Mama Renew

This past December I sat at our Mama Renew Holiday Party surrounded by some of the most amazing women I know.  After far too much gourmet pizza and wine, we went around the table and spoke our intentions for 2009.  Well, mine was Fabulous, Fit and Forty, a resolution that resonated deeply for both Sarah and myself.

On June 7th I turned 40 years old.

I am now 40 pounds lighter, and I am feeling fabulous.

What a crazy year.  That evening I had no idea how to take the next step, but I knew I had to, that this was my time.  After hip replacement surgery in September, I found myself living without chronic pain for the first time in ten years.  When I decided to walk 60 km in August for the Walk to End Breast Cancer my husband looked at me with disbelief.  He was kind, and tried to be encouraging, but I could see that he thought I was nuts, only weeks ago I had been unable to walk around the block!

The next step was clear.  I began to walk, needing to prove to myself and to others that I could do this.  I am now up to 10 km 3 – 4 times a week and loving it!  I love the walks with friends where we yak and yak, and I love the walks by myself where I am in my music and loving the freedom of movement.  Sometimes as I am walking and feeling no pain I feel like I am flying.

I wanted to do this walk for years, but knew that my hips would make it impossible.   I cried as those women passed by my house with their pink ribbons and exhausted but happy faces.  I cried for the reason they were walking, and I cried because I couldn’t walk along with them.

Well this year, I am walking.  I know I will be crying again, but this time tears of Joy.  Joy that I can make a difference for those who are in the labyrinth of breast cancer like my dear friend Sandra, for those who lost their mothers like my “sister” Maddy, and those who have had to journey through the unknown but have made it through like my “sister” Beryl with her mother. I have breasts, and I have daughters, so I must do this walk.  One foot in front of the other.

That is my new mantra, and I am sure I will say that to myself and my Mama Renew sisters along the 60 km through the streets of Vancouver.   And if I can do it, you can do whatever it is you think you can’t do.  Who knows what next year may bring - I’ll keep you posted….one foot in front of the other.

Support Jennifer-Lee & Mama Renew in the Walk to End Breast Cancer.  Her goal is to raise $3,200.

Click Here to Donate

***************

click here to comment!