12.25.08 - family. the best gift of all.

my sons and daughter-in-law and friend monte gave me Climb Against the Odds: Celebrating Survival on the Mountain, photos and stories of women who have had breast cancer and then climbed some of the world's most daunting mountains to raise awareness and money for breast cancer prevention and cure. my youngest son is a mountain climber, so this has a special meaning - i have been so worried for years and years about his mountain climbing - and now i see it in a different light.

i cried my eyes out when i read their inscriptions:

from my youngest son:
"Mom, I'm so proud of how you're fighting cancer and am so happy that you're living so close. We'll keep fighting it together! I know that if you wanted to climb the mountains in this book, you could do it - you're so strong and determined. So, Merry Christmas to my cancer-fighting hero! Love, your son Matt."

from my oldest son:
"Mom, I think yo're the last person on the cover, rethinking climbing up that damn mountain. "How the hell did I get into this situation?" But then I think about how the mountain is really a metaphor for how cancer is a big 'mountain' to climb and it might be tiring, but you'll reach the top ('health') in about four months! Stupid mountain. Love, Jimmy."

from my daughter-in-law:
"Deb, you are a true superwoman and an inspiration to all who are lucky enough to know you. I am so happy that we are family. I love you and sam proud of you. Molly."

from our friend Monte:
"Matt's Mom, I hope you enjoy this book! When I was younger, I did a lot of mountaineering in theTetons, central Idaho, and Montana. I climbed a lot of peaks in my days of youth, and it was one of the greatest things I've experienced. The vistas, the sense of accomplishment, and the trials and tribulations were a healthy part of forming the person I am today. I love this planet, I love your son Matt, I love your daughter Molly, and I love you, Deborah, like my own mother. You are a wonderful person. You are tough and you are doing great with ridding cancer from your body. I am proud of you for this and all that you have done, especially creating Matt and 'giving' him to me as such a wonderful friend. Thanks and lots of love, Monte."

i was sobbing on christmas morning reading these beautiful words from my sweet family. it's so weird being the mom who had cancer and who has to go through chemo and radiation. it's still such a shock to me. but with this kind of support and love, i know that no matter what happens, this has brought us all together in ways we never expected, and we appreciate each other so much more because of this experience. funny how the world works.

merry christmas!