good morning I’m really happy to be here with you today and I have to confess I
with you today and I have to confess I
with you today and I have to confess I was also a little nervous getting ready
was also a little nervous getting ready
was also a little nervous getting ready this morning because at the moment I’m
this morning because at the moment I’m
this morning because at the moment I’m not exactly bald so I did take a lot of
not exactly bald so I did take a lot of
not exactly bald so I did take a lot of care I wanted an outfit that wasn’t too
care I wanted an outfit that wasn’t too
care I wanted an outfit that wasn’t too hip and not too mom-ish
hip and not too mom-ish
hip and not too mom-ish I think I lean more towards the mom-ish
I think I lean more towards the mom-ish
I think I lean more towards the mom-ish side but I wanted my hair to look good
side but I wanted my hair to look good
side but I wanted my hair to look good in my makeup and I brushed my teeth and
in my makeup and I brushed my teeth and
in my makeup and I brushed my teeth and I have a feeling that most of you took
I have a feeling that most of you took
I have a feeling that most of you took care getting ready this morning too it
care getting ready this morning too it
care getting ready this morning too it matters how people perceive us but do
matters how people perceive us but do
matters how people perceive us but do you remember a time when you were little
you remember a time when you were little
you remember a time when you were little and you could wear plaid shorts and a
and you could wear plaid shorts and a
and you could wear plaid shorts and a striped shirt and nobody cared or you
striped shirt and nobody cared or you
striped shirt and nobody cared or you woke up with the worst bedhead of your
woke up with the worst bedhead of your
woke up with the worst bedhead of your life and it only mattered to your mom so
life and it only mattered to your mom so
life and it only mattered to your mom so how old were you when your appearance
how old were you when your appearance
how old were you when your appearance started to matter
and when was it exactly that you became
and when was it exactly that you became so obsessed with your cyber image
so obsessed with your cyber image
so obsessed with your cyber image because the reality is we are worried I
read a study by market research calm and
read a study by market research calm and they said that last year we spent
they said that last year we spent
they said that last year we spent sixty-two billion dollars on cosmetics
sixty-two billion dollars on cosmetics
sixty-two billion dollars on cosmetics the American Cancer Society our American
the American Cancer Society our American
the American Cancer Society our American Society for plastic surgeons says that
Society for plastic surgeons says that
Society for plastic surgeons says that we spent sixteen billion dollars on
we spent sixteen billion dollars on
we spent sixteen billion dollars on cosmetic plastic surgeries and I read a
cosmetic plastic surgeries and I read a
cosmetic plastic surgeries and I read a study by the Richmond Institute for
study by the Richmond Institute for
study by the Richmond Institute for dental continuing dental education and
dental continuing dental education and
dental continuing dental education and it said that in 2015 we spent a hundred
it said that in 2015 we spent a hundred
it said that in 2015 we spent a hundred billion dollars on hair care that’s
billion dollars on hair care that’s
billion dollars on hair care that’s twice what we spend on dental care so
twice what we spend on dental care so
twice what we spend on dental care so that means that all of you took care did
that means that all of you took care did
that means that all of you took care did something this morning with your hair
something this morning with your hair
something this morning with your hair but only half of you brushed your teeth
now I’m going to confess that I have
now I’m going to confess that I have contributed to these billions of dollars
contributed to these billions of dollars
contributed to these billions of dollars I believe in the benefit of a little bit
I believe in the benefit of a little bit
I believe in the benefit of a little bit of mascara and some lip gloss and I
of mascara and some lip gloss and I
of mascara and some lip gloss and I spend $65 on a haircut when I have hair
spend $65 on a haircut when I have hair
spend $65 on a haircut when I have hair I want to look good
I want to look good
I want to look good I know I’m not ever gonna look like
I know I’m not ever gonna look like
I know I’m not ever gonna look like Jennifer Lawrence but when I walk out
Jennifer Lawrence but when I walk out
Jennifer Lawrence but when I walk out the door I want to look good and my hair
the door I want to look good and my hair
the door I want to look good and my hair has always been a big part of that I
has always been a big part of that I
has always been a big part of that I have my whole life had thick straight
