Today I had a nice, loooooong soul-sister chat with my brother’s ex-girlfriend, Brooke — an OUTRAGEOUSLY INSPIRING young woman who’s life-changing journey over the past year has made me endlessly grateful for everything in my life.
Just a year ago, while only in her early 30’s, she was diagnosed with Stage 3b Cervical Cancer… And while this would have brought most people to their knees, Brooke has done the opposite:
With her shoulders back, head high, heart open, faith on overdrive, and a smile on her face — she has BRAVELY put one foot in front of the other… Refusing to see herself as sick. Facing surgery after surgery after surgery… Determined to live even MORE!!!! BIGGER!!!! BETTER!!!!! (To hell with some silly diagnosis…)
She’s gone skydiving. Taken incredible trips around the country. Grown a vegetable garden. Moved to a new home. Gotten engaged. Started the process of having a baby. Spent incredible quality time with those she loves. Hasn’t let 1 piece of this situation get in her way or slow her down. Refuses to “wait until one day” to get on with things. And is now officially *Cancer-Free!!!!* WOOT-WOOT!!!
Basically, she’s worked in most people’s entire LIFETIME into just 12 short months: Bravo, my Unstoppable Sister!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brooke is much like my Dad when he was given a terminal brain-tumor diagnosis (and 3 months to live) — TWICE!!!! — but refused to take things lying down. HE decided the outcome to his story. HE decided he was cured. HE decided to visualize his body healed (8x a day or more). And he lived for 17 more years… entirely cancer free. And Brooke is following his bold lead, for sure…
When I look at my own life, and the lives around me… it’s SO easy to get caught up in stupid details, silly worries, fearful concepts, and other ways we keep our hearts closed to life, and those who love us most. But when I look at Brooke, see her smile, and the light in her eyes as she talks about all she’s been through — it puts EVERYTHING in perspective…
Who’s got time …to waste time? …Play it safe? …Be stressed out? …Listen to fears? …Avoid the tough stuff? Or close our hearts? Not me.
….Life’s about GOING FOR IT!!!!!!! (ESPECIALLY when it scares the crap out of you!!!)
So thank you endlessly Brooke for the reminders and lessons you give to me and everyone else who knows and loves you — and for the inspiration, life, and joy you breath back into ALL of us along your own journey.
As you already know: I LOVE YOU LIKE A SISTER, BROOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And what a perfect fortune to have received in your cookie, Brooke: “A joyful surprise is in store for you!” (Who deserves one more than you?)
***FYI: Sounds odd to be chatting with my brother’s ex? – Not if you knew my family: we refuse to follow the “normal rules” or silly social etiquette — and follow our hearts instead!
***Do YOU know of another Unstoppable Woman that might be perfect to feature? – Share in the comment section below and share her with the world… Unstoppable minds want to know!
