Skip to main content

My Sister Sharon, My Inspiration

I have something I want to share with everyone. Some of you know my sister Sharon died from breast cancer. What you don't know is that she was a great writer. I have read her thoughts before but now they have a whole new meaning to me. When I would read them I would always think about what she must have been going through at the time, and now I know. She was an inspiration to me and to everyone around her. Here is something that I came across that I can relate to in certain ways. I know I have some friends out there that have had mastectomies that will find this a great inspiration. It is called Self Love.

Today I will make friends with the area of my body that has been through surgery. I will look at myself in the mirror and not think of myself as disfigured just because I look different.

I will focus on the fact that once, where there used to be a mound of flesh, there is now a flatter more hollow surface that, when touched, puts me that much closer to my heart and soul.

 I will realize that yes, I do look different, and yes, it does take some getting used to, but I am alive. I AM ALIVE.

What was taken from me in the desperate chance to prolong my life has given me, in return, a whole new sense of how precious and short life is, and that now is the time to re-evaluate how I want to spend the rest of my precious time here on this earth.

When I get dressed and walk from this room to greet this new day, I will so it with pride and self-love. Most of all, I will feel so grateful that I have gained a whole new insight about my life, and that from here and now I will begin making the most of it.

Written by Sharon L. Shank Copyright 1997 (Please use only with permission)

My sister Sue compiled Sharon’s writings after she died and gave a copy to my mom, and my other sister Pam. What wonderful memories we have of our sister. I have so many more to share that I will be posting soon. Thanks. Hope you like it. Trish

Comments

Anonymous said…
How beautiful and inspiring.

Krissy
http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink
October 26, 2006 at 10:32 PM
Anonymous said…
Beautifully written and very heartfelt.  She put her heart and soul into that..  thank you so much for sharing it with us, Trish..

Hugs
Jackie
October 26, 2006 at 10:42 PM
Anonymous said…
Trish, what a beautiful poem !!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing, Hugs Lisa
October 26, 2006 at 11:26 PM
Anonymous said…
How very touching.  You must be in tears reading her words, I know I am!!  She was a beautiful person and a wonderful writer.
October 27, 2006 at 2:47 AM
Anonymous said…
What a powerful and beautiful entry.
d
http://journals.aol.com/nightmaremom/Thisandthatandhockey/

October 27, 2006 at 6:52 AM
Anonymous said…
thank you for sharing this is is beautiful!  Linda
October 27, 2006 at 7:25 AM
Anonymous said…
Another beautiful soul taken before this world was ready to let her go. ((((Trish))))

XOXO
Kimberleigh

October 27, 2006 at 7:54 AM
Anonymous said…
What a BEAUTIFUL entry. Thank you so much for sharing. Continuing to keeping you in my prayers. Thank you for your visit also.
Michele
October 27, 2006 at 1:39 PM
Anonymous said…
Wow, Trish, your sister's words are truly inspiring.  Thank you for sharing them!  I am sure that your sister's experience adds a whole different dimension to your battle for your entire family.  I am glad that you are able to draw upon your sister's writings as a source of strength.  I look forward to reading more.  I hope you are feeling well!  I think of you often and will continue to check in!
Love, Kristin
October 27, 2006 at 5:19 PM
Anonymous said…
Beautiful post Trish.
Hugs,
Dana
http://journals.aol.com/rainy35/RoadToSuccess
October 28, 2006 at 9:37 AM
Anonymous said…
Hi there,((((((((((((((((((HUGSTOYOU))))))))))))))))))Your entry is amazing,makes me want to cry.You dont want to dwell on life,that is amazng,you want to live,I belive you are living your life.I guess as the say goes,live as if it is your last.You have so much courge.God bless you and have a wodnerful day.

October 28, 2006 at 1:44 PM
Anonymous said…
Thank you so much for sharing that,
what a wonderful outlook on life Sharon had..
so glad your family have those to look back on.

Hugss..~Terri~
October 28, 2006 at 3:23 PM
Anonymous said…
Thank you for sharing.

Love n prayers to you:)
Niki
October 29, 2006 at 12:04 AM
Anonymous said…
thanks so much for sharing that. I'm so sorry about your wonderful sister passing away. I know it must still be hard.

October 30, 2006 at 8:45 PM
Anonymous said…
Trish......I am so very sorry to hear about your sister......Her writing's are beautiful......Thank you so much for sharing them
Hugs
Jayne
November 4, 2006 at 4:38 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chemo Sucks!

This 3rd chemo has really kicked my butt.  I am just not snapping out of it. I am so tired and nauseated. I am really starting to hate this.  I went to the doctor and my red cell count is low and I am anemic. I had to get a shot and I will get it once a week until my count comes up.  I really can't wait until March when this is over. It seems like it will be forever before it gets here.  I am really trying not to get down about this but I am really sick of feeling like this.  I'm hungry and have no appetite. I force myself to eat then I'm sick. UGGG! I also have been having really bad leg cramps. The kind that you wake up with and your toes flare out!  My calves feel like I ran 20 miles. I feel so bad because I have not been calling my friends. I have just been so down and feeling icky.  I hope everyone understands. OK enough whining. I stayed at my sisters for 2 days and then came home to find out my dog was sick while I was gone....
13 comments
Read more

Radiation begins!

I waited ten days to hear from someone about starting radiation and this morning I get a call saying, can you be here at 11:45? Yikes no time to think! I was really nervous about it. I called my mom and she came to my rescue. Today was actually a dry run, I start tomorrow and I don’t really have a schedule yet. I have to do it at their convenience because there are no regular time slots open. So starting tomorrow I will go everyday except Saturday and Sunday for 7 weeks for a total of 35 treatments. That means I will end some where around June 12. I heard it takes longer to change your clothes than it does to do the treatment. Today I had to lay on the table in the little form they made for me and this huge machine rotated around me and they made sure everything was lining up right. They also gave me a little bar code on a card that I have to scan everyday and it lets them know I am there for treatment. Then I go into the changing room and change into my lovely gown. Then I just wai...
12 comments
Read more

I have good news!

I have some great news! I went to the doctor today and found out that I am officially in remission!!! Yup That's right cancer free!! I have been waiting for the results for 2 weeks, it was a long 2 weeks, but Yay! I can move on to radiation now. I don’t even have to go back to the Docs for a month! After going every Monday for 7 months, that was music to my ears. I celebrated until I got home and checked my computer and found out my friend from another journal who has been great support for me and going through this at the same time as me found out today she has a malignant tumor in her lung. She is a fighter I know she is. She is only 3 months out of chemo and now this. It is really hard for me to celebrate knowing what she has to go through. On my sidebar of my journal main page there is a link to her journal. It is "I Shaved My Legs For This?" Stay strong Kim. I am feeling really good. Aside from being tired I think I might be getting back to normal. My mind is raci...
13 comments
Read more