Michelle, My Belle

I got the opportunity to spend some time with two of my favorite people recently.  Amy Clancy and Michelle Millman.  I met these girls years ago when we all worked at KIRO-TV in Seattle.  I went freelance after having kids, but these two lovely ladies found a way to successfully balance their work with their family lives.

Michelle (the smiley one in the middle) is facing a new challenge.  She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  A few weeks ago she underwent a double mastectomy after finding cancer in her right breast.

The thing about Michelle that's so striking is she is the most positive person ever.  I like to refer to her as Susie Sunshine.  She never seems to get too angry or too down no matter what life throws at her.  And now, battling breast cancer, she is even "Susie Sunshinier" if that's possible.  

I put myself in her place:  there are two sweet boys to raise, a handsome husband who loves her, a great family, a job she loves and zillions of friends… I put myself in her place and am even more in awe of her strength.  She's in shock, but not sorry for herself.  She feels sick after her treatment but she's not bitter.

She is still wearing her trademark smile, although she chose to chop off her trademark hair a few weeks ago. She was worried about the affect losing her hair might have on her boys. So she decided to get a cute short 'do, so that "no hair" wouldn't be as big of a shock. That's Michelle.  Always thinking of others before herself, always up, even when most people would be down.  

She's always been incredibly cute/adorable/pretty but with life's latest curveball she is somehow becoming even more beautiful.  Michelle, My Belle.