While most people look forward to October for Halloween and the changing of seasons, apple picking, fall baking, or what have you, I embrace October as a great and powerful reminder that life is fleeting and meant to be lived to the fullest.

In our house, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has always been important. When I was small, my maternal grandmother was diagnosed and passed away from a second and very long battle with breast cancer. Years later, my paternal grandmother developed and battled breast cancer multiple times, until it finally took her life last year.