Without question, my greatest joy in this life, is my family.

As a cancer survivor, I know the importance of forward thoughts and not dwelling on what happened or might be. But in truth, the harshness of emotion can be harder to control than the minds logic, and I find myself reflecting on, with knife-like precision, the realization that my cancer diagnosis impacted no one more than my then baby sons.

Ten days after Mother’s Day 2011, I faced the agonizing task of finding the words to explain cancer to my children. Worse, I faced – shaking to my core while talking to them – the possibility that they could grow up without me.

Next week will be three years since that awful chapter of my life began, and I have never been more “present” in their lives. Despite the ordeal, they continue to thrive in this wonderful life and with the benefit (yes, I said benefit) of empathy and understanding well beyond their years.

See the theme? My every thought, concern, aggressive treatment option was driven by my love of my family, of my children. Thus, it is not lost on me that in fact, the greatest victim of my cancer diagnosis, was not my children, but instead was MY mothers.

For every tear I saw, I know there were literally millions shed in private anguish by my mother and mother-in-law. Yet, as we mothers do, they put aside their lives, their fears, their other responsibilities and did nothing but focus on making me “OK.” Their every effort, as if they literally willed the cancer from my body and ushered in my hopes of a future. “Mom” is my favorite word (well, perhaps along with “life,” “love,” and “you are cancer free”), and I am so grateful for these two women in my life. I do believe it is the “moms” that are the ultimate unsung heroes in our global war against cancer.

As for my mothers daughter – she is doing great!

To all the mothers who wake up and go to sleep praying they will grow old with their family and to all the mothers who wake and go to sleep praying for the health of their [still in their minds] babies – I am wishing you peace, good health, and happiness every day, but especially on this Mother’s Day! And to my mothers, thank you – I love you with all my heart and soul.

Much love,

jodi alison