A day of celebration!

Celebration Team 2015
 Susan Stiles, Joanne Wolfe, Curt Stiles, Me, Curt and Andrea Mahoney

Last Sunday, September 20th was my own crazy concocted celebration of the day everything changed. As many of you know 9/19/12 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, the next day I took off work, climbed Camel's Hump and tried to process the news I had been given. I vowed to myself that day, I would hike Camel's Hump the very next year and every year thereafter to honor this journey.

This year the 20th snuck up on me as we were planning a wonderful event for Audubon Vermont. Saturday night we celebrated birds and Sunday morning we celebrated life! This wonderful life we have been given, that I am so grateful for every single day! But this journey could not be done without my family and friends and to whom I am deeply appreciative of their love and support!

The day was extremely meaningful because my Mom and Dad were able to join us. My Dad has been ill and has been courageously living life to the fullest after a stem cell transplant two years ago. This summer had been particularly rough and we never really spoke of whether he would be able to join us this year.

This picture is of the two of us on the mountain top! This man who could barely go up and down to the lake this summer, climbed a 4,000 foot mountain! Let me tell you I am from some strong stock!
Dad, Sunday was such a gift! Thank you!

Each year we climb up in silence and I hold each and everyone of you in my thoughts. If I had huge arms that I could wrap around all of you at once I would! Not only did we celebrate the gifts of life, family and friends but we celebrated the light that exists even in the darkest of times. We all have it! Thank you all for sharing it with me!

xoxo