I was diagnosed with breast cancer last January.  On a Monday afternoon, I went in for what I thought would be a routine mammogram to examine a “milk-filled cyst” from nursing baby Kai.  I left shell-shocked: It was clear to me the radiologist thought the very large lump was cancer.  First thing the next morning, I had the biopsy and was told we’d have the results on Thursday.  Wednesday morning we woke up to a rare and beautiful sight in North Carolina: snow!  I knew it was a gift from God; few things delight me as much as snow.  But understandably, I felt numb that week.

I called our neighbor, Tracey Spampinato, whose gift and passion is photography.  She came over to photograph our family playing in the snow (the first 8 pictures below are hers).  We made a snowman, which I hadn’t done in years!  We never get a lot of snow in North Carolina.  Due to the weather, doctors’ offices were closed the day I was supposed to get my results.  So, I was diagnosed on that Friday afternoon.

Fast forward through the rest of winter, spring, summer, and fall 2018.  Chemo in the rearview mirror, two surgeries and radiation completed.  Only a few more “maintenance doses” of chemo to go (which has been very mild for me, thankfully).  When I heard it may snow in December, I was skeptical.  I always am until I SEE it snowing!

But sure enough, we woke up to a pristine, snow-covered wonderland.  It was similar to last years’ snow – quite a few inches of heavy, wet snow.  School and work were cancelled.  We laughed, played, made another snowman, threw snowballs, took pictures, drank hot chocolate, ate snow cream, and enjoyed a fire.  The December day was de-ja-vu, two snowy bookends for 2018.

My heart was in such a different place.  The sorrow, grieving, wrestling and fear of January were replaced by such celebration and joy in December.  God has brought the healing that we so earnestly asked him for.  It was a challenging year, yes.  It was filled with more physical pain than I’ve experienced so far.  But the year is over!  And God has faithfully walked with us through every moment of this trial.  We are grateful to our beautiful God for His love, hope, healing, and joy.