She takes off her armor: her wig and her smile.
Another day battled; another day conquered.
She is pale. Her cheeks are sunken.
Some may mistake her for frail, but she is a warrior.
She stares at her new self in the mirror, unsure whether tomorrow will be the same.

Deirdre Smith has dabbled in writing for as long as she can remember. She is a part-time Guidance Counsellor and all-the-time mom. She resides in St. John’s, Newfoundland. This piece was written for Childhood Cancer Awareness month (September) in memory of her cousin Becky Courage.