just trying everything you can likely NOT imagine to just stay ALIVE?!?! Am I really THAT vain? Almost apparently, but I'm working more on listening to that voice that has so often been ignored. You know, the reasonable one...
I am all about cancer research and fundraising and just support. Whatever I can do, just let me know.
So as it goes, I found out that a dear friend here was doing something seriously beautiful. We've been waiting a little while, but the day finally arrived this past weekend. I cannot imagine the emotions she had, I really can't. I'm so vain, I never try to hide that. I simply AM, that's just a part of ME and what makes me, well...ME. Am I necessarily PROUD of it? Not so much, but it is what it is and I just own it.
My darling Gilly (jilly) was touched by cancer a LOT in a very short time at work. Three of her co-workers and friends were diagnosed within a few weeks of each other. That's really hard to take. She was so taken by this news that she felt compelled to do something drastic to show her support and love. Wow did she ever!
Just yesterday many folks gathered at the awesome pub in our old village, The Waggon and Horses which happens to belong to my good friend Suz. We all gathered there to support and watch this darling gal sell off locks of her hair. When I arrived she was already all banded up and prepping herself. Several just simply donated money while others (like me hehe) bought a lock and were able to cut it off.
Gill was sponsored by many to do this and still is able to accept donations (so let me know if you want to help out here I will totally get you hooked up!). She now has donated funds AND her hair for cancer research.
Her hair went to something similar to Locks of Love, but its in the UK (obviously) and is for children's wigs, called Little Princess Trust.
Pretty cool eh? Yes...BUT we did not just cut Gill's hair and give her a new short "do"...no people, she went all the way. She was SHAVED bald! What an amazing gift, what a beautiful thing to do. What's even better? She's totally hot when she's bald too. ;o)
It was such a moving thing for her to do. It was very emotional and difficult for her on many levels, but...not one of vanity. Just the people she cares so much about, her sacrifice, her gift....
I know all too well how it is to feel completely helpless when someone you love is hurting like that and there is simply nothing you want more than to just make it go away. Unfortunately we can't do that, so we must show our love, appreciation, admiration, support and comfort by doing whatever on earth we can. I think Gill did a fabulous job of it. Something that helped out with research, something that helped out with making sure a little girl or boy has a wig to wear when all their hair is gone and something that made the rest of us just stop and think for a minute.
At any rate, Gill darling, I think what you did was top notch! (like my Brit speak there?). haha
It was a beautiful gesture. It was truly inspiring. It was something I was thankful to get to document for you. It was touching in more ways than anyone person can say. You are simply beautiful inside and out. Thank you sweetheart. Thank you....
P.S. Please, for your own sake, don't let Suz talk you into any club nights w/out taking a vote from EVERYONE first! ;o) haha
xoxoxox sweetie..you did awesome! :)
