This month, as I think about breast cancer awareness, I cannot help but think about all of my loved ones who have had to travel this road. Breast cancer is not a respecter of age, skin color, marital status, income, or religion. It comes in like a storm, uprooting lives and families, shaking them to the core. Everything changes in an instant whether they are ready or not.

 Today, I want to remind all of you out there who have battled or are in the middle of battling breast cancer, that you are powerful, strong, and beautiful women; and you are braver than you think. Keep being brave.

Being brave doesn’t mean I am fearless. It just means that when I am scared, I muster up the courage and do it anyway.

Being brave doesn’t mean I am always strong. It only means I know where my strength comes from.

Being brave doesn’t mean I am worry free. It means that in the face of all those worries, I come to realize the value of each day and choose to spend it on things that will last and make a difference.

Being brave doesn’t mean I know I will live. It just means that in the face of death, as I trudge forward into the unknown, that I cling to my God and my loved ones, choosing to make every moment count, even when I am unsure of how many moments I may have left.

Being brave doesn’t mean I am happy. It means that I choose joy, even when the circumstances around me are heavy and hard.

Being brave doesn’t mean I am emotionless. It means tears for every occasion; joyful, sorrowful, happy, sad, in healing and in sickness. Tears speak in ways that words can never express.

Being brave doesn’t mean I can do it all by myself. It means that I have learned how to ask for help and lean on my family and friends when I have nothing left to offer.

Being brave doesn’t mean I am rested. It means that even though I am weary and worn, I do it anyway.

Being brave doesn’t mean I know I will beat cancer. It means that I will keep fighting to the end, no matter how hard the fight.

Being brave doesn’t mean I am okay. It just means that I have put on my big girl pants and will do whatever it takes to be okay again.

Being brave doesn’t mean it is over. It means I have learned how to add life to my years.

Being brave isn’t a curse. It is a gift. It is a gift that not everyone gets to experience, but for those of us who do, we know God is our sustainer and he alone makes us brave.