have my whole life had thick straight
have my whole life had thick straight healthy hair and even when acne plagued
healthy hair and even when acne plagued
healthy hair and even when acne plagued my face my hair looked good
my face my hair looked good
my face my hair looked good until one day without any warning and
until one day without any warning and
until one day without any warning and certainly without any permission from me
certainly without any permission from me
certainly without any permission from me I began my astonishing journey into
I began my astonishing journey into
I began my astonishing journey into baldness I was diagnosed with breast
baldness I was diagnosed with breast
baldness I was diagnosed with breast cancer on January 25th of this year the
cancer on January 25th of this year the
cancer on January 25th of this year the American Cancer Society tells us that
American Cancer Society tells us that
American Cancer Society tells us that one in eight women will develop breast
one in eight women will develop breast
one in eight women will develop breast cancer this year alone two hundred and
cancer this year alone two hundred and
cancer this year alone two hundred and fifty two thousand seven hundred and ten
fifty two thousand seven hundred and ten
fifty two thousand seven hundred and ten women will be diagnosed with invasive
women will be diagnosed with invasive
women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer that’s cancer that has
breast cancer that’s cancer that has
breast cancer that’s cancer that has spread to other parts of your body over
spread to other parts of your body over
spread to other parts of your body over 63 thousand women will be diagnosed with
63 thousand women will be diagnosed with
63 thousand women will be diagnosed with non invasive breast cancer
non invasive breast cancer
non invasive breast cancer cancer is a scary word and I think it’s
cancer is a scary word and I think it’s
cancer is a scary word and I think it’s because behind cancer we hear death and
because behind cancer we hear death and
because behind cancer we hear death and in fact this year over forty thousand
in fact this year over forty thousand
in fact this year over forty thousand women in the United States will be
women in the United States will be
women in the United States will be diagnosed will die from breast cancer
diagnosed will die from breast cancer
diagnosed will die from breast cancer that’s ten thousand more women there and
that’s ten thousand more women there and
that’s ten thousand more women there and there are students on the kayuu campus
there are students on the kayuu campus
there are students on the kayuu campus most of those women will be between the
most of those women will be between the
most of those women will be between the ages of 55 and 64 I am 54 we don’t like
ages of 55 and 64 I am 54 we don’t like
ages of 55 and 64 I am 54 we don’t like death and even though we know it’s
death and even though we know it’s
death and even though we know it’s inevitable we somehow think that we can
inevitable we somehow think that we can
inevitable we somehow think that we can sneak past it and the hardest part about
sneak past it and the hardest part about
sneak past it and the hardest part about hearing that I had cancer was telling
hearing that I had cancer was telling
hearing that I had cancer was telling the people I love
the people I love
the people I love because I could hear in their voices and
because I could hear in their voices and
because I could hear in their voices and see in their eyes their fear that I
see in their eyes their fear that I
see in their eyes their fear that I might die my husband and I met with the
might die my husband and I met with the
might die my husband and I met with the breast surgeon the day after the
breast surgeon the day after the
breast surgeon the day after the diagnosis and she was over 90 percent
diagnosis and she was over 90 percent
diagnosis and she was over 90 percent sure that once she removed the lump the
sure that once she removed the lump the
sure that once she removed the lump the only thing I would need was radiation
only thing I would need was radiation
only thing I would need was radiation and I was so happy
and I was so happy
and I was so happy why because radiation doesn’t make you
why because radiation doesn’t make you
why because radiation doesn’t make you sick and it doesn’t make your hair fall
sick and it doesn’t make your hair fall
sick and it doesn’t make your hair fall out
out
out in fact hardly anyone would even need to
in fact hardly anyone would even need to
in fact hardly anyone would even need to know why had cancer surgery was February
know why had cancer surgery was February
know why had cancer surgery was February 21st and the tumor was much larger than
21st and the tumor was much larger than
21st and the tumor was much larger than what they expected and even though the
what they expected and even though the
what they expected and even though the cancer had not spread into my lymph
