What a summer!
Looking back over the past few months, there were family gatherings, time with friends, plenty of paddling, travel, and some pretty incredible experiences.
One highlight was travelling to Aix-les-Bains, France, with my Knot A Breast dragon boat teammates for the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission (IBCPC) festival.
Imagine thousands of breast cancer survivors from all over the world, each with their own story, coming together in a beautiful setting through a shared passion for paddling.
And what a week that was!
Looking back, what stays with me most is the feeling of being part of something pretty special. For those few days, paddling brought us together.
And the adventures didn’t stop when the festival was over.
We then went on to Geneva, Chamonix and Paris. One of the most memorable things I did was take a cable car high into the French Alps to the Aiguille du Midi, overlooking Mont Blanc. It was absolutely thrilling (despite the fear!), and I remember looking around and thinking, I can’t believe I’m actually here.
We just walked and walked, exploring new cities, discovering beautiful places and enjoying the simple pleasure of being somewhere else.
Somewhere along the way, I kept coming back to one thought.
The joy of still being able.
Maybe that thought means a little more to me this year.
Fifteen Years Later
This fall marks 15 years since my breast cancer diagnosis.
In some ways, it feels like yesterday. In others, it seems so long ago that I sometimes wonder if it really happened. Of course, the scars are there to remind me.
Fifteen years is a long time. I’m grateful to have reached this milestone, although it still brings feelings that aren’t always easy to put into words.
Perhaps that’s why these experiences mean so much to me.
Finding Joy in the Everyday
The joy of still being able isn’t about travelling the world, paddling at an international festival or standing high in the Alps.
It’s about enjoying each day, wherever I am and whoever I’m with.
Sometimes that’s an adventure somewhere new. Other times, it’s a family get-together, a walk with a friend, a good laugh or just time spent together.
This summer reminded me how fortunate I am to have these moments, both big and small.
And it’s also reminded me how much I value being able to keep moving and doing the things I enjoy. It’s something I think about in my own life and in my work with patients. Staying active, maintaining strength and adapting as we get older can help us continue doing more of what matters to us. Want to learn more? Come talk to us!
So here we are. Welcome, fall! I’m looking forward to making more memories and finding joy in the everyday.
Kathleen
