Wednesday, Oct. 15:  There are 31 days in October!!

October is a long month.  It starts out fresh and crisp with the promise of changing colors, scented fall candles, and toasty fireplaces.  But, when you are a breast cancer “thriver”, October is a month where you are bombarded by commercials, TV interviews, and billboards about…you guessed it- breast cancer.  Breast Cancer Awareness Month- really trust me I AM AWARE.  Ha   Even the pizza we ordered the other night had a pink ribbon on the lid the size of Mount Rushmore.

Now, do I appreciate the fundraising dollars aimed at research?  YES!   Do I understand that people are trying to be compassionate? You betcha!  Do I value the positive energy and well-wishers’ thoughts and prayers?  ABSOLUTELY!  Do I like the month of October? Not anymore…

I wait in line at Kroger and the cute little blonde with the perkiest breasts you’ve ever seen, asks me if I’d like to contribute to the fund for breast cancer?  Hmmmm… Gee, I feel like I’ve contributed quite a bit- I mean two breasts seems like a pretty hefty contribution to me.  But, I reach in my wallet and pull out a dollar.  I smile back at her- positive there is no way she could possibly know the reason MY breasts are so perky…

I get on my Facebook page only to find a site that I previously “liked,” is now listing how to prevent breast cancer.  Well… missed the boat on that one!

So, this is my second October when pink is not simply a color anymore.  Pink tells me I am not surviving – but thriving.  Pink tells me I am here today and that’s pretty damn good.  In the words of my surgeon as she held my hand before my life was about to change in unfathomable ways: “Pink- you’ll learn to love it or you’ll learn to hate it.  It’s a choice.”

I choose love.  Pink…it’s not just a color anymore. And October- hey, I’ve got this… only 16 more days to go.   🙂