Meet my Bud, Kelly Leece (KEL)
She’s the blonde haired beauty with me in most of the photos on this website. She is one of the strongest reasons why I dug up the courage to share this project.
She has been my “Hope Giver” in so many times I can’t even count them all. Some days I feel like she still doesn’t fully grasp how much I look up to her and all her strength.
When she first started attending my Yoga for Cancer Survivors classes, she was pretty quiet at first. Yet somehow I had a gut feeling that we would be lifelong friends. Week after week in my classes she started to open up, her spark showed up!
It was amazing to see how she encouraged the other students around her. Offering tips, and speaking about what she had learnt through her surgery and chemo, side effects etc… she laid it all out on the table in hopes that it could help someone else in some way.
Oh and it did! It wasn’t before long that our class of 15 complete strangers turned into a closely knit group of friends who would meet for tea, lunches and often just sat and chatted long after class time had wrapped up. These moments were priceless. My absolute favourite!
I could blab on about her awesomeness but ultimately I just want to say thanks, Kel. Thanks for giving me a reason to see this world with brighter color, and for helping me and so many others realize the power of togetherness, friendship and community.
Now I will pass the torch to Kel - and give her the opportunity to share you to share her 2 cents.
Oh hi there, I’m Kelly Leece. I have always considered myself a happy person, but I am enjoying life more than ever before. And I know it sounds cliché but I also appreciate the simple things in life like the sounds of nature when I go for a walk, the beautiful mountains that we are so lucky to have in our backyard and the gorgeous sunrise/sunsets. I think when we find out we have cancer, we get afraid that we may lose the things that we cherish so much. Yet it’s such an eye opening experience that can help us appreciate all the good things in our lives that too often we take for granted. Yoga has been such a positive in my life for countless reasons, but it has especially helped me:
Manage and reduce my levels of stress/anxiety
Helped me sleep better
Made me feel strong again
Gain flexibility after my surgery
Made me appreciate taking time to listen from the inside out
It took me a while to realize, but I can honestly now say that cancer has changed my life for the better. I never thought I would say that.
I try not to waste any days
I try to do something useful/meaningful each day
I have more empathy for people - as everyone is going through something you know nothing about so always be kind.
Cancer has helped me appreciate kindness on a whole new level. So, my wish is to share that with others the best way I can.
Love,
Kelly Leece
With love,
Kelly