She blew
into the salon like a breath of fresh air.
Her smile was bright. Her hair
and make-up were flawless. She wore
tight fittin’ jeans that would turn men’s head.
High heel boots only made the spring in her step more visible. And she was wearing the most gorgeous pink
sweater.
Rose, my
hair stylist, excused herself to hug her neck and take the load of pink
sweaters from her arms. They laughed and
giggled about various things and off the lady in pink went.
When Rose
came back I asked to see one of the pink sweaters that she was holding. As soon as I felt the sweater, I knew I had
to have one. The material felt like a
soft, warm robe that you would want to bundle up in every chance you got.
Rose
explained she was selling more than just a pink sweater. The proceeds from all the sweaters go to the
Sharon L Bassett fund, a breast cancer foundation. Rose had lost her own mother to breast cancer
and I wasn’t surprised she was willing to support this special foundation.
What shocked
me was the story behind the Sharon L Bassett fund. The lady in pink, the one I thought was the
breath of fresh air, had breast cancer.
She looked like she had life by the strings yet still was undergoing
treatment for breast cancer.
But Rose
explained she was a survivor. She had
chosen to fight and make a difference with the discouraging hand life had dealt
her.
The Sharon L
Bassett fund helps provide transportation to breast cancer treatments for
low-income women. And Sharon herself was
one of the women providing the transportation.
She was sharing her struggle and fight with women who were dealing with
the same battle. And she did this with a
huge smile on her face that made you believe life was good.
I sat
through the rest of my hair appointment thinking about Sharon and how her
choice to make a difference has influenced and inspired so many.
Of course I
left the salon with a soft, beautiful pink sweater. But I also left with the reminder that one
person can make a difference. And every
time I see that pink sweater in my closet or wear it, it humbles me that I am
blessed with so much and it reminds me to find ways to help other people.
I challenge
you to find ways to help others regardless of your situation.
The
opportunities to give are unlimited:
·
A warm
embrace
·
A prayer
·
A listening
ear
·
A donation
to a local charity
·
A
hand-written note
·
Your time
·
Volunteering
at your local shelter
And I hope
you receive your own pink sweater, a special something to remind you that you
can indeed make a difference!