cancer had not spread into my lymph
cancer had not spread into my lymph nodes because of the size of the tumor
nodes because of the size of the tumor
nodes because of the size of the tumor they sent it off for more analysis to
they sent it off for more analysis to
they sent it off for more analysis to determine if I had a high risk for
determine if I had a high risk for
determine if I had a high risk for recurrence I’d wait a month before I
recurrence I’d wait a month before I
recurrence I’d wait a month before I knew that answer and waiting is the
knew that answer and waiting is the
knew that answer and waiting is the hardest I would stand in front of my
hardest I would stand in front of my
hardest I would stand in front of my mirror and pull my hair back and try to
mirror and pull my hair back and try to
mirror and pull my hair back and try to imagine a bald me and I could not do it
imagine a bald me and I could not do it
imagine a bald me and I could not do it one day my husband and I were out and
one day my husband and I were out and
one day my husband and I were out and about just goofing off and I had tried
about just goofing off and I had tried
about just goofing off and I had tried on a hat and for whatever reason I
on a hat and for whatever reason I
on a hat and for whatever reason I looked at him and I said what if I’m
looked at him and I said what if I’m
looked at him and I said what if I’m bald and the look of denial or here on
bald and the look of denial or here on
bald and the look of denial or here on his face almost broke my heart
his face almost broke my heart
his face almost broke my heart and for just the briefest moment I
and for just the briefest moment I
and for just the briefest moment I thought he loved me if I’m home well he
thought he loved me if I’m home well he
thought he loved me if I’m home well he looked at me and he said you won’t be
looked at me and he said you won’t be
looked at me and he said you won’t be bald
bald
bald you won’t need chemo except I did my
you won’t need chemo except I did my
you won’t need chemo except I did my first chemo treatment was April the
first chemo treatment was April the
first chemo treatment was April the fourth and the week before that I had
fourth and the week before that I had
fourth and the week before that I had gone in and they surgically inserted a
gone in and they surgically inserted a
gone in and they surgically inserted a port underneath my skin on the left hand
port underneath my skin on the left hand
port underneath my skin on the left hand side from that port there’s a tube that
side from that port there’s a tube that
side from that port there’s a tube that travels up towards your neck and at the
travels up towards your neck and at the
travels up towards your neck and at the end of that tube is a line that’s
end of that tube is a line that’s
end of that tube is a line that’s inserted into your interior jugular vein
inserted into your interior jugular vein
inserted into your interior jugular vein so for each of my four chemo treatments
so for each of my four chemo treatments
so for each of my four chemo treatments they hooked those IV lines up to the
they hooked those IV lines up to the
they hooked those IV lines up to the port and for two and a half hours the
port and for two and a half hours the
port and for two and a half hours the chemo drugs that they gave me dripped
chemo drugs that they gave me dripped
chemo drugs that they gave me dripped into my jugular vein and from there
into my jugular vein and from there
into my jugular vein and from there throughout my entire body now cancer
throughout my entire body now cancer
throughout my entire body now cancer cells multiply very rapidly but they
cells multiply very rapidly but they
cells multiply very rapidly but they don’t die off like healthy cells do so
don’t die off like healthy cells do so
don’t die off like healthy cells do so the chemo is designed to attack all the
the chemo is designed to attack all the
the chemo is designed to attack all the fast-growing cells in your body hair is
fast-growing cells in your body hair is
fast-growing cells in your body hair is a fast growing cell so about two weeks
a fast growing cell so about two weeks
a fast growing cell so about two weeks after my first chemo treatment I started
after my first chemo treatment I started
after my first chemo treatment I started losing my hair it was on my pillow when
losing my hair it was on my pillow when
losing my hair it was on my pillow when I woke up in the morning it was on my
I woke up in the morning it was on my
I woke up in the morning it was on my clothes and the worst was when I would
clothes and the worst was when I would
clothes and the worst was when I would take a shower because I washed my hair
take a shower because I washed my hair
take a shower because I washed my hair and my hands would come away with just
and my hands would come away with just
and my hands would come away with just covered in hair it was gross
covered in hair it was gross
