She's a Rock Star

I once knew this girl with a very big heart, a bright smile and an incredible soul.  She was the life of the party, she had a great attitude, she loved life, she loved people, she adored her family.

I once knew this girl who was passionate about everything, she understood life, she was warm, thoughtful, inviting.  SHE taught ME how beautiful MY life was, not with words, but by living her life.

I once knew this girl who was a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend.  She valued everyone in her life.  She valued the big and the little things.  She loved birthdays.  Her birthday falls on May 25th and every May was "her birthday month."  This girl, she celebrated life. 

This girl, at the age of twenty-six was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Her son had just turned one, but she was a fighter and she fought.  And she won, for a little while, and then cancer returned.

This girl, her name is Rachelle, died when she was thirty-three years old.  This mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend is gone.  She was only thirty three and she died of breast cancer in 2003.  To this day, my heart aches, I remember her, I remember her spirit, her courage, I feel her love and I didn't really even know her that well.  That's how amazing she was.  She affected everyone who was fortunate enough to cross her path.

May is still her birthday month, even though she's not here.  Rachelle is my best friend's sister, my soul sister.  Rachelle's family, although their hearts are broken and not a day goes by where they didn't wish she was here by their sides, they live life fully and with love, this is how they honor her. 

This family that I am SO PROUD to know and love, raises money every year for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, this family, to date, has raised over $50,000 in four years, in honor of Rachelle, but also so other families do not have to experience a loss as tragic as theirs.  The Rock Star Fans are so close to reaching their goal this year of $14,000!

She was a Rock Star.  She's still a Rock Star.  And she has many, many fans.  I am just one of them, sitting in the audience, continuing to be amazed by her grace, her strength, her love.

To my readers, I wish you could have met Rachelle, I wish you could meet her family and some of you have and you know what I am talking about when I say "they are incredible." To read a little bit more about Rachelle and learn a little bit more about this courageous family, you can visit their fundraising page .  Feel free to donate and help save lives - whether you knew Rachelle or not, more than likely you yourself are a breast cancer survivor or you know one, or maybe someone you love lost their battle, and if you haven't, you will.   

To Rachelle's family, I admire and love you all, I am so proud of you and I am so proud to know you.  This weekend, whether you are walking with the Rock Star Fans, or cheering on the sidelines, I know that Rachelle is so proud of all of you.  And she's not the only one.

The reason I am telling you about Rachelle is not only because I'd love for you to donate to this cause, but also because I think her life and the way she lived it should be shared with everyone I know and also because you need to understand that you are not in control of your own life and what happens in it, the one thing you are in control of, is how you live it. 

Live it well. 

 

Comments

[pinksandblues]

Dear Beth,
I feel as though I know Rachelle from your beautiful post. The month of May must be such a time of inspiration for all who know her and love her. I look forward to helping this important cause and crusade. I too have lost a precious woman to breast cancer... my cousin Cathy Holden. She died June 18, 2004 at age 43 after a courageous 5-year battle. She was the beloved mom of 3 children, a wife, daughter, sister... and the most beautiful and special cousin. Cathy's mission was one of making sure women of all ages get breast cancer screenings and mammograms. Each time I put off a mammogram, I remember Cathy scolding me, her older cousin. She had the most brilliant smile until she heard that a mammogram was overdue. You will never know how many women's lives you have saved today with your post about Rachelle... and Rachelle is most certainly smiling from heaven. Beth, you continue to do such good, such goodness...
xo - Sharon

[Shantel]

Beth,

What a sad story..She was so young and my heart breaks for that family. I will be at the walk on Sunday for closing and I will be thinking of your friend.

What a great cause!!!

Shantel

[Aimee in Port Orange]

Wow what an eye opening post. Great Job.

[Emily]

What a beautiful tribute to a friend! (and a reminder to the rest of us)

[Adventures In Babywearing]

Oh my goodness, what a beautiful smile. What a sweet tribute to her. How special you had the chance to know her. I am so sad her time here was so short, but it sounds like she certainly rocked it while she was here.

Steph

[Nancy G.]

On behalf of Rachelle's family, Beth, we thank you so much for honoring her. She was told at 22 that she was too young to have a mammogram. If, she'd been granted her request, she would have had a better chance of conquering ( she preferred that word rather that surviving) breast cancer. We are "over the top" grateful and she would be, too.

[crookedeyebrow]

A rock star indeed.
I am sorry for reading that she was denied a mammogram, but with all the help the rock star family is providing in her honor, hopefully that will never happen to another woman so she too can keep in rockin'.

Good Luck at the walk Rock star Family!

[JenniferH]

Wow. Wow. WOW. You are such a beautiful, beautiful soul. Thank you for sharing your perspective on my sister with your community. This comes at such an inspiring time as we gear up emotionally and physically for this weekend. You are a remarkable woman and friend, and I know that my sister is so touched and honored by your words and by your love. You are rock-star-status. My whole family and Rachelle's whole network of friends and loved ones is HUGGING YOU RIGHT NOW...

[Ashlee - Mama's Nest]

Thanks for sharing her story. This is something very close to our hearts as well. You, yourself are quite the rock star woman... always inspiring...

[WCD]

Now this made me cry.

[Nan]

Thanks, Beth. Thinking of Rachelle the Rock Star and her family...and all families who've had some one taken too soon.

[Kim]

Beth,

Thank you for posting a story such as this. Not only does it honor the memory of a woman who sounds amazing, but it gets word out there that it can happen to anyone, at any age. Even with a family history of BC, I fought my Doc on when I should start my mammograms. I'll have my first in a few years when I turn 30.

Do you think it would be okay if I add Rachelle's name to my shirt when I walk in the Breast Cancer 3-Day in September?

Kim

[SarahC]

That was a truly beautiful tribute. I cried the entire time I read it. I know this weekend is going to be emotional for all of us walking.
Thanks for your support!

[Lovely]

I cried my head off reading this post. It made me want to live more like Rachelle. She seemed like the ideal person, mother, sister and friend.

What an amazing post!

[Jackee]

I miss my friend Rachelle, every single day. Most of all, I think of her in simple celebrations. (The sunrise, the sunsets, birthdays, of course, and simple joyful things) One way to honor her of course is the support for a cure, but I honor her life by honoring mine. She was superb at recognizing the important things and celebrating them and taught that to many by her example. So when you read Beth's post and tear up as I did, wipe them away, stick your chin up, and enjoy your surroundings and your people around you. It's really not that hard. I'll miss her always, but I treasure what she gave me that cannot be taken away.

[Jackee]

Oh, and to "Lovely"...she was totally cool, but perfect? She had a very wicked cool sense of humor.

[mandy]

Thank you for sharing this. We just need to wake up sometimes.

I am sad to hear of thier loss, she sounds like such an inspiration!

[Emily]

what an amazing post and a truly honest reminder of how much we take for granted. Thank you Beth...

[Jen]

My mom lost her life to Inflammatory Breast Cancer on June 03, 2002. She was 53 and had a CLEAN mammogram 10 weeks before she was DX.

While mammos are HUGE, self exams and yearly doc physical exams are just as important!!

Rachelle sounds like an awesome person!!

[Annie]

My boy was named after my friend Ben who died in 2003 also at the age of 33 from Pancreatic Cancer. I so understand the way you miss your friend. AND i love this post. It makes me cry in a good way. xo.