Everyone has been through a storm in their life, and by storm I mean a tragic event that has scarred a place in your life, never to be forgotten, whether it be a death in the family, cancer diagnosis, or a personal tragedy. Because like a storm, damaging winds can come, maybe even a tornado and rip apart what was once familiar territory. Although those types of storms can seem devastating, they are only devastating to the physical, material things of life. Let me be the first to tell you, that’s the best type of storm that can happen to you. Unlike health-related/personal storms your house can be rebuilt, your car can be replaced, and personal items can be bought again. Family members cannot be replaced.

It was 9 years ago, a devastating event took place in my mother’s life, not to mention the toll it took on the rest of the family. My mother was diagnosed in 2000 with Breast Cancer. I can remember just like it was yesterday, standing in the kitchen by my mom, she had the phone in her hand and just received the bad news. I then began asking myself Why, why did it have to happen to MY mom? How could God allow this to happen? I was always taught never to question God, because after all who am I to question the Almighty? Weeks later, it still felt as if I was on the edge of a cliff, being forced to jump. All these questions remained unanswered, after all I never verbally asked my mom at the time. Until a couple weeks before her surgery on Valentines Day in 2001, mom was sitting on the edge of her bed, I walked in and asked her “What if you don’t wake up from your surgery?” Once again, on the edge of the cliff trying to grip anything to keep me on top. And with a straight face, and unbelievable confidence she replied “God WILL help us through!” Taking that as a satisfying answer, I continued the conversation and before I knew it, it was time for bed. That night I spent a countless amount of minutes praying asking God to heal my mother.

On Valentines Day 2001, I sat in my 5th grade class as the Valentines Day Party was going on, too emotionally drained drained to have a good time. The games and activities planned for the day didn’t seem too appealing. Then the phone rang, it was for me. I walked out into the hall, the call came from Barnes Jewish Hospital, I then learned that my mother had successfully came through her surgery well, and that she was being moved to her Private Room to rest. That news planted a smile on my face, and over threw all the worry I had inside. I walked back into the classroom, hung up the phone and began participating in what was planned for the day. It felt almost as if I was a whole new person, after all, I had received the best news I could have gotten.

This Month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and today my mother has been Breast Cancer free for almost 9 years. Still in good health and what an amazing victory story she has to tell. God has certainly worked a miracle in her life right before our very eyes. In this moment, there are over 1.5 Million women out there world wide who are seeking the proper treatment needed to rid themselves of Breast Cancer, they more than deserve it. Not only do they deserve it, but their families do as well. I owe my thanks to God, because without him I would Hate to think where I would be right now without my mother.

And to this day, I am happy to say, that I am the Son of a Breast Cancer Survivor.


With Unconditional Love, Dedicated To: My Mom, Sandy May.