The Powers Of Love

      By all accounts, the Powers' household was like any other in the Mt. Greenwood community.

      With five daughters close in age, and a son, there was, no doubt, never a dull moment for their patient parents.  And I thought having two daughters less than two years apart was a challenge!

      Like any other family overflowing with females, they fought, snuck each others clothes and, in coming of age years, shared the all important teen-age secrets.  They supported each other in bad times and shared the laughter in happy times.

      Not much has changed in the years since they have grown into adults.  I recently read an empowering story about the Powers women.

      They have joined forces to fight breast cancer with what they call Team KA-POW.  Membership to this team includes many friends and family who support Annie and Kathleen, both cancer patients who are dedicated to raising funds to find a cure for this dreaded disease.

      Breast cancer is not the only medical affliction affecting women in the Powers family.

      Along with her mother Marilyn, Debbie frequently fights the painful flare-ups that Rheumatoid arthritis brings.  However, it doesn't divert her efforts to support the cause of cancer research on behalf of her sisters.

      But there is another side to this story -- an inspiring show of their sisterly love that is a profound example of sodality in overcoming adversity.

      Kathleen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001.  Her sister Annie would also be diagnosed with the same disease, one year later. Sadly, in 2005, Kathleen's cancer was found to have spread to her pelvis and spine, while Annie's breast cancer had also returned.

      Through the demands of dealing with cancer and undergoing the rigorous chemo regimens to treat it, a story of pure love and hope is born amid the medical challenges.

      For Annie the desire to become a mother never faded though it seemed unlikely.  Medications and cancer treatments would prevent her from becoming pregnant.  And then, the "Powers of love" shone brightly on a promising situation.

      Annie wanted a baby of her own but wouldn't be able to carry one.  But, her sister Mary could.  So Mary became a surrogate mother for Annie -- an unselfish act of love that not many women would be able to commit to.

      Little Mary Elise was born July 2, 2006, lovingly named after the aunt who carried her, allowing her to grow right below her heart. To her mom, Mary is a wee angel of pure love, an answered prayer from God above.

      Sisters, they share many things throughout a life time.  They celebrate good times and hold each other up when bad times threaten to knock them down.  When family ties are sewn securely within the heart, there is nothing that can't be done or overcome.

      In writing this story I am reminded of an old expression, "It's not what life hands you but how you handle it that counts."

      The determination of these women is a gift of inspiration to us all and a true testament to their parents, Marilyn and Gene Powers, who can be so proud of raising such loving, caring and compassionate daughters.

      There is no denying the Powers of sisterly love.

~ Kathy Whirity ~

Kathy says, "I wrote this in hopes that the story of the Powers family could, perhaps, inspire others who are going through the rigors of cancer and other diseases. I think their story is proof that even cancer cannot kill hopes and dreams if you believe strongly enough."

Bio: Kathy Whirity lives in Chicago where she shares her life and love with her husband of 28 years, Bill, their two daughters Jaime and Katie, and two rambunctious retrievers Holly and Hannah. Kathy is a family life columnist for two area newspapers.

[ By: Kathy Whirity Copyright © 2005 -- submitted by: Kathy Whirity (kathywhirity@yahoo.com) ]