I was diagnosed with cancer four years ago and was told that if it wasn't found when it was, I wouldn't be alive today. My doctor told me that I was the perfect "poster child" for cervical cancer and that I should be telling every woman to make sure they have regular exams. Even now at my check-ups she reminds me how lucky I am and how recently two of her patients died from that same cancer that I had, including one that was my age.

I’ll never forget how I felt when I first received the news of my cancer. Naturally, I was upset; but an immediate calmness followed and I knew in my hearts that God would see me through this. Interestingly, I found myself actually feeling gratitude for my situation, and I was grateful that I was “chosen” to get this cancer instead of one of my children.

Cancer taught me many things about life, and above all it showed me a kindness that I had never witnessed before. Shortly after I was diagnosed, I met a woman at a PTO meeting. When she later heard that I was in the hospital being treated for cancer, she immediately got together her friends and colleagues and coordinated meals to be sent to my house when I returned home. Women I hardly knew, and some I didn't even know, signed up to bring meals to my house for my family and me. Each of them personally came to bring homemade food and heartfelt wishes for my speedy recovery.

Battling with cancer was certainly not easy, but I never judged it as bad. Instead, I chose it to be my teacher and it educated me on how to look at all things with non-judgment. My cancer taught me to love all things created and it helped me to see the smallest miracles every day. It also made me never forget the wonderful family I have and the acts of kindness that I experienced from so many.