Ann’s Diary: My Mother’s Day Gift

My kids keep asking me what I want for Mother’s Day.  I keep telling them I already got it.

Six years ago today I stood in a backyard on a sunny day hugging my son so tightly he might have lost his breath. I released him in enough time for him to run down the hill and chase a ball that his 5 year old self desperately wanted to play with–carefree and happy in the knowledge that I was still with him, having just been diagnosed with breast cancer.  What followed was a painful year of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation but we did it–we all did it–my family and I made it to the next Mother’s Day, and the next, and the next and well…here we are.

This morning I hugged that same little boy, now on the threshold of the tween years, before he ran to grab a super-sized styrofoam airplane he desperately wanted to throw in the field.  My cancer is still something my kids, husband and I all think about,  but for the most part we are carefree and happy in the knowledge that while it did take me down breast cancer did not take me out.  I am still here.  I am still a mother to my children.  I still get to open my eyes and see the faces of these little people so desperate to please me on a day like today.  That’s why when they ask me what I want for this big holiday I tell them I already got it.

I got to be here today. That is what I wanted.  And it’s what I hope I’ll always get for Mother’s Day.

Comments

Posted May 9th, 2010 by
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6 Comments

  • http://www.fightpink.org Stacy

    Ann,

    Thank you for reminding me everyday what an awesome inspiration you are! We both got our Mother’s Day wish! Life is beautiful!

    Stacy

  • http://ProjectPink Ann Murray Paige

    Thank you Stacy! I know you know how I feel! Happy Mother’s Day to you..

  • Joanne

    Dear Ann, I just finished watching your film Breast Cancer Diaries. Thank you for sharing your experience, which is quite similar to mine actually, except my children are in their 20s, receiving Herceptin every three weeks for year. I share your concerns regarding this insidious disease, and your passion for wanting to embrace every moment with your family. It is comforting for me to see how well you are doing.
    Many thanks, Jo

  • http://www.projectpinkdiary.com Ann Murray Paige

    Thank you Joanne! I am honored that you watched the film and I am with you on the survival front. Take good care of you.

  • Wendy Sheppard

    Ann,

    I finally got the chance to watch the Breast Cancer Diaries. I was moved to tears several times. Your children are beautiful. I am impressed by your strength and courage to share such a personal story. I think you have done a wonderful thing with this website and with your talks around the country (around the world!). I often think of Virginia Kraus, our NDA classmate, who passed away from breast cancer several years ago, and her mother, who also died from breast cancer, and I wish we could find the cause and cure for this terrible disease. Thank you for all that you are doing, for being such a vocal advocate against breast cancer.

    Warmly,
    Wendy Rawson Sheppard

  • http://www.projectpinkdiary.com Ann Murray Paige

    Wendy I am honored that you watched and I thank you for your kind words. I think of Virginia all the time, and Kathy Ryan, and too many others in my world who’ve been taken by this awful disease. Warm thoughts to you and thanks again…

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