It’s “Women are Fantastic” Friday!  And this week, I’m writing about GR’s sister, Sarah.  In February 2002, Sarah passed away after a two year struggle with cancer, just one month short of her 38th birthday.  She left behind two very young children, a husband, her parents, two sisters, a brother, and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws. 

Luckily, Sarah was blessed with a full life.  She married her high school sweetheart, Pat, shortly before she finished college and he finished Flight School.  After first being stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming for three years, Pat was relocated to Germany where they spent the following three years.  While living in Germany, they had the wonderful opportunity to travel extensively throughout Europe.

After Pat’s stint in Germany, they relocated back to the U. S. and eventually ended up in the Pensacola, Florida area (near Pat’s family).  It was there that Sarah gave birth to both of her children—a son and a daughter.

Sarah was truly a kind and gentle soul.  She had a deep faith in God, loved her family tremendously, and was an incredibly patient and giving mother.  She also loved to bake, and she made THE best chocolate chip cookies ever!  She was fully supportive of her husband’s Air Force career that often times took him away from the family.  In fact, soon after their daughter was born, Pat was deployed to Korea for a year, leaving Sarah to take care of the two children and their home on her own.  It was shortly after Pat returned from Korea, in April 2000, when Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer—not even three years after the birth their youngest child.

Finally, in February 2001, after eight rounds of chemo and a mastectomy, Sarah was given a clean bill of health.  She and her family and friends were elated.  At this same time, Pat accepted an offer to become an Air Force commander, and they started planning a move to New Mexico.  Sarah was very excited to be starting over.  She was free of cancer and would be making a fresh start.  And she had plans to get involved with helping other people who were facing the pain and suffering of cancer.

However, shortly before they were scheduled to move in May 2001, Sarah came down with a chest cold, which became bad enough to warrant a trip to the doctor.  Sadly, the doctor found that she had a collapsed lung and that the cancer had spread.  After many months of struggling with this illness, she passed away in February 2002. 

I understand that there are many people who can share this same type of tragic story.  Cancer affects the lives of so many people—it’s the second leading cause of death in the U. S.  In 2007, the American Cancer Society estimates that 678,060 women are expected to die of cancer.  And of that number, 26% will die of breast cancer.

So, in memory of Sarah, I will be running (well, walking, because I am hideously out of shape!) in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Saturday, May 12 in Atlanta.  I will join Phoo, Big H, and Mama Claire (Big H’s mother) in this fundraising and awareness event for breast cancer.  And if you are interested in making a donation to help fight this disease, please click the Race for the Cure link here or on my sidebar.  It will take you directly to my fundraiser page, and if you wish, you can donate anonymously or openly, and in memory of or in honor of someone you know that has been affected by cancer.  Please have a safe and happy Friday, y’all!