October Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As I sit here with a slight cold at home, it made me ponder on the fact that my little cold is a mere molecule of illness compared to some of the battles that many women are currently facing or have had to face in their past.



I have a beautiful friend who last year found out she had breast cancer. She went through surgery and through many series of chemo treatments. Just recently, she went through her last session of chemo and in celebration, her nurse did the "chemo dance" for her. For my dear friend, it was a day to celebrate.



Because of her chemo treatment, many of her supportive friends (such as myself) were unable to visit her because her immune system couldn't be exposed to germs outside of her own sterile environment. Although I've maintained written communication with her throughout her recovery, I wanted to do something for her.



She often shared with me that she really enjoyed looking at my paintings that I post on Facebook during this time. So I thought, while rather than her enjoying other paintings I post, I wanted her to have one of her own. So I painted, "Cindie's Fight". Through our conversations I know that she has had alot of pain, different chemos reacting different ways, tears, the loss of her beautiful thick curly hair, nausea and all the side effects. During all this, she has remained optimistic (as she was before) and has a strong faith that God is watching over her. Observing her go through this trial, all her friends, including myself have found her to be an inspiration. All of us know her story and the many trials she has had to endure before -- and still with this one, she remains strong and determined.



This painting's background depicts the pink that is the symbolic color for breast cancer awareness. The red flowers represent the red dragon chemo that hurt her veins, but at the same time provided her recovery. The falling leaves represent the shedding of body elements, but like the tree that holds the leaves, it rejuvenates new ones and healing. The clouds and rain are the tears, but a the end there is always the promise through the rainbow. The white birds are celebrating the recovery. And the heart is representative of both the love she gives and the love that surrounds her.



I had the painting framed with a beautiful gold frame -- as there is nothing more pure than gold. Needless to say, she was delighted to receive the painting and I was honored to provide her with just a small part of myself to bring her some joy.