National Cancer Survivors’ Day

So it’s National Cancer Survivors’ Day.  I’m not expecting any balloons. Not a cake. Nor cards.  Nope — it’s just a normal day. But that’s OK. If you’ve had cancer, you come to crave “normal.”

I’ll spend the day working. Thank goodness I can. I’ll love on my children. Once again, thank goodness I can.  Two out of three of my sons would not be here if my doctor had not caught my melanoma when he did.  I will hug them a little tighter.

I might look at my scar. It’s on my back. I seldom pay much attention to it any more.  I might even run my fingers over it, feeling how it is slightly raised from my skin.  I’ll feel the rough texture of the scar. That is the feeling of life.

But honestly, today will be a regular day.  Cancer survivors really don’t need a single day a year to celebrate. We celebrate every sunrise — because if you want to know the truth, any day that ends with a “Y” is National Cancer Survivors’ Day.