Lessons I'm Teaching My Sons

With Love, Mom

Feb 06, 2025

woman in gray shirt covering her face with her hair — Photo by Bethany Beck on Unsplash

As much as cancer is my battle, it's also shaping my sons' understanding of life, hardship, and perseverance. I hate that they have to watch me go through this, but I'm determined to turn this pain into lessons that will serve them forever.

Keep Showing Up

No matter how hard the day feels, I show up— for my treatments, for their soccer games, and for the moments that matter. They've seen me cry, seen me struggle, but they've also seen me fight. Life doesn't always go as planned, but showing up is half the battle.

Ask for Help

Cancer has taught me humility and the importance of a support system. My boys are learning that strength isn't about doing it all yourself; it's about knowing when to lean on others.

Celebrate the Small Wins.

Some days, victory is as simple as laughing at the dinner table or making it through the day without pain. They're learning that joy can coexist with struggle and that celebrating small things is just as important as chasing big dreams.

Take Responsibility for What You Can

I can't control my diagnosis, but I can control my attitude and how I manage my care. I want my sons to know that while life throws curveballs, our response to those challenges defines us.

Redefining Strength

Cancer has redefined what strength looks like for me. It's not about fighting every moment or putting on a brave face 24/7. It's about the quiet moments when you push forward despite the fear. It's about balancing the weight of illness with the need to live fully.

This approach also helps me counterbalance my sons' natural inclination to worry. I can promise to keep fighting, keep showing up, and keep teaching them how to face life's toughest moments with grace and determination.

Leaving a Legacy of Resilience

While I wish I could shield my sons from the pain of watching me fight cancer, I hope what they'll remember is the strength and courage I've tried to model. Cancer may take a lot from me, but it won't take the lessons I've worked so hard to give them.

By treating cancer like a job-by organizing, staying disciplined, and showing up every day-I'm giving my sons a roadmap for how to handle challenges in their own lives. It's not just about fighting this disease; it's about showing them how to keep going, no matter what life throws at you.

And in the quiet moments, when it's just us sitting together, I remind them: resilience isn't about avoiding the hard stuff; it's about rising through it. If nothing else, I hope that's a lesson they carry with them for the rest of their lives.