Seeing as though October is breast cancer awareness month, I thought I'd take time to reflect on how this condition has touched my family.

As of April, breast cancer claimed the most kind, selfless people I have know to date, my grandmother, or as we French-Canadian grandkids called her, Mémère. As we all surrounded her during her last days, I could not help but reflect on all of the silly stories she used to tell all of the grandkids, and how towards the end, she began to repeat these stories, but we all sat and listened, giving the same enthusiastic reaction as the first time we had heard it. I loved listening to her talk about her life growing up on a farm in Canada and all the stories about her brothers and sisters. I think my favorite story, however, was the story of how she met her husband, moved to the United States, and made a living for her self and her family. I recall the first afternoon she told me this story was a hot summer day, and I had just left school. She called asking if I wanted to come out with her to grab some fabric from the fabric store. We made our purchases, and as we were driving home, she told me that she was ready to teach me how to sew, the profession she had for nearly all of her time in the United States. As we thread the needle, she began to chronicle the hardships she faced, financially, socially, and beyond. The most remarkable part of it all, is that she made it. She built a life for herself on what she had, brought six children into the world, and passed away at peace with herself. I'd like to think, with no regrets.

I guess the point in me writing this about my Mémère would be to showcase how even though breast cancer, and other terrifying diseases are all serious matters, we can all learn something from the lives that end due to the diseases.

I've learned from my Mémère to live in the moment, and to enjoy life while I can. She never took anything too seriously, and I really do aspire to be the embodiment of her in that sense. I think that too quickly we forget about the bigger picture in our lives that we forget what is right in front of our faces, until it is too late. We should all take time to enjoy the lives we have, and to live every day like it is our last.

She has also taught me that being selfless pays off so much more than only being concerned about yourself. I always put others before myself, and I more often than not consider the outcome of this better than if I had stuck to worrying about myself.

Finally, she has taught me that "you've gotta laugh". She said this phrase to everyone she ever met at one point or another in their lives. She loved to laugh about everything and anything. To have that sort of sense of humor is enviable in a world dominated by such serious issues most of the time.

I wish she could be here to experience all the exciting new changes happening in my life, but I'd like to think that somewhere, she is looking at me everyday, proud of me for everything I've done in my short life.

Now, my challenge for all those who have read is to look back on someone close to you who has passed away, but to reflect on how they actually have changed your life. Small or large, the impact has changed you to become the person you are today. You should remember these changes, and take the lessons you've learned from them with you as you travel on in life. These lessons have more value in the long run than any material item you can buy in a store. Let's try to care more about what actually matters.