covered in hair it was gross I mean we all lose hair every day but
I mean we all lose hair every day but
I mean we all lose hair every day but this was extreme so I called my stylist
this was extreme so I called my stylist
this was extreme so I called my stylist of 26 years and she came over I took off
of 26 years and she came over I took off
of 26 years and she came over I took off my glasses and she worked on my head
my glasses and she worked on my head
my glasses and she worked on my head until it was smooth to the touch and I
until it was smooth to the touch and I
until it was smooth to the touch and I put my glasses back on and I looked in
put my glasses back on and I looked in
put my glasses back on and I looked in the mirror and I said the very first
the mirror and I said the very first
the mirror and I said the very first words that came to my mind I look like a
words that came to my mind I look like a
words that came to my mind I look like a Star Trek alien
this was a stunning life-changing moment
this was a stunning life-changing moment the woman looking back at me was so
the woman looking back at me was so
the woman looking back at me was so different than the one that had looked
different than the one that had looked
different than the one that had looked back at me just a few minutes before I
back at me just a few minutes before I
back at me just a few minutes before I wasn’t sure what to do with this women
wasn’t sure what to do with this women
wasn’t sure what to do with this women are not supposed to be bald think about
are not supposed to be bald think about
are not supposed to be bald think about it you can name a lot of famous bald men
it you can name a lot of famous bald men
it you can name a lot of famous bald men but famous bald women unless it’s a
but famous bald women unless it’s a
but famous bald women unless it’s a movie rule and you know society has no
movie rule and you know society has no
movie rule and you know society has no issue with bald men they’re shiny domes
issue with bald men they’re shiny domes
issue with bald men they’re shiny domes can be sexy
can be sexy
can be sexy a sign of virility there goes a man
a sign of virility there goes a man
a sign of virility there goes a man comfortable in his own skin but bald
comfortable in his own skin but bald
comfortable in his own skin but bald women certainly the one looking back at
women certainly the one looking back at
women certainly the one looking back at me was not going to be gracing the cover
me was not going to be gracing the cover
me was not going to be gracing the cover of a magazine this really was quite a
of a magazine this really was quite a
of a magazine this really was quite a moment because I was filled with
moment because I was filled with
moment because I was filled with questions this was a scary me a
questions this was a scary me a
questions this was a scary me a different me a me with cancer I was
different me a me with cancer I was
different me a me with cancer I was afraid of how people would react when
afraid of how people would react when
afraid of how people would react when they saw me bald
they saw me bald
they saw me bald I tried scarves not a good look
I tried scarves not a good look
I tried scarves not a good look wigs made me claustrophobic and you know
wigs made me claustrophobic and you know
wigs made me claustrophobic and you know how many hats say one size fits all
how many hats say one size fits all
how many hats say one size fits all that’s a total lie
adjustable baseball caps became my new
adjustable baseball caps became my new best friends and I never left the house
best friends and I never left the house
best friends and I never left the house without one in the beginning not even to
without one in the beginning not even to
without one in the beginning not even to get the mail but it got really hard
get the mail but it got really hard
get the mail but it got really hard really quick to decide exactly which hat
really quick to decide exactly which hat
really quick to decide exactly which hat I should wear with which outfit and why
I should wear with which outfit and why
I should wear with which outfit and why did it matter and it’s summer and my
did it matter and it’s summer and my
did it matter and it’s summer and my head is hot and sweaty
and so I looked at myself ball this
and so I looked at myself ball this could be in the mirror and I said who
could be in the mirror and I said who
could be in the mirror and I said who are you
are you
are you how important is that media image can I
how important is that media image can I
how important is that media image can I be me if I don’t look like me
my grandson’s actually were the ones who
my grandson’s actually were the ones who helped me through this now I will tell
helped me through this now I will tell
helped me through this now I will tell you the first time they came to the door
you the first time they came to the door
you the first time they came to the door and they saw me bald they were a little
