Photo by Chris Jenson

www.chrisjensen.com

See the  October 2, 2008 VC Reporter story...Click Here

Emotional about breast cancer

When I first saw the “Survivors” cover, I sort of lost my composure and had to walk around the corner of a convenience store to … cry.  I was just picking up milk and stuff, and never saw such an emotional response coming, let alone in a GUSH. My wife’s surgery with the smallest of breast cancer concerns had, after all, gone exceedingly well during the previous year. (So far, she’s good!)

So I brought the issue home and looked at the cover, anew. Had this sudden, weird (for me) outburst been due to personal stuff? (My grandmother, my mother, her sister and my sister had also wrestled with breast cancer.) Or was it … something else?

I decided that, to be sure, my personal history with breast cancer played a part in those initial tears, seeing the cover. But having looked at the cover further, and thinking about it, I’m convinced that the MAIN thing that moved me to tears was the beauty, the courage and the smiles that the photograph itself exhibits. 

Put another way, if you happen to believe that Love is the most powerful force in the Universe, how can you NOT fall in love with those eight women?  (And smile while doing so!) Wow.

Jay Windsor, Ojai

The Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation is a circle of people committed to providing education, advocacy, emotional and social support to all in our community affected by breast cancer, welcoming and reaching all cultures, genders, and ages.