When I found out my oldest sister Linda had breast cancer I was stunned. I really couldn't believe what I heard in our brief telephone call. How do you express how you are feeling when something like this touches one of your siblings? I always felt that I would be the one that got breast cancer. Linda told me later that she always felt that it would be her. I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. My grandmother and my mother both had breast cancer. At first, I felt overwhelmed, angry, and scared that I would lose my sister to this disease that so many women and men have had to deal with. So many emotions and the reality that breast cancer had struck a third generation.
Linda is one tough cookie. She took this disease on just like the good german stock that she is made of. She was determined to move forward, positive attitude firmly in place. She was a survivor from the minute she found out she had cancer. She endured the surgery and treatments with no complaints. She is every bit as strong as our mother and grandmother.
I wanted to do something for my sister from my heart to hers. There isn't too much a sibling can do except be there when asked, and support her in the tough decisions that she had to make. The only talent that I have is sewing. Right away I knew that Linda would be in for an extended treatment period and would need a warm fuzzy to get her through her sessions. I decided to make Linda a quilt. I hurried to the fabric store with a purpose in mind. My mind told me something cheery, bright and of course, durable. I even wrote her a poem for the label. (I haven't written a poem since 10th grade English) This was my gift to her. Here it is:
I love you, and you love me
We've been sisters for the past fifty-three
Sometimes we're up, and sometimes we're down,
but we always know our love is sound.
I am happy we are sisters,
and wish you the Best!
I want you to know
You are God Blessed!
I made this quilt with love for you,
Each stitch for comfort and courage too!
It will soon be over as quick as a wink,
But I will always remember women who wear pink!
My second gift to her is to support her in her decision to walk in the Breast Cancer 3-Day in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas. My husband and I will be walking beside Linda to show her our love and respect. I admire her for stepping out for this cause. We are all out of shape. We don't care. We want to make a difference. We want future generations to have a leg up on this disease. We want women and men to be educated about breast cancer. We want a cure. In my heart of hearts, I really do want to remember women (and men) who wear pink! We will be joining thousands of others in honoring the survivors, honoring the friends and loved ones we have lost and knowing that we can make a difference one step at a time.
Thank you for supporting us in this endeavor. We are making the committment to raise $4400 for Francis and I. Linda will be raising $2200. Please feel free to donate to any one of the three of us. We will need all the help that we can get. Thanks in advance for your support!
Walking to Save the Ladies!
Joyce A. Kohout
