Dear Cancer, you suck…

I pray with my kids every night before bed. For the last several years we have always prayed for my friend Colleen who has been struggling with cancer. It started with breast cancer and after surgery and treatment it looked like she had beat it. However, in the past year it came back with a vengeance and eventually landed in her lungs.

Last night I was casually checking FaceBook and found out that dear Colleen passed away (at age 50!) yesterday afternoon. It hit me like a ton of bricks and it's all I have been thinking about since. Colleen was one of the very first people I met when I first moved to Nashville. From our first meeting she was nothing short of sweet, funny, warm and accepting. We were in a monthly Women's Dinner Group that lasted for about 8 years until kids and schedules got in the way.

Colleen was a core member, always in attendance with her huge smile, cunning wit and big heart. This same group would sometimes go out to dinner on weekends with spouses. Since Colleen was single and my husband was flying on the weekends, we would often go together. I loved it and we would joke about being each others date.

I'm sad to say that since I moved to Colorado I have not been in touch with Colleen a whole lot. A few emails here and there so I didn't know that she was not doing well these past few months. Sigh.

Colleen, I will forever remember your smile, your laugh, your awesome sense of humor and most of all being your date. You made my life better and I will never forget you for it.

Two words. Cancer sucks. I wish it would stop stealing people I adore.

Teresa

P.S. My mom and my aunt

P.P.S. Colleen's blog