In celebration of today -- National Cancer Survivors Day -- I attended a BBQ event at the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge. The Hope Lodge, here in Gainesville, Florida, houses out-of-town cancer patients and their families so they can live in town temporarily while undergoing treatment at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida. So these patients were able to easily attend the festivities today -- which included a BBQ lunch, gift bags, a keynote speaker, and a tour of the Lodge. Survivors from the community attended too for an uplifting afternoon of camaraderie.

My time at the event was limited. My boys, ages five and three, were with me and while they were entertained for a while by cookies and a fish tank and the box of mints that came in my gift bag, I knew their energy was best spent in the outdoors where they are always peaceful and content. And so goes my story with cancer -- I don't have much time to focus on this disease because of these two little men who distract me and keep me on my toes and redirect me with not a moment's notice. It's a blessing really -- the distraction -- because I get to spend more time on the joyous moments of my life and not on the worrisome ones. I get to watch my boys pick up sticks and turn them into fishing poles and watch turtles swim in lakes and dig in the dirt in search of shells. The official survivor celebration today was great -- while it lasted -- and I feel honored to be a part of a community of cancer survivors that in the United Stated is 10 million strong. But I must say that the best celebration for me today was the chance to really watch my boys, to really play with them, and to feel truly thankful for these two little angels who allow me to happily survive.