i'm better for it friday

Welcome everyone to the FIRST 

in my 6 week series

of "IM BETTER FOR IT" stories as told 

by YOU...

my fellow friend bloggers.

Today Cathy from artsybutterfly

is sharing her beautiful, inspiring story.

Thank you so much Cathy for your courage

in sharing with us....here is her story, 

in her words.

As a little girl I often dreamed about what my life 

would be like when I grew up.   

As a teenager I started to dream about my wedding and who I would marry.  

I had my dress all picked out and knew the color of my bridesmaids dresses 

all before I ever had a boyfriend.  Then at 15 I met Paul.  

The day we met I knew I would marry him someday.   

That day came 8 years and many breakups later.  

We married on October 31^st of 1992.  It was my fairytale.

Then less than 2 years later on labor day in 1994  

my whole life was turned upside down when Paul and his younger brother 

were killed in a car accident.  

Paul was 26 and his brother just 18.  

Losing him was the hardest thing I have ever gone through in my life.  

Even harder than cancer that  would come knocking 7 years later.  

So at 25 I was a widow. 

 I remember telling my grandma when I lost Paul that 

I got all of the bad stuff out of the way early in life 

thinking I would be immune to anything bad happening again.

Just as I was getting my life back together at 31 I found a lump in my breast.  

I thought it had to be a joke. I was so angry. 

 I was still angry at Paul for leaving me.  

I resented being alone especially going through my cancer treatment.  

My family was so broken by that point I relied on a few friends to help me through.   

I lost a year of my life to cancer.  

I had a mastectomy, 6 months of aggressive chemotherapy, and reconstruction.  

Somehow I continued to date through it all.  

I think being faced with the fear of dying 

forced me to keep moving forward with living.   

 Around the time of my last chemo treatment 

I met a man online who had just lost his mom to breast cancer a month prior.  

I had finally met someone who could see 

past my scars and the bald head to who I really was. 

Six months later we were engaged and this past 

May 31^st we celebrated our 7 wedding anniversary on the same day 

I celebrated 9 years as a cancer survivor. 

My cancer experience also gave me the strength 

to  pursue a dream of mine.  

I had always wanted to be a writer but never had the confidence.  

I knew I had a story to tell that could inspire so many people.  

I could use my gift to give back.  

I took pen to paper and started writing about my cancer experience.  

My first book “Breastless in the City” was  published a dream of mine was realized. 

Most recently I discovered a love of art.  

This year I picked up paintbrush for the first time since I was a little girl 

and I haven’t put it down yet!  

I have discovered how much I love to paint and draw.  

It was something I always wanted to do but I let life get in the way.   

Through my creativity I realized that it helps me 

cope with the anxiety I live with as a cancer survivor.  

In those moments with my camera, or paintbrush I loose myself, 

all of the internal chatter quiets down and I am more calm.  

It brings me into the moment. 

Having gone through so much at such a young age 

made me appreciate life a lot more.  

I believe that everything I went through was for a reason.  

All of it has taught me something about myself and made me stronger.   

I learned to grow from the challenges I have faced.  

I can truly say I am better for having gone through it all.  

Even the anger and tears have helped me to heal. 

Although the pain of loss will always be with me 

I have realized that there is always room in my heart for love . . .

Thank you so much Cathy for 

YOUR story.  

You can visit Cathy

right HERE and

see some of her 

wonderful creations!

ox 

Kolleen

"may we all continue to be "better for it"!
(and if you want to send in your story...please email me at
kolleenharrison@mail.com)