Love | Be Not Afraid

The Path Is Wide Open…

May 18, 2012 by allisonbenotafraid

One of the positive aspects of having cancer is the people you meet. It happens in the hospital, at cancer happy hours (yes, they exist and yes, they are awesome-the first time I went I asked Mike, “Where do you think the group is?” as we entered the bar. He responded, “Well, I’m not entirely sure, but you might check with the group of baldies over there…I mean, it’s just a thought…”), through mutual friends (“You have cancer? Oh! My […]

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Categories: Cancer • Tags: Adventure, Christianity, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Life, Love, Prayer, Stem Cell Transplant

Someday Soon, We’ll Be in Spring…(A Love Letter)

April 17, 2012 by allisonbenotafraid

It’s almost one in the morning on a Monday night, and my husband is working on a brief at the kitchen table. I’m trying to stay up to keep him company. Even though we’re not talking, I know he appreciates my presence, my show of solidarity. Plus, my overly nostalgic heart is swelling as I reminisce about the many all-nighters we spent studying or writing papers in the common space of his dorm during college (we were both admittedly top-notch, […]

Categories: Cancer, Music, Relationships • Tags: Husband, Love, Marriage, Music, Photography, Spring

Full of Love, No Matter What

February 14, 2012 by allisonbenotafraid

For Mike and I, love was almost overshadowed by fear, anxiety, and grief last Valentine’s Day. For us, it wasn’t merely a day to call loved ones and check the mailbox in hopes of a sweet card. It was more than that; it was the day after I was told I had cancer. One year later, on this Valentine’s Day, I woke up early with my husband thanks to our favorite little alarm clock-John Paul. We drank coffee in the […]

Categories: Cancer, Faith • Tags: Christianity, Love, Valentine's Day

Be Still and Know

September 16, 2011 by allisonbenotafraid

Yesterday John Paul had a trip to the doctor’s office that included three immunizations, blood being drawn, and a lot of poking and prodding. Needless to say, it was a bit rough for him (and me!). But the good news is that he’s doing great. For a boy who was born under six pounds and who spent six weeks in the NICU, being in the 50% for height, weight, and head size, as well as being on target developmentally, is […]

Categories: Faith, Parenting, Relationships • Tags: Christianity, Jesus, Life, Love, Motherhood, Prayer

Siblings, Race, Cancer, Leaukemia, Lymphoma

Love is More than Enough

September 13, 2011 by allisonbenotafraid

Have I mentioned before that I am a blessed woman? I say it so often because it’s true, and I am reminded of this everyday. Though I’ve felt many emotions and sensations these past seven months (it’s been seven months to the day since I was first diagnosed with cancer), what I’ve felt most is loved and blessed. Another example of how loved and blessed I am occurred this past Sunday, when my older brother Clete Willems completed a triathlon […]

Categories: Cancer, Faith, Relationships • Tags: Brother, Friendship, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Love, Triathlon

What Wondrous Love is This: Showing Love Without Words

September 1, 2011 by allisonbenotafraid

Last weekend I enjoyed waiting out Hurricane Irene with two of my closest friends. We had a wonderful time sharing two of our babies and a new home, and just catching up. I am continuously amazed by the beauty of these two women-not only in how they live their own lives but in how they love me. We went to mass early, on Saturday night, just in case we couldn’t make it on Sunday due to Irene. After the homily, […]

Categories: Cancer, Faith, Parenting, Relationships • Tags: Christianity, Friends, Hope, Jesus, Life, Love, Lymphoma

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