Here is my story about beautiful Maria:
On a dark day in October, 2003, I learned that I had breast cancer and had to have a mastectomy. I reached out to a friend...her voice hesitated and then she said, firmly. "Listen, Katy! Listen to what I'm going to tell you!". And then she told me how the previous summer she had met a beautiful, vivacious woman named Maria at her sister's home. Maria had also gone through a bout with breast cancer, my friend said. But, my friend noted, the Maria that was at that party was alive, vibrant, proudly wearing her off the shoulder summer dress, and spreading her smile to all around her. With that joyful image in my mind, I relaxed, laughed, and got a jolt of courage and hope. And this was before I ever met her. I called Maria in the next week and we chatted as if we were old friends. We were the same age, had two young children, same type of interests in volunteering and our children. She even lived on the street where my In-Laws used to live. Eight months later I went to a Komen event in North Jersey for survivors. I was desperate to meet Maria, the woman who sparked my journey to survivorship, with just the energy in her voice and love in heart. There were hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people at the event. But across the room I spotted her. I knew it had to be Maria. The woman I spotted, wearing a cheerful flouncy pink skirt, moved and swayed and touched people on their shoulders, gave soft hugs, flashed her smile, and was giving a little of herself to everyone around her. My instinct was right. I went up to her and said, "You must be Maria. I'm Katy and our conversation last year changed my view of cancer forever."
I will never forget our conversation, our (too brief) meeting and her inspiring story.
With deep condolences, deep respect, and unending appreciation. May the spirit of Maria stay with all of us...
Katy Badt Frissora (Fair Haven)
