I’m a member of the pink brigade – a breast cancer survivor. Lately, cancer has been on my mind a lot. A friend is waiting for biopsy results. We’re closing in on four years since I first heard the dreaded, “you have cancer.” And, I’ve been in a reflective frame of mind and starting to ponder what this experience/journey/blip on my life’s radar has meant to me. Certainly cancer has shown up in my writing. My piece up now on this site, Marking Mildred, deals with an elderly woman who is a survivor. In another piece, published at Grey Sparrow, a college age girl is facing her mother’s imminent death, from, of course, cancer. I’m working on a personal essay about my experience.

Today, I found a marvelous blog post shared on facebook. Written by Anne Clinard Barnhill, the post is titled “What Cancer has Taught Me About Writing and Living.”  She talks about three elements that affect both writing and living with cancer: 1) surprise, 2) patience and perserverance, and 3) faith, hope and love.

I do hope as you read this, that you are not a member of the cancer brigade, but even if you’re not, you’re sure to have known someone who is/was. Anne’s post is inspiring and instructive. Her optimism and confidence will uplift you. I hope you’ll read her post and pass it on if you know someone who could use it too.