I'm not someone you'd likely notice in a crowd. I'm cool with that - my best traits aren't my appearance. They're stuff that's only obvious once you get to know me.
Those that actually 'know' me (the ones who don't politely distance themselves or run screaming) know that I don't fit most stereotypes. I have opinions and question everything - often loudly (with a few colorful words and phrases thrown in). They know I suck at small talk, but love in depth conversations. They know that the things I value can't be bought in a store. They know I'm entertained by ridiculously simple things. Most of all, they know that I'll acknowledge them for who they are today, with an understanding that they're going to grow and change and it's gonna be in their own directions.
I grow and change too - every. single. day. Life has thrown me some curve balls over the years. Things that I could have allowed me to become disenchanted, jaded, and negative. I tried being disenchanted, jaded and negative for a while. It was no fun at all. Bluntly. . . it freaking sucked and I didn't like who I became.
I did something about it.
I find the positive in my experiences - even the negative ones. For me, being able to take those positive things forward and use them to improve my future, makes some of the really crappy stuff that's happened have a purpose. Kinda seems overly simplistic. In reality it's often pretty tough. But it's worth it.
So now. . . . I 'get' to experience Cancer. (lucky me?!?). So far I've learned that there are a lot of really great people out there - support people, medical personnel, even strangers.
There are lots of survivors with amazing stories. I hope to be one of them.
