One Year

Today is 17 September 2008.

It is a significant day.

One year ago today, on 17 September 2007 Auntie Becky, my Mamma Hen, was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. It was a diagnosis that made everyone who knows Auntie fall to their knees in prayer. Cancer is scary. And pancreatic cancer?! Well, that's even scarier. And Stage IV pancreatic cancer?! Absolutely terrifying! The one year survival rate is abysmal.

That's just what makes 17 September 2008 so special.

Forget the statistics and survival rates. Today is not about numbers. Today is about Auntie Becky and the amazing person that she is. Today is the celebration of a year well lived! Ever since I have known her (dare I say Sept 1995?!), Auntie Becky has had a crazy live-life-to-the-fullest attitude. She is amazing and has instilled that attitude in all of her students. This year has been no different. Auntie has been traveling, teaching, and doing whatever-in-the-hell-it-is-that-she-wants-to-do. Auntie Becky?! She rocks! Holla'!

Here is a photo from Auntie's friend, Fr. Tom C.S.C., taken on a Biology Study trip in Australia in 2005.

Auntie happily posing next to a termite mound.
(Seriously. Just who in their right mind would be happy standing next to a pile of bugs?!)

And more recently, here's a photo of Auntie Becky checking out the Redwoods in California this summer:

Auntie and a drive-thru Redwood tree!

Nothing in this past year has abated Auntie's crazy live-life-to-the-fullest attitude. Actually, if anything, at least judged from an outside perspective, that attitude has been strengthened. Auntie Becky is one of the most amazing people I have ever known. (This is not a secret, any one of her multitude of students could tell you that.) But this, year?! Wow, this year, Auntie proved herself to be more amazing than ever. Like I said earlier, she rocks!

Please pray for Auntie Becky. Pray for her miracle! And pray, too, in thanksgiving for her relatively good health this past year. We're all looking forward to celebrating 17 September 2009 and many, many more 17 Septembers to come!