and they saw me bald they were a little
and they saw me bald they were a little skeptical oh when is the older Hughes
skeptical oh when is the older Hughes
skeptical oh when is the older Hughes for Ethan his too and they looked at me
for Ethan his too and they looked at me
for Ethan his too and they looked at me and finally Ethan said naana why you’ve
and finally Ethan said naana why you’ve
and finally Ethan said naana why you’ve got no hair and then they came inside
got no hair and then they came inside
got no hair and then they came inside and we played and we read stories and we
and we played and we read stories and we
and we played and we read stories and we ate dinner and those two little boys
ate dinner and those two little boys
ate dinner and those two little boys when they looked at me they were not
when they looked at me they were not
when they looked at me they were not looking at a scary bald woman who might
looking at a scary bald woman who might
looking at a scary bald woman who might die from cancer they were looking at
die from cancer they were looking at
die from cancer they were looking at their momma somebody who made love and
their momma somebody who made love and
their momma somebody who made love and who loves them back unconditionally so
who loves them back unconditionally so
who loves them back unconditionally so once again I looked at myself and I said
once again I looked at myself and I said
once again I looked at myself and I said what’s different I have know him
what’s different I have know him
what’s different I have know him what’s the same my height I’m still
what’s the same my height I’m still
what’s the same my height I’m still short it didn’t change my weight sadly
short it didn’t change my weight sadly
short it didn’t change my weight sadly my smile was the same my funky little
my smile was the same my funky little
my smile was the same my funky little toe didn’t change my laugh my hopes my
toe didn’t change my laugh my hopes my
toe didn’t change my laugh my hopes my dreams
dreams
dreams my lungs they were all still me and so I
my lungs they were all still me and so I
my lungs they were all still me and so I just decided to take my bald self out
just decided to take my bald self out
just decided to take my bald self out there for the world and astonishing
there for the world and astonishing
there for the world and astonishing things happen women started coming up to
things happen women started coming up to
things happen women started coming up to me on the sidewalk in the grocery store
me on the sidewalk in the grocery store
me on the sidewalk in the grocery store at the library at church and they would
at the library at church and they would
at the library at church and they would say things like I used to have a hairdo
say things like I used to have a hairdo
say things like I used to have a hairdo like that or I’m a 10-year survivor or
like that or I’m a 10-year survivor or
like that or I’m a 10-year survivor or the one that really got me because never
the one that really got me because never
the one that really got me because never ever in my life had a stranger said this
ever in my life had a stranger said this
ever in my life had a stranger said this to me before you are beautiful I learned
to me before you are beautiful I learned
to me before you are beautiful I learned so much from people going through this
so much from people going through this
so much from people going through this journey with cancer as a bald woman we
journey with cancer as a bald woman we
journey with cancer as a bald woman we are never alone you know when I found
are never alone you know when I found
are never alone you know when I found out I had cancer I wanted to just go sit
out I had cancer I wanted to just go sit
out I had cancer I wanted to just go sit in my room I didn’t want anyone to know
in my room I didn’t want anyone to know
in my room I didn’t want anyone to know and there’s something about a diagnosis
and there’s something about a diagnosis
and there’s something about a diagnosis like that that makes you think I’m the
like that that makes you think I’m the
like that that makes you think I’m the only one there’s no one else out there
only one there’s no one else out there
only one there’s no one else out there with this problem in fact there are 3.1
with this problem in fact there are 3.1
with this problem in fact there are 3.1 million women in the United States right
million women in the United States right
million women in the United States right now who are either undergoing treatment
now who are either undergoing treatment
now who are either undergoing treatment for breast cancer or who are breast
for breast cancer or who are breast
for breast cancer or who are breast cancer survivors I wasn’t alone and when
cancer survivors I wasn’t alone and when
cancer survivors I wasn’t alone and when I decided to tell people about my cancer
I decided to tell people about my cancer
I decided to tell people about my cancer and they told people who told people I
