It’s been amazing to reconnect with my sister Shawnee in New Zealand. 4 years ago she was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. She was given a 30% chance of living for 5 more years. She’s been determined since then to be in that 30%. Also, she’s determined to truly live these last years. She’s travelled to Greece & twice to Italy in that time. She schedules her time to make sure that she has something to do every day, something to get up for. She refuses to spend this time being sick, although of course she is very ill. Her spirit and energy is amazing. Truly her zest for life puts most healthy people to shame.

I love Shawnee so much and I’m so thankful that my brother Curtiss has made it possible for Mary and I to come over to New Zealand and visit with her. There has been so much love, happiness, and many stories shared since we’ve been here. These two photos of Shawnee below are my favorites of the trip so far. These were taken the day before she went in for another round of chemo. It’s hard to believe by looking at her that she’s been through over 40 rounds of chemo these last few years. I’m told the average cancer patient usually goes through 7 at most.

~Shawnee~

~Shawnee and Mutley~

Porirua (Wellington, New Zealand)