A Loss No Words Can Express

Many of my close family and friends have heard me talk about my friend, Michelle Bynum. She is one of the most inspirational women I have ever met in my life, and her story is one that relates all too closely to my own Mom's battle with breast cancer. Michelle's smile is one that no person could forget; her hug is one that after she had wrapped her arms around you, you knew you'd been hugged. If there were any way to bottle Michelle's personality up... I would carry it around with me wherever I went-she was truly infectious. This past Wednesday morning, January 26th, Michelle passed her torch, but her warrior spirit will live on forever.

I became close to Michelle after meeting her the summer of 2009, while working with the Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, she was our Race for the Cure Honorary Chair, and our partner in crime for the first ever Horns for Hope football game with the University of Texas! It didn't take long before our occasional passing became friends meeting up for lunch or coffee. The similarities of our stories paralleled all too close. A tenacious mother battling stage IV breast cancer, with a child (or children) breathing life against her the fight; and giving mom another reason, another glimmer of hope, and another minute to share, with a time clock that was counting down to an unknown amount of time.

After hours of laughter and tears, Michelle would always thank me for the time that we had shared together. But what I could never convey to her, was that the time I was blessed to have with her was just as, if not more, therapeutic and meaningful to me. If I could impart my story, my life, and more importantly reveal the insights of my experiences with my Mom's battle...the time shared together would never be enough.

I cannot explain the emotions that have gone through my body these past days. The sadness of losing a close friend, the empathy I feel for her family during this difficult time and memories I choke back, just four short years after my Mom passed. But as Michelle always reminded me... it was God who brings us together on Earth, and He will reunite us again one day. There will be no more pain, treatments, Dr. visits or scans.  Michelle-I cannot begin to express how much you will be missed, but I am so grateful for our friendship and the time I was so blessed to have with you these past two years.

Komen Crew @ Horns for Hope Event (Michelle and her husband, Brad, are in the Center)

Michelle & I at the National Championship Football Game in Los Angeles

Michelle & I at the Hope for a Cure Luncheon

Make sure you watch over those Longhorns for us, and may everyone learn how to "Eat life with a big spoon."  And as you always said, "Thank you for loving me."

Click below for:
-KVUE Tribute to Michelle

-Komen Austin's Tribute