Nancy Lipsit: The Face of Strength

By: Patrick T. Walsh

When it comes to cancer, October is an important month. Universally known as breast cancer awareness month, we spend 30 days taking note of those that showcase the color pink (and one day dressed in fantastical outfits). But when the month ends, so does the public’s fascination with pink and its symbolism. That is unless it hits home, which it so very forcefully did recently.

You see, my aunt (my mother’s youngest sister) has always been strong. Inherently, that is the definition of a military wife. Married to the very model of modern military man, she dutifully and lovingly followed his vagabond military career across the globe. Eighteen months in Rome, three years in Germany and countless moves within the contiguous 48 states.

And that with two children, born four years apart; a girl, followed by a boy. Far enough apart (and with different genders) that there was no reusing of clothes or toys and any basic items – bottles, pacifiers, etc. â€“ would likely be locked away in storage in another state amidst their many military-prompted moves.

That alone deserves commendation. Add in the fact that her husband, while rarely in an active war zone, was a member of the United States Army at a tenuous time in history and there is an added level of stress for her. Then, after 27 years employed by Uncle Sam, he retired and the stress of what could happen had finally ended. Or so she thought.

A move to the private sector still brought about worldwide travel for my uncle. The trips were long, but temporary, and there was far less stress than a man in uniform carries. Then her strength was tested – he unexpectedly passed away while in Ethiopia. All of a sudden the former military wife had quickly become a widow. But with two children there was little opportunity to wallow in grief. Her default strength took over. Like so many times before, she was the rock for her children.

Lives stabilized since then and now her children near graduation; the oldest, from college and the youngest, from high school. But stabilization was never the status quo for a military family on the move and the status quo of constant change and challenge would cement itself into their lives.

That’s why pink is so important every month to me and not just in October. My aunt, who is the model of strength, was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Two separate rounds of chemotherapy are in line followed by surgery. Midway through her first round, she remains in positive spirits.

But that is not surprising to anyone that has witnessed her bubbly, outgoing personality. Always with a smile, she approached each challenging situation with an outward appearance of handling with ease regardless of he level of difficulty. The same must be true for this. Strength is required to triumph over a challenge as scary as cancer.

Strength, she has. It has been displayed all throughout her life, albeit in various facets. She continues to show it in the face of the greatest challenge she has faced in her life.

And strength she will continue to exhibit as she battles, and conquers, this latest unexpected challenge she is meeting head on.

Cancer always brings about many questions and an uncertain future. But if you know anything about Nancy Lipsit, and the strength that lies outwardly dormant within her, then you know that the future is anything but uncertain.

Read more about Nancy Lipsit's next future triumph here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/nancylipsit.