A Bow & A Ribbon. A Post of Heart.

I was recently introduced to a group on etsy by looking at my traffic stats. I saw that I was getting traffic to my Small Business Saturday by a link on etsy, so naturally I clicked on it.  When I did I  find the etsy team: Christian Artists Promoting Shops – CAPS. I was surprised to find a list of link-ups open to shops and Shirley, the owner of, a Bow for Mama was the one heading the list! Thankful for the traffic to my link-up I joined the team, and soon created a relationship with Shirley.

Soon enough I received my first box of bows from Shirley. A box larger than I expected and I opened it up to tissue paper upon tissue paper carefully cradling this beautiful bow:

It was carefully wrapped and protected with plastic and it’s loops (formally known as the Petals – like a flower) gently stuffed with tissue to made sure they held their shape. It’s was beautifully done, and it even came with a letter telling me about the care and ability for shaping my bow.

It didn’t end there though.
I also received a free “accessory” bow in my box – a smaller, perfect for a little package.
And perfect for those like me who are less than fab at wrapping. See!

In my box of bows I also received this beautiful Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon, because Shirley is an advocate from Breast Cancer Awareness and friends, she is going to take over the rest of this post to share her heart with you and her experience with Breast Cancer.  So please welcome Shirley!

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Firstly, I would just like to thank Kristina for the opportunity to share a bit of my story here on the

Blog. I am grateful for the all those who give to the cause of breast cancer research

and pour out prayers on behalf of those affected. I’d like to begin by telling you about my name, Shirley

Ann. Before it was mine, it belonged to a super woman. Shirley Ann was my Granny, my Mama’s

beloved Mama. She was a teacher who was renowned for having a special gift for teaching and guiding

children. She was a wife that lived up to the Biblical example so many of us strive for. She was a mother

committed to raising my Mama, my uncle and my aunt. And she was something special to a whole lot of

people. She’s been called a mentor, an adviser, confidant, friend, counselor, and many other wonderful

accolades. But at 52 years of age, she was gone. Breast cancer.

Like her mother before her, she lost her life to breast cancer, which in the end caused the brain tumors

that took her from her family. My mother was of course devastated and her main solace was me, the

little one growing inside her. A little less than eight months later my family welcomed a new Shirley Ann.

All my life, since I was given this powerful namesake, I’ve heard the stories of my Granny. She couldn’t

be here to impact my life directly, because breast cancer is deadly, but no one has had a greater

influence on me than her.

I can never be like Shirley Ann White, who has left a character legacy beyond compare. I can never live

up to the amazing standard and personality that she impacted so many people with. But her life gifted

me with just enough talent, just enough love, just enough spiritual hunger, and just enough compassion

to try. She isn’t here to give grandmotherly lectures or pep talks. She isn’t here to hug or encourage, but

her legacy continues to influence me, daily. I’m told I have her determination, but could use a little more

of her gentleness. I’ve been given her love of prayer, but seem to lack her unending patience. I’ve got

that compassion and desire to help, but am sadly empty-handed when it comes to her wisdom.

I’m increasingly grateful for every ounce of my spirit and character that reflects hers; I don’t want to

imagine my life without my Granny’s influence. I am blessed to have her legacy to build my life on, but

often, so often, I am filled with the deepest desire to know her, not just her stories. To see and hug her,

not just touch her pictures. I am overcome with the sadness of never hearing her voice even though the

wise things she spoke of have been repeated to me over and over again.

At the end of the day, I always have to remember that I can’t wish enough wishes to bring back my

Granny. I can’t undo the breast cancer and brain tumors that ended her life so early. But I know if my

Granny were here, she would tell me not to waste my wishes, but to spend my energy, my words and

resources on those who are still in this world. So in honor of my Granny and with all sincerity, I am

writing this to all of you, breast cancer can take a life, though I pray it will never take another. Breast

cancer can change a family forever, but it cannot take a character legacy, nor change it. I challenge

myself to live up to my Granny’s legacy because – that – is a worthy cause.