My sister always made everyone around her know how good God was as she fought breast cancer.
The confessions are found in the pages of her journal after her original diagnoses in 2007. Her continuous smile proved she believed in "counting it all joy." (James 1:2)
The month of October puts extra emphasis on breast cancer awareness. During the raw and most challenging moments of Traci's journey, I found myself at times bitter and angry walking into stores seeing all things pink.
"Why did she have to suffer like this? Why was her youth stolen by this disease and dreams of having a family instantly ripped from her grip? It's not fair she suffered for so long."
I know my sister had these same thoughts, but my memory can only recall twice when I heard the frustration. Her faith soared while her ability to survive was rooted in the truth that God is good.
It became her lens in all things hard and reason why she praised in the positive moments.
Her very presence was contagious simply because her faith was who she was. Traci showed many who Jesus was during her cancer journey which gave her more reason to keep fighting.
How often have I given up hope because life got hard? When my belief that God is good vanishes due to frustrations and negative outcomes to situations out of my control?
God, I'm so sorry my flesh caved to defeat.
Thank you for allowing me to have the years with my sister who challenged my faith and taught me 'never' or 'can't' are void of the dictionary. Thank you for granting our family thirty seven short years with a warrior who showed us how to fight well.
Yes, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but I'd rather change the language to show off the hero's who gave everyone else reason to believe that...
God is still good.
If Traci was still living, I'm positive she'd still be fighting, stubborn in her prayers for healing and cheering on all her Pink Sister's battling breast cancer alongside her.
To those battling breast cancer, you are not far from our thoughts and prayers. Your strength and tenacity inspires those around you and does not go unnoticed.
Sister, I miss you.
{ Super model pose while passing time receiving treatment. }
