What a day! This weekend I drove to Chicago to participate in the Esprit de She women’s triathlon and it was both an exciting and breathtaking day. My daughter came with me and I was able to participate with both my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law. The day started bright and early and I was asked ahead of time to sing the national anthem on behalf of all of the survivors participating in the race. The emcee shared a little about my story, book, and blog, and I was able to say a few words. I was also told the day before that Glo Minerals donated a lipstick called ‘Treasure’ to all of the survivors on behalf of Team Lipstick Journey! So to start the day, I swiped on Treasure, spoke a little and opened the event with the National Anthem in front of almost 2000 spectators. After the anthem of course, I cried like a baby. It is so overwhelming for me to still be able to sing that I always get emotional now when I actually pull it off. Well, the initially forecasted cold and rainy day turned out to be a sunny beautiful morning filled with fun and gratitude. My last blog spoke of strength and courage, but today I want to speak of hope and freedom. Once again, for me, it is so difficult to breathe so some may think I’m crazy,why even bother? Well, when I try to ‘beat’ my breathing problems caused by cancer it gives me hope and freedom for the future. I can feel my body working and pushing itself to the max and the outdoors and wind on my face gives me a sense of that freedom. Overcoming obstacles; the cancer, the breathing, gives me hope that I am not bound to the things that have happened in my past. We all have the choice and the freedom to always be moving forward. That’s the ‘why’…hope and freedom to move forward. So did Team Lipstick Journey win? Of course not, but we finished strong and smiling!!
Today I wear Treasure by Glo Minerals. I have been wearing it all day long and I love it! It looks like a shocking hot pink in the tube but it actually goes on a soft raspberry color on me. I believe it would look great on any skintone! It is mineral based and moisturizing. I’ll close by saying what I said earlier in my speech, treasure today and treasure each moment of breath because you never know what tomorrow brings! Cheers!
Anna's Lipstick Journey 
I love it, HOPE and FREEDOM! Thank you for your inspiration! I would love to see you singing the National Anthem! I might cry too, but will keep an eye out for it anyway! Love you strong lady!
Love you Leanna!
Wow – what an inspiration, Anna! “Did you win?” I see nothing but a winner – there is VICTORY all over this story!! The bigger the challenge, the greater the victory and you have risen from it all with the strongest voice ever in the truest sense. Brava, sister!!
Thank you Grace! You are AWESOME! Thanks for your constant prayers and encouragement! love you
Sadly, were I to sing the national anthem, it would be everyone else who would be crying.
Kudos on your singing, and Treasure looks good on you.
Thank you Bev! You crack me up!
Well, you did it again. You brought a tear to my eye and I wasn’t even there. But I know that voice and the struggle. Okay, I give in. Send me a tube and I will post just for you! Olve Ya’
Wow, Pain meds are kicking in. Meant LOVE YA!
Love you too Bob, praying things are getting better!?!
Anna, I read your blog on a regular basis and I want to thank you for your consistently uplifting tone. This one really touched me as anxiety is growing over an ultrasound I have scheduled in 2 weeks to follow up on a concerning lymph node that we spotted 6 months ago. My papillary carcinoma was similar in aggressiveness to yours, by reading your book, and to date it is unsure if thyroglobulin is a reliable tumor marker for me as well. Though I do not sing, and it was only temporary, I did wake from my thyroidectomy with a paralyzed vocal chord and only able to speak in a whisper. I say all that to say, that I relate to your story, I appreciate your faith and I think your effort to find the positive is fantastic. I like to think of myself as a “silver lining kinda girl” but today, I needed a little extra help. Thank you.
Janna, you’re very welcome! I’m glad my blog helps if even for a little, we definitely need each other. Why do people automatically think thyroid cancer is easy? We all need a little extra push every now and then….even for us ‘silver lining gals’ Blessings to you!