Wow – another Christmas come and gone. It’s hard to believe the difference in my life from last Christmas to this one. It almost seems that I have lived a whole lifetime in this very short period of time. At times the ups and downs of the year seemed never-ending. As this year draws to a close, I look back over it with extreme gratitude.

As you recall, 2013 did not start out as my year, and as the months passed the hits just kept coming. But as I sit here tonight, I realize that it was the year of my new beginning. The year life finally got my attention. Getting kicked in the shin with pointy-toed cowboy boots can be painful, no question. But through the pain my life seemed to blossom.

I have gained so much this year it is hard for me to hold it all inside. I have deepened some relationships and I have formed wonderful new friendships. I have met people I would never have met had it not been for this journey through breast cancer. I have learned the meaning of true friendship and unconditional love. I have watched as people helped and supported me when I was too sick to even stand up. I have met people who were fighting their battle at the same time I was fighting mine. Those people have made such a tremendous difference in my life; to know them and hear their stories helped me more than they will ever know.

Last Saturday I received a wonderful gift. I was doing some Christmas shopping with Lorene when I heard someone call my name. I stopped and turned around, and there stood Mary Ann. We were always together in the same room during chemo, and she was always so supportive and so encouraging. It was so good to see her standing there in the middle of the store. We had a wonderful time updating each other on our progress. I cannot tell you how many times I have thought of her since finishing chemo. We both have a little bit of hair now and she wasn’t wearing her cap, so when I first saw her I recognized her face but the hair kind of threw me. You sit there and battle right beside these people, but after you’re done you have no idea how their battle turned out. So to see her well and healthy right before Christmas was truly a welcome surprise.

It is amazing how people appear in our lives at just the right moments. That happened so many times for me this year that I believe it has to be more than just pure chance. I got to know Janet at just the right time – she was there when I needed someone not only to listen, but also to kick me in the ass. Kim rescued me when my heart was broken and rescued my goats when the dogs attacked them. Mary Ann, Regina, and Beth all appeared exactly when I needed them most and helped me get through treatment. Beth and Diane have continued to encourage me to keep writing and assure me that I do have something to say.

My sister Martha Gail called every single day during my treatment, and just knowing she was supporting me meant the world to me. I had friends and family who had walked this path before me and their willingness to share their stories with me inspired me to keep fighting. Thanks, Sandy, Mary Dee, and Nancy Pat.

Lorene, Sylvia, and Cheryl proved to me over and over again what true love really is. These three are all exes of mine, but in reality these relationships never ended. They cooked, cleaned, and cared for me like the relationships had never changed. We all sat together the night before my lumpectomy and they reassured me that what was important was that I get better. I started to cry that night when I tried to tell them how much they meant to me. I am teary-eyed trying to write about their love and kindness even now. I hope they know. I hope all of you know.

I named just a few people but there are many more I did not name here. Please know that your encouragement, support, love, and kindness made 2013 the year this warrior battled her way into a new life.