The dreaded "C" word

I wish I had more photographs of a lot of things.  I wish I had more of some certain people who unfortunately have succumbed to the dreaded "c" word....cancer.  Some can beat it - I know a sweet little girl just starting school who has.  A dear friend has managed to drop kick cancer right on its butt.    Met someone last night at the coffee shop I frequent who had cancer when she was 12 and now is going school to be a Child Oncologist.  I have lost a woman that was like a mother to me to cancer, another friend I had known for years to breast cancer and most recently my sweet amazing friend in May.   Why this topic?  Why so down at the beginning of a long weekend?  A weekend to be spent celebrating Thanksgiving?   Don't get me wrong.  I am thankful.  I have a  wonderful family - which includes my daughter and husband, parents, sister and also my friends who are also my "family".   I have the privilege of owning my own home, health, love and laughter.  I have so much to be thankful for.  Someone I know is expecting his first baby.  He is excited.  Next month he will be a new Daddy!  His partner is fighting for her life.  She has cancer.  The cancer was under control - or so they thought.  It is back with a vengence.  As they bring their new baby into the world she will have to start aggressive forms of cancer treatments in order to survive to see her child's firsts.  Every child should grow into an adult.  Every adult should have the chance to be a parent.   I don't understand why this has to happen?   I can only hope there are enough memories to be shared and photographs to show....just in case.   I am thankful.  I have lots.  I am heartbroken.  Some don't have so much to be thankful for.   Hug the ones you are thankful for.  Tell people you love them.  Make yourself some memories to last a lifetime....because we don't know how long that lifetime will be.