This Friday is my Sweet 16 being alcohol free as well, so I'm especially happy to be me today. I've come a long way. I've humbly inspired others and I am grateful for all of the love and support I've had over the years to get to this point.
Today I will celebrate my birthday by spending it with my mother. We're taking portraits to capture and important time in both our lives. It was her idea and I'm glad she thought of it because we have been through everything together and I know no one on this earth loves me more than her.
My closest friends have also shown me tremendous love and support and I am especially grateful for those who have continued to be by my side through many of my most difficult experiences over the past year.
I hope to be here to celebrate another birthday cancer free next year, the year after that, and for many years to come, but I know to take things day by day.
It's just that now, having moved passed so many huge challenges, I feel free, even more courageous, and surprisingly, still beautiful. Now I want to do so much more with my time here on earth than ever before and I am inspired by so many people I know and by many I follow on social media, and don't always get a chance to see regularly. These people teach me and others, whether they know it or not, how to be better, to thrive, to continue to create, and always find a way to be happy no matter what. Most of all to love and be loved. So with all of this in mind, I will celebrate my big birthday knowing this is why I'm still here with you. Thanks be to God.
Self portraits during chemotherapy, 2014.