and they told people who told people I
and they told people who told people I was blown away by the support that I
was blown away by the support that I
was blown away by the support that I received cards flowers gift baskets
received cards flowers gift baskets
received cards flowers gift baskets blankets visits meals for me and my
blankets visits meals for me and my
blankets visits meals for me and my family I was bathed with these things
family I was bathed with these things
family I was bathed with these things and I was surrounded by prayer I am a
and I was surrounded by prayer I am a
and I was surrounded by prayer I am a very strong believer in the power of
very strong believer in the power of
very strong believer in the power of prayer prayer unites us it makes us
prayer prayer unites us it makes us
prayer prayer unites us it makes us stronger and it’s a way that we share
stronger and it’s a way that we share
stronger and it’s a way that we share our stories especially our burdens I had
our stories especially our burdens I had
our stories especially our burdens I had family friends acquaintances even the
family friends acquaintances even the
family friends acquaintances even the cashier in the grocery store wanted to
cashier in the grocery store wanted to
cashier in the grocery store wanted to mine know my name so he could pray for
mine know my name so he could pray for
mine know my name so he could pray for me total strangers we are never alone
there’s fear versus reality too you know
there’s fear versus reality too you know when I was diagnosed with and told I
when I was diagnosed with and told I
when I was diagnosed with and told I needed chemo it was worse than the day
needed chemo it was worse than the day
needed chemo it was worse than the day they said you have cancer and I went in
they said you have cancer and I went in
they said you have cancer and I went in my room and I closed the door and I laid
my room and I closed the door and I laid
my room and I closed the door and I laid on the bed and I cried and I didn’t want
on the bed and I cried and I didn’t want
on the bed and I cried and I didn’t want to talk to anybody and I watched stupid
to talk to anybody and I watched stupid
to talk to anybody and I watched stupid TV and I think it was because I had
TV and I think it was because I had
TV and I think it was because I had heard so many stories about chemo
heard so many stories about chemo
heard so many stories about chemo that I was afraid of it but for me the
that I was afraid of it but for me the
that I was afraid of it but for me the reality wasn’t near as bad as what I had
reality wasn’t near as bad as what I had
reality wasn’t near as bad as what I had feared I was in the restroom one morning
feared I was in the restroom one morning
feared I was in the restroom one morning washing my hands and a woman came up to
washing my hands and a woman came up to
washing my hands and a woman came up to me and she said can I ask you a personal
me and she said can I ask you a personal
me and she said can I ask you a personal question
question
question I said sure she said do you have
I said sure she said do you have
I said sure she said do you have alopecia
alopecia
alopecia now alopecia affects mainly women but
now alopecia affects mainly women but
now alopecia affects mainly women but can affect men and when you have it your
can affect men and when you have it your
can affect men and when you have it your immune system attacks your hair
immune system attacks your hair
immune system attacks your hair follicles and it can cause complete and
follicles and it can cause complete and
follicles and it can cause complete and total baldness so I looked at her and I
total baldness so I looked at her and I
total baldness so I looked at her and I said no I’m bald because of my cancer
said no I’m bald because of my cancer
said no I’m bald because of my cancer treatment
treatment
treatment she said you’re so brave
she said you’re so brave
she said you’re so brave and then she looked at me and there was
and then she looked at me and there was
and then she looked at me and there was such fear in her eyes and she said I
such fear in her eyes and she said I
such fear in her eyes and she said I have alopecia what’s it like to be bald
have alopecia what’s it like to be bald
have alopecia what’s it like to be bald and I was so glad that I could honestly
and I was so glad that I could honestly
and I was so glad that I could honestly look at her and say it’s not bad at all
look at her and say it’s not bad at all
look at her and say it’s not bad at all in fact it’s one of the best things
in fact it’s one of the best things
in fact it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me
that’s ever happened to me
that’s ever happened to me how often what we fear is so much worse
how often what we fear is so much worse
how often what we fear is so much worse than what actually is another
than what actually is another
than what actually is another astonishing thing that I learned was
astonishing thing that I learned was
