Launch Out

 

I just can't get my breast cancer friends off my mind.  Recently, a favorite movie has not only reminded me of their bond, but the song at the end of the movie does too.  The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants is the story of four young girls who find themselves at a crossroads in their lives.  A simple pair of jeans helps them keep in touch through several years after they graduate high school, while they experience independence both in life - and from each other.  In the process, as is said in the movie "we had to learn how to be ourselves-without losing each other."

The Breast Cancer Sisterhood was shaken to the core several months ago.  In one day, two of their blogging friends died.  Also during that time Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was having internal and political problems causing anxiety on a global level.  Since 1982, they had been the brightest beacon of hope for the fight against breast cancer.  I could sense that this tight-knit community was reeling from grief, and the foundation of their great expectations from Komen had been cracked.  I'm not sure that trust will ever be regained.  Time will tell.

But what I have witnessed lately is quite remarkable.  This fall-out has given these women a precious gift.  Just recently several have made incredible milestones in their journey, and have celebrated their "ahhh" moments!  And yesterday, which was Memorial Day, one went up, up and away in a plane flying high and so free, sending back beautiful photos from her excursion!  Another posted on Twitter that she had "purged" a bunch of cancer information from a ring binder, which she declared would now be used for her kids.

What am I seeing?  These women are turning back again to "life".  They have rallied for each other through thick and thin, and I know they will continue to.  I am so proud of them for pushing onward.  The weakness that brought them together has given them strength to let go and continue forward.  I didn't have social media to lean on when I started out - it didn't exist.  My faith in God was all I had, and that got me through.  And then He led me to these amazing women.  I have faith in my faith, but I also have faith in them.  I believe they will continue to get better and better. 

There is something extraordinary that happens when the rug is pulled out from under us.  We are forced to find our own strength, and to go in directions that are unfamiliar.  We go with fear and trepidation, but we go.  And that is a gift.  The gift of moving and progressing.  When one has good news, another has hope, and hope leads to life. 
So, here's to the sisterhood...(me included!)

"These Days" - theme song "Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants" by Chantal Kreviazuk
If you want to listen...

or just read:

What's this life anyway
what's it to you and me
what's it to anyone
who are we supposed to be

Make me a storybook and
write me away from here
I need a different now.

Chorus:

Where we can
wear each other for a while
and I'll lend you my tears
if I could borrow a smile

And we'll get through tomorrow
somehow today
Happy after, Once upon these days.

It's for roads to anywhere
and ways to everything
we were unbreakable
we spoke our destiny

Let's take a moment now
and go where we've never gone
let's make a new world now.

Chorus:

Where we can
wear each other for a while
and I'll lend you my tears
If I could borrow a smile

And we'll get through tomorrow
somehow today
Happy after, Once upon these days.

And then one day we'll find looking back on
this time wonderin' how we've come so far
from this and when we close our eyes

What's this life anyway
what's it to you and me
what are we doin' here
and who are we supposed to be

I'll take a better world
Oh, I'll take anything
I'll take a new world now.

Where we can
wear each other for a while
and I'll lend you my tears
if I could borrow a smile

And we'll get through tomorrow
somehow today
Happy after, Once upon these days.

I love you girls! @chemobrainfog @chemo_babe @LovlyKatieLumps @regrounding @xeni @Bethlgainer @RachelPappas @jackiefox12 @stales @itsthebunk @cancerHAWK @MOONorganics  and so many more...You are an inspiration to me, thank you!

Now, to Faith: Here's Alvin Slaughter singing "Launch Out"

And when there's none to help, trust me I've found out, God can. Put your whole trust in Him.