There are three words that no person ever wants someone they love to say: "I have cancer." It's been four years now since my mother sat my sister and I down to tell us she was diagnosed with cancer. Four long years that she's been battling this awful disease that I wish never existed.

If I told you it gets easier to deal with that would be a lie. How do you watch someone you love so much be affected by something that they don't deserve? I have watched way to many people in my life be affected by this disease and it simply is not fair.

A friend of mine shared an article with me the other day that really hit home for me. I want to give credit to the article (http://www.feelingsandfaith.net/not-everything-happens-for-a-reason/) because the words the author wrote are ones that I feel everyone should read no matter what they are struggling with in life.

I fully believe that God has a plan for each and every one of us here on earth. In the article "Not Everything Happens for a Reason" the author discussed that it is never God’s plan for someone to have cancer. She said, "God’s will is not an event that happens to us, it’s how we respond to what happens."

It was never God's plan for us to experience pain, however, when sin entered the world that changed. Pain in our world is now inevitable. However, what I learned from this article was that God's will is for us to walk with him through all the painful situations of our life and put our trust in Him. I know from personal experience that is is so incredibly hard to understand why God lets certain things to happen to us. However, I hope these words that I share with you, along with the words from the article "Not Everything Happens For A Reason" will bring you some clarity and reassurance.

Watching my mother battle cancer knowing that there really isn't much I can do is the most heartbreaking thing I have ever experienced. My mother brought me into this world and she has given me everything. I look up to her and someday hope I can be half the women she is!

As I think about my future and the possibility of me having cancer because of my family's gene it is a scary thought. I wonder if it's even possible for me to fight as hard as she does, have the faith she does, or even the strength she does.

When someone you love has cancer it really opens your eyes. It makes your problems feel so small compared to what they have to go through. I've had pain from heartbreak, running, injuries, etc but none of it compares to what my mother goes through on a daily basis.

Keeping the faith is not always the easiest thing to do, however it has made this whole journey a little easier to cope with. Having the prayers and support from so many people makes you want to fight that much harder because you know you matter. My mother matters, as does everyone else in this world fighting a life threatening disease.

The biggest thing that cancer has taught me is that a person is so much bigger then this stupid disease. Yes it causes pain and inhibits ones ability to do certain things they want to however there is so much it can't take away. It can't take away love, experiences, friendships, faith, hope, etc. We as humans are so much stronger than a disease like cancer and just because it can take the lives of people we love does not mean that cancer wins. God does not choose to give someone cancer, but he does choose what to do with it. Although it is heartbreaking when someone dies, they do not lose, they go on to live in a place that is far better than anything we can imagine, and that to me sounds like victory.

I am reminded everyday how valuable our time here on earth is with our loved ones. Although it's pretty much impossible to do, we must try not to take things for granted, and stop and realize how blessed we are for what we have in our lives, despite the hurt, pain, and trials we endure.

Although cancer effects my mother on a daily basis and has taken away opportunities for her, it will never take away the love and privilege I have to call her my mother.

This article is in honor of my mother Cathy Paganelli. Keep fighting the fight mom and keep the faith. I love you!