astonishing thing that I learned was that people look to me to see how they
that people look to me to see how they
that people look to me to see how they should react to my cancer if I was
should react to my cancer if I was
should react to my cancer if I was comfortable being bald they could be
comfortable being bald they could be
comfortable being bald they could be comfortable around me if I wasn’t
comfortable around me if I wasn’t
comfortable around me if I wasn’t letting cancer get me down they didn’t
letting cancer get me down they didn’t
letting cancer get me down they didn’t have to let my cancer get them down
have to let my cancer get them down
have to let my cancer get them down it was my positive attitude not my
it was my positive attitude not my
it was my positive attitude not my appearance that had the power to change
appearance that had the power to change
appearance that had the power to change someone’s day you see we all have
someone’s day you see we all have
someone’s day you see we all have struggles but if we approach them
struggles but if we approach them
struggles but if we approach them positively and people can see that then
positively and people can see that then
positively and people can see that then whatever struggles they’re facing maybe
whatever struggles they’re facing maybe
whatever struggles they’re facing maybe don’t seems bad you have the power to
don’t seems bad you have the power to
don’t seems bad you have the power to change someone’s day through your
change someone’s day through your
change someone’s day through your attitude your positive attitude you can
attitude your positive attitude you can
attitude your positive attitude you can wake up with the absolute worst bedhead
wake up with the absolute worst bedhead
wake up with the absolute worst bedhead of your life and walk out the door with
of your life and walk out the door with
of your life and walk out the door with it and yes your friends are gonna laugh
it and yes your friends are gonna laugh
it and yes your friends are gonna laugh at you but people you encounter
at you but people you encounter
at you but people you encounter if you give them a smile or a word of
if you give them a smile or a word of
if you give them a smile or a word of encouragement or help with a tough
encouragement or help with a tough
encouragement or help with a tough homework assignment or a shoulder to cry
homework assignment or a shoulder to cry
homework assignment or a shoulder to cry on that’s what they’re going to remember
on that’s what they’re going to remember
on that’s what they’re going to remember about you and blessings five hundred
about you and blessings five hundred
about you and blessings five hundred ninety five thousand six hundred and
ninety five thousand six hundred and
ninety five thousand six hundred and ninety people died from cancer last year
ninety people died from cancer last year
ninety people died from cancer last year I knew two of them so when you get that
I knew two of them so when you get that
I knew two of them so when you get that diagnosis it’s really easy to say why me
diagnosis it’s really easy to say why me
diagnosis it’s really easy to say why me poor me then we all fall into that trap
poor me then we all fall into that trap
poor me then we all fall into that trap sometimes and I did that first day with
sometimes and I did that first day with
sometimes and I did that first day with chemo but the next morning I woke up and
chemo but the next morning I woke up and
chemo but the next morning I woke up and I looked in the mirror and I said no no
I looked in the mirror and I said no no
I looked in the mirror and I said no no more and I chose to look past the cancer
more and I chose to look past the cancer
more and I chose to look past the cancer and at the many blessings I have in my
and at the many blessings I have in my
and at the many blessings I have in my life a kiss from my husband
life a kiss from my husband
life a kiss from my husband conversations with my kids
conversations with my kids
conversations with my kids hugs from my grandkids lunch with my mom
hugs from my grandkids lunch with my mom
hugs from my grandkids lunch with my mom a glass of wine with a friend a blue sky
a glass of wine with a friend a blue sky
a glass of wine with a friend a blue sky a walk around the block the grandeur of
a walk around the block the grandeur of
a walk around the block the grandeur of Pikes Peak out my window every day we
Pikes Peak out my window every day we
Pikes Peak out my window every day we all have blessings in our lives it’s
all have blessings in our lives it’s
all have blessings in our lives it’s just that sometimes they’re so small we
just that sometimes they’re so small we
just that sometimes they’re so small we almost don’t see them
appearances matter or do they because
appearances matter or do they because honestly I think appearances and be
honestly I think appearances and be
honestly I think appearances and be deceiving I don’t know what you’re
