Team Little Sheri

It's May! Which means, we are deep into 2018 at this point. But May also means its Skin-Cancer Awareness Month.

I don't normally sit down at my laptop and write posts like this, however I think its time I share a bit about connection to skin cancer-- in hopes that it will help me in my continuing journey of grief, and also because it is so important to spread awareness. 

In 2013 I was living in Torrance, Ca. with the Garcia's. (For those of you new to my life's journey; The Garcia family has been my second family since I was about 4 or 5 years old) Life was fun, despite living with 5 cats I was extremely allergic to, life with my tribe was fun. But slowly, and yet, in an instant, things began to shift. Sheri (my second mama as I often called her) was diagnosed with skin cancer. I remember the day I got the call. I was at the Science Center with my friend and her kids when my boss called me and said I needed to come into work and they would send a car for me. Then the texts and calls from the family came in, saying Sheri got bad news and had to leave work. So while I waited on the side of the street in the middle of the Los Angeles, I prayed. Prayed it was a mistake. Prayed it was the typical bout with skin cancer we are used to hearing of, easily removed and never seen again. Unfortunately, as time went on, we learned it wasn't a mistake, and it wasn't going to be easy. Over the course of two years, I watch this loud, hilarious, strong, vibrant, sarcastic, caring, gentle, loving person be overcome by a monster of a disease. In 2015 I laid next to her in her hospital bed. I told her to go, to meet Jesus. I watched as my second family broke. I watched the two people I consider my sisters go through the hardest time of their lives. I watched a wonderful man anticipate any need his beautiful, suffering lady may have. I watched, helplessly. 3 years later and I still feel like I am watching. Watching my mom miss her best friend; my sisters cope with losing their mom. Watching this wonderful man figure out how to honor his partner who has now passed while navigating life without her. Watching myself striving to heal and be there for all of them. Watching us all figure out how to navigate the love for a sunny day but hatred for the sun. We are all still figuring out what life is supposed to look like without the fireball of a woman that Sheri was... is. Sheri still is, she just isn't here. 

While every year without her looks different for everyone, this year, as the Facebook memories roll in showing the Miles For Melanoma walk we have done, every year since her diagnosis, I feel drawn to speak up. If there is one thing I can do to honor Sheri, I believe it is to share her story so that no one else has to go through the trauma and terror she went through. Share, so families can be spared the hardship of watching their loved one fight this awful disease. So, as warmer weather approaches us, let's try to be mindful of ways we can enjoy the beauty of the sun, safely. A Sun-Safe Lifestyle is necessary. For everyone. Every age. Every skin tone. We are all susceptible.
Here are a few things you can do to keep you and your family safe this summer.

• Sunscreen: Sunscreen can be a hassle, I know. It doesn't smell the greatest; it doesn't feel the greatest and its time consuming. But man is it necessary. I was never a fan of sunscreen. I actually used to apply the opposite, and lather myself in baby oil to bake in the sun all day. IF ONLY I COULD GO BACK IN TIME. Make sure you applying early and often. SPF mainly refers to the UVB protection. So while you may not burn while using a high SPF sunscreen if you aren't using a product that also has UVA screening ingredients, you may still receive a large amount of skin-damaging radiation. So be sure to read the ingredients and do your research on the sunscreen you choose for you and your family.

• Hats and Sunglasses: We don't often think about the exposure to our scalps and eyes. Hats and sunnies are primarily seen as a fashion choice. But protecting these areas are very important. In Sheri's case, her first mole was spotted on her scalp by her hair dresser. 

• Limited Exposure: Vitamin D is important. Living in the grey skies of the PNW has proven that to be very true for me. However, be mindful of the exposure you are getting. Overexposure is possible and isn't healthy for many reasons such as heat stroke, sun burns and exposure to those harmful UVs. So just be mindful of your fun in the sun. 

• Moles: Lastly, check your body, regularly for moles. Know your body. Know what moles are new, recognize if moles have changed shape or color. Be aware, and check regularly.

Skin cancer, while, often heard of as an easily curable cancer, isn't always so easy. Yet there are over 5 million cases diagnosed in the US every year. It's at an epidemic level. Please Please Please be mindful of its dangers and consistent in your Sun Safe living. Embrace the sun, but with caution. Spread the word and have a beautiful, wonderful, exciting summer, everyone.
Mama Sheri, I miss you so much, everyday. Your Swedish meatballs, your taco salad, your laugh, your loud as can be sneezes, your clanking around in your high heels on the hardwood floor at 7am. I miss you. I love you. And I am having a glass of White Zinn as I write this, in your honor. <3 GiGi

#TeamLittleSheri

Empowered Women Empower Women

For a long time, I worked very hard at trying to please the girls around me. In order to gain their friendship, their approval, their love. Instead, I spent a lot of my formative years in a culture that was seemingly safe, but surrounded by resistance. I was pushed down, trampled on and dragged through the mud by those same girls I tried to love. For a long time (with the exception of a couple constants in my life.) I was under the impression that female friendships were fake or fleeting.

It was only after I removed myself from the constant cycle of criticism and condemnation that I realized EMPOWERED WOMEN EMPOWER WOMEN.

Thankfully, though I may have come out a bit battered and bruised emotionally; I have ventured into a reality full of bright and beautiful women. Women ready and willing to freely give me the friendships and love I craved for so long. The types of friendships I stopped believing could exist. My tribe is beautiful, strong, courageous, hilarious and so diverse. And they make those tough younger years all worth it.

To the wonderful women in my life-- my mother, my family, my friends:

You are wisdom. You are strength. You are joy. You are the arms that lift this world up. You are amazing women.

Happy International Women's Day to my heroes!