This past week has been a rejuvenating one for me. I spent it with my family in Chesapeake Bay, MD being able to relax and zone out and do some family bonding. I got back feeling refreshed and spent yesterday volunteering with the American Cancer Society. I lead sessions of their Look Good Feel Better program in which I meet with women undergoing cancer treatments and go over skin care and makeup tips for their sensitive skin and loss of hair. They receive makeup kits that are donated by the cosmetics industry and get to leave with all new products and even wigs and scarves if they find one that they like. Makeup can seem like a frivolous and superficial thing at times, but being able to use it to connect with these women and give them 2 hours of pampering plus practical information is something that I am very grateful to be able to be a part of. If you know of any women who are going through cancer treatment, they can find times and locations of Look Good Feel Better at www.cancer.org.
I worked with a woman yesterday named Judy who is halfway through her chemo treatments. She had lost all of her beautiful white hair and felt exhausted all the time, but was grateful for the fact that she wasn't experiencing much sickness. She lives alone and has children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When I asked her what makeup she normally wears, she said she wears blue eyeliner and purple lipstick. We had fun trying out different colors and figuring out new ways to tie her scarf. She ended up taking a red wig with her. It suited her perfectly. She was so open and joyful throughout the whole session. We talked about her husband who had passed away from lung cancer, her diagnosis, her family, and I talked about my own experiences and family history with cancer. But never once was it depressing because of her hopeful and independent spirit.
I just wanted to share these things because no matter what profession you are in, it is easy for it to start to feel monotonous and to forget what made you choose it in the first place. It is important to savor the moments that bring joy, appreciation, and enthusiasm in whatever you may be doing. It will give you a renewed sense of purpose and drive. It makes me proud of what I have been doing, and gives me the push to want to do better.
