Kicking cancer's ass - day 682

Allyson Hendrickson.

Most of you did not know her.  I'm sorry for that.  She was a person well worth knowing.  She was a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, an auntie and a friend.  She was my friend.

One year ago today Allyson earned her angel wings.  I know she's at peace now that she's at home with God.  She's no longer in pain.  She's no longer having to fight every single day to stay alive.  I'm relieved for her.  But I'm still sad.  Sad for those of us who loved her.  Especially sad for her "three little cowboys" who have to grow up without their incredible mom.  

I always talk about my "journey" or traveling this road we call cancer.  Nobody traveled it better, with more grace, than Allyson.  She was my example.  She taught me how to fight cancer, and how to live life while doing it.  Having cancer brought her to the lowest of low points, and yet her faith was still shining brightly.

My blog entry from the day of Allyson's memorial service is one of the best things I've ever written.  If you want to know Allyson, and what having her for a friend was like, read Kicking cancer's ass - day 321

Allyson's friends started a non-profit organization called Ally's Wish, and they raise money to grant wishes to mothers with terminal illnesses.  The first wish granted was Allyson's - to have her blog published for her boys.  Her family was the first to receive the book, but I'm happy to say that Three Little Cowboys is finally available to everyone.  Click here to purchase!  My copy sits proudly on my bookshelf.

If you've never read any of Allyson's blog, you need this book.  Even if you have, you need this book.  She was such a gifted writer - her blog entries were so heartfelt and funny, even through her darkest days.  The light that is Allyson Hendrickson shines through every single blog entry.

Buy the book.  Read the book.

Pray for her family.

Donate to Ally's Wish.

And wear flip flops.  Make Allyson proud.

I miss you friend.