We mark turning points in our life with celebrations. Sometimes the celebration is marked by just remembering everything it took to accomplish the task. Other times we plan huge celebrations, inviting others to join us in acknowledging a new chapter in our lives.
We celebrate births. We celebrate marriages. We celebrate graduations. We celebrate new jobs and retirements. We celebrate anniversaries. Last month I celebrated my three-year Cancerversary.
Three years ago I was diagnosed with stage 3C high-grade serous carcinoma ovarian cancer. This diagnosis does not come with encouraging odds or statistics. My advice: ignore the statistics. I did. I am a unique individual and I refuse to be defined by someone’s numbers or label.
The past three years have been a journey of self-discovery and finding a previously unknown well of strength. I celebrate everything—birthdays (there were times when I wondered how many I would mark in the future), lab results, the end of chemo cycles (I thought there would only be one), and yes, cancerversaries.
Whether I’m traveling to places I only dreamed of visiting or enjoying life on the farm, I’m living my best life every day. I’m learning new things, planning the next trip, and meeting amazing women on this unexpected journey. Would I have chosen it? Absolutely not! But I don’t intend to waste the byproduct of this disease—the fruits, if you will.
Are you living your life only to die? Or are you dying to live? We only get one chance at this amazing life we’ve been given. Seize every chance you have to make the most of it. Don’t let a bad moment influence the rest of your day. Process it and let it go. You get to choose how you react.
Life is for celebrating. Don’t let any achievement, great or small, pass without reveling in your accomplishment. (Psalm 150:1-6)Life is for celebrating. Don’t let any achievement, great or small, pass without reveling in your accomplishment. (Psalm 150:1-6)
Celebrate LIFE!
May 24, 2025
