Who is Sarah Amento? I don’t actually know. I did not know her personally when she started showing up on my Facebook feed because one of my friends was “liking” her “Fighting Cancer with Sarah Amento” posts. After a while the posts caught my attention and I began to follow her too. She was a mother of five who wanted to live. It was that simple. She was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and she wanted to live. She was adamant in fact that she would beat cancer.

I followed her journey to other countries and states for treatment, we donated to her medical bills, I read as she tried new and different ways to beat the cancer and through it all her message remained the same–she was not ready to leave her children.

One morning, I saw an update on her Facebook page that was not from her, which was unusual. She had been writing her whole journey, the good, the bad, and even posting photos as she had a visible lump on her forehead which she bravely shared. But this post was from her husband. He was updating the page for her and reiterating that she was in pain but still fighting.

Usually when I read the posts I would feel either inspired or sad, or many things but in this instance I thought to myself , “I have to somehow honor this woman’s fight.” Yes I had hit “like” for her posts and commented, but her incredibly simple message deeply affected me and I wanted to do more. I wanted to do something. Reading her fight to live from her own account made me really acknowledge that I cannot take my time with my own children for granted. In fact, my whole life cannot be taken for granted. It hit me that I don’t want to be sick to realize how precious life is, Sarah was already bravely sharing how precious it is and what she will endure pain-wise to remain here.

I wouldn’t say I was taking my life for granted prior to this, but Sarah’s sense of urgency to be with her children made me realize I could be even more present and take more risks. It’s so easy to get caught up in my daily tasks and forget to really appreciate life in every moment. I could make sure that I got in the pool with the kids more instead of watching them from the side. I could para sail. I could try paddle boarding when it was offered to me because, “Why not?”

The day I read Sarah’s update from her husband I decided to ask myself this one simple question every single morning: “What can I do today to live my life to the fullest?” It’s not a new question or new thought, but for me it has been a life changing one because it is attached to Sarah’s message that she wanted to live so badly. It reminds me to do that little bit extra so that I can look back at the end of the day and think about the things I enjoyed. The things I actively participated in. Even if it was only painting a patio table on the porch while the kids were playing. Even if it was only a new recipe that I tried or taking my invisaligns out at the movies and enjoying popcorn for the first time in a year.

Sarah’s fight sadly ended a few weeks ago with her family saying she was fighting to the last minute and I have to say that her strong will is something so many people will remember. Her burning desire to enjoy everyday life is something I will remember. She left no stone unturned in her fight to survive.

When I ask myself what I can do today to live my life to the fullest, I can tell you my attitude has shifted. It may be to hug the kids more. It may be to take a risk with my writing. I did parasail, 800 feet in the sky held by a string! I am swimming with the kids more, making sure my phone is not a distraction and that I savor, really savor the little things.

I would love to hear what little extras you do in life that you really enjoy in the comments.

#lovelikesarah