MONDAY MOTIVATION - The Road Less Traveled By

Sorry, my friends, for being so neglectful of this blog lately.  I even forgot to post Kathy's Thursday Thoughts last week!  I'm finding that planning and executing a huge event (our 5K) is taking a LOT of time and effort.  I get so busy that I forget some of the important things. :)

The other day, I was reading Robert Frost's poem - The Road Not Taken.  I've always loved that poem.  But, as I read it this time, I saw those last few lines in a different light...

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Four years ago, I was faced with two different roads - one went into the past , where I was healthy, and one went into the future - I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I didn't really have a choice about taking that road - my life had veered off onto that road without a choice being involved.  I went down that road by necessity.   It's definitely a road less traveled by - only about 1 in 8 women will be faced with breast cancer in their lives.  A statistic that is a bit scary, but still - not every women will have to travel this road.

However... that last line - "that has made all the difference" - that's what resonated with me this time.  The road I took 4 years ago has made all the difference in my life.  Sure... some of the differences are obvious - my body is different, my mind is different, and my soul is different.  Some differences are hard to bear, but the biggest difference - the one where my life has taken on a whole new meaning... that's the difference that is the most important.

Without breast cancer, my children wouldn't have learned - first hand and early in life - the importance of service, and unconditional love from those around them.  Without breast cancer, I wouldn't have slowed down and learned to appreciate the simple things in life.  Without breast cancer, I would never have become involved in charity the way I have.  Without breast cancer, I wouldn't have had the privilege of helping this wonderful group.  Without breast cancer, I never would have met all of the beautiful, strong, courageous women who make up the membership of Lifting Hearts.

I CAN imagine my life with real boobs, fewer aches and pains, and more hair... but I CAN'T imagine my life without these opportunities - I never would have met RuthAnn, Colette, Bethanie, Beth, Diane, Kathy, Denise, Judy, and countless others who have touched my life, and made it better.

I took the road I was forced to take... and that made ALL the difference.