I am now proud to say that I am a breast cancer survivor...yes I was faced with breast cancer surgery late last year. I faced my fear of surgery. I really didn't have a choice in the matter. It comes down to a life and death decision. and my decision was to continue to live and be well.
Having found out that I was cancer free left me feeling naturally relieved, but there was a part of me that felt so sad as I walked out of my doctor 's office. There, in the waiting room, women sat with expressionless faces, not knowing their fate. As we know many women suffer terribly from cancer and many loose their battle, That pains me and I am forever grateful to have survived.
Downsizing to an amazing apartment was challenging especially during a pandemic. Gosh we collect so much unnecessary stuff...it was a great feeling to give away house hold articles that I know will help others. Hubby said it was time for me to retire and do the things that I want to do. At first I wasn't all that keen to stay home but with COVID -19, I really didn't have a choice. However life at home brings me to my next chapter which includes writing a children's book, raising funds for Kelly-Anne's Scholarship Fund at Concordia and continuing to build awareness about domestic abuse and the needed changes to our justice system. So I think I have a lot of my plate.
The leaves have changed their color and many are covering the green grass. I find it pretty however there is a dull feeling in my stomach as we approach October and the sixteenth anniversary of loosing Kelly-Anne. The memories of October 3rd, 4th and 5th are still so clear to me...it is actually unnerving. Will they ever fade? I think not. Maybe they should not fade as these horrific days are a clear reminder of what we and unfortunately other families who have gone through the same situation feel.
This year the Kelly-Anne Cup will be different. There will be a competition between Concordia and University de Montréal Women's Rugby teams. They will run for the cup. But what will not change is that we will continue to raise funds for Women Aware as we do each year at the game. Women Aware help many women each year who are victims of domestic abuse.
Take a minute to read about them: https://www.womenaware.ca/
If you feel moved to donate, please do so in memory of Kelly-Anne.
This past year, again we saw horrific stories of women being murdered and children been used as pawns who were kidnapped then murderer. This has to stop. Let's work together in the name of Kelly-Anne and all women who have been murdered to stop this abuse from happening. There is help.
