Dearest Breast,

You became a part of me nearly 33 years ago and we have journeyed together
ever since. You have brought femininity to my figure and form to my clothes. Through
bodily changes in the childbearing years, you lent to me a proportionate shape.
You have gifted me intimate moments with my husband including pleasures not
elsewhere found. No one talks about such hush things of this nature, but in secret
places we know this to be true.

You produced liquid gold to nourish my four babies for a total of nearly five years
providing the best possible start in life for these young babies. For some of my wee
ones, you were where our bodies first touched as the nurse put each sweet bundle to
you for nourishing. Through the breastfeeding years you brought a sweetness and
delight to my heart, as I gazed into the eyes of my precious ones. These moments
were cherished, and you were the means for making them happen. I tuck these
memories down into my heart for safekeeping.

Dear breast of mine, somewhere along the way you became ill. Over the past
year we have journeyed together to get back to health. You have been poked and
prodded, examined, scanned, and scrutinized, but you rose to the occasion once more
responding to treatment and returning mostly to your normal looking self. You have
been through so much.

In a couple of days you and I will part ways. I am grieving this moment and all
you have meant to me. As we’ve talked, I believe you understand it is yet another
lifegiving service for you to provide and that this will be your final duty. This time, by
your act of separation, you will provide nourishment of health and life to me! In the quiet
spaces my heart grieves for the loss of you. Not all will understand, but in the face of
losing you, I have paused to consider the intimacy and bond we shared. As a woman it
runs deep.

So I take the time to write you this letter, as we will soon part ways, in order to
help my heart let go. I want to thank you deeply for all you have brought to me the last
33 years. I want to thank you for the many cherished experiences. I want to thank you
for what you’ve done for my children, and I want to thank you for the trooper you have
been on this cancer journey. But lastly, my dearest breast, lastly I want to thank you for
your final act. Oh I will miss you so. I am left with many gifts and blessings only you
could provide, the biggest one nearing its final hour, where we will part ways and you
will sacrifice yourself to save me. For all of these things, I thank you. The journey has
been good. You have been good to me. Remember, as we part ways, The sweet and
Good Good Father reminded me a few days back, it will not be forever. One day, we
will be reunited again. We will be restored to perfection with no threat of illness to bring
about this kind of sadness again. So take heart, it’s only temporary, and until that day I
am holding the deepest gratitude for you, and know that as we say goodbye, you will be
sorely missed.

Love,

Me