Yes, I did it… I actually took my shirt off, though with a purpose!

I will only take a naked gardening picture once in my lifetime and I am happy to report that y’all missed my one time photoshoot!

Now to explain my double purpose:

I am a breast cancer survivor and an avid gardener so I felt that it was appropriate to take a picture to honor those who love to garden in the buff (not me because mosquitos love me), to honor those who are battling cancer, to honor those who lost their battle, and to honor those of us that are survivors.

To us survivors, please realize that even though you have changed, you survived, the scars and residual issues that remain, these are your battle scars and they have become part of your past and a memory of a difficult and painful chapter that you survived.

As you may be able to tell, I have scars under both breasts, only my right one had cancer, though both were affected due to reconstruction.

Post surgery these girls look different, not the half moon shapes they used to be – they are more like donkey ears with nooks and crannies. It is ok. I do not complain though they hurt -every single day, and I still struggle with my new me and that too is ok, because you know what?

Today, I get to share this picture with you and say:.

I survived

In honor of those battling and those who lost their battles with breast cancer or any other cancer:

You have fought and may still be fighting, you have the courage of a lion, the strength of a tiger, and the wishes to be better. Even if you did not make it, you fought your best fight and that is all that you could ask of yourself. You left your impression with every breath and you are the hope and inspiration for others to fight as hard as you did with that same hope to succeed. Prayers for everyone that lost a loved one to cancer, and prayers to everyone fighting cancer.