deceiving I don’t know what you’re
deceiving I don’t know what you’re hiding underneath your hair maybe it’s
hiding underneath your hair maybe it’s
hiding underneath your hair maybe it’s the loss of someone you love through
the loss of someone you love through
the loss of someone you love through death or divorce or move across the
death or divorce or move across the
death or divorce or move across the country or a bad breakup your hair can’t
country or a bad breakup your hair can’t
country or a bad breakup your hair can’t tell me if you live with abuse or
tell me if you live with abuse or
tell me if you live with abuse or addiction or a job that barely lets you
addiction or a job that barely lets you
addiction or a job that barely lets you get by or if you’re suffering from
get by or if you’re suffering from
get by or if you’re suffering from loneliness or despair I can’t tell just
loneliness or despair I can’t tell just
loneliness or despair I can’t tell just by looking at you what troubles you are
by looking at you what troubles you are
by looking at you what troubles you are hiding but society does tell us that
hiding but society does tell us that
hiding but society does tell us that appearances matter when I look in the
appearances matter when I look in the
appearances matter when I look in the mirror each morning I can choose that or
mirror each morning I can choose that or
mirror each morning I can choose that or with the grace of God and the strength
with the grace of God and the strength
with the grace of God and the strength of my community I can say not that much
of my community I can say not that much
of my community I can say not that much if I live with authenticity being myself
if I live with authenticity being myself
if I live with authenticity being myself not that image that I’m posting on
not that image that I’m posting on
not that image that I’m posting on snapchat or Instagram but me from the
snapchat or Instagram but me from the
snapchat or Instagram but me from the heart if I can live with compassion
heart if I can live with compassion
heart if I can live with compassion because we do all have struggles and the
because we do all have struggles and the
because we do all have struggles and the more we support each other the more
more we support each other the more
more we support each other the more compassion we have for one another the
compassion we have for one another the
compassion we have for one another the easier those struggles are to bear and I
easier those struggles are to bear and I
easier those struggles are to bear and I can choose to live with gratitude for
can choose to live with gratitude for
can choose to live with gratitude for everything I have including and
everything I have including and
everything I have including and especially the really tough stuff and
especially the really tough stuff and
especially the really tough stuff and love I have been bathed in love I know
love I have been bathed in love I know
love I have been bathed in love I know that I couldn’t do what I have done
that I couldn’t do what I have done
that I couldn’t do what I have done without that love it’s the best thing
without that love it’s the best thing
without that love it’s the best thing that we have to give one another because
that we have to give one another because
that we have to give one another because you see we’re all gonna wake up tomorrow
you see we’re all gonna wake up tomorrow
you see we’re all gonna wake up tomorrow morning and we’re all gonna look in the
morning and we’re all gonna look in the
morning and we’re all gonna look in the mirror and we’re gonna do what we do and
mirror and we’re gonna do what we do and
mirror and we’re gonna do what we do and we’re gonna leave the house either
we’re gonna leave the house either
we’re gonna leave the house either satisfied with what we saw or I’m out of
satisfied with what we saw or I’m out of
satisfied with what we saw or I’m out of time I gotta go
but how tomorrow goes depends on you you
but how tomorrow goes depends on you you see my life since January has not been
see my life since January has not been
see my life since January has not been astonishing because I was bald you don’t
astonishing because I was bald you don’t
astonishing because I was bald you don’t have to be bald to have an astonishing
have to be bald to have an astonishing
have to be bald to have an astonishing life all you need is to live
life all you need is to live
life all you need is to live authentically
authentically
authentically with compassion with gratitude and with
with compassion with gratitude and with
with compassion with gratitude and with love and no matter what you struggle
love and no matter what you struggle
love and no matter what you struggle with and you will struggle if you have
with and you will struggle if you have
with and you will struggle if you have those things you will have an
those things you will have an
those things you will have an astonishing life
”
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