Excuse me, but has anyone seen winter?

I'm happy to say that the weather has finally turned into something humane and the only signs of winter are the potholes that swallow tires faster than Alec Baldwin loses custody battles.

But there is more to it than that.

May is about life. It's about a new beginning and a fresh start; something we can all use after surviving another tough winter. It's not a coincidence, then, that the "Race for the Cure" event is held in May.

And while the event always corresponds with Mother's Day next weekend, it only seems appropriate to mention it this week so that we can each make our pledge to either walk or sponsor someone.

Everyone knows someone who is either currently afflicted with breast cancer or suffered from breast cancer. It's not pretty.

However, the women that face this battle daily are truly inspirational. They are mothers, daughters, spouses, sisters, aunts and grandmothers. They are friends. They might be your co-worker or someone who cut you off in traffic. Regardless, they are living proof that the Race for the Cure is working.

Statistics show that about 1,500 people per day are diagnosed with cancer. That would wipe out Butler in less than a month.

So far, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has given more than 1,000 grants totaling in excess of $180 million. The strides it has made are simply remarkable, with a goal of wiping out breast cancer. Knowing the strength of the women who founded the organization, that goal will eventually be met.

But again, May is about living, just like the Race for the Cure.

The ironic part, of course, is that the survivors I know adamantly deny that life is a race itself. Rather, it is a journey each day.

A survivor I know recently told me that "we are judged by our donation, not by our duration." Wow. I struggle each day with words to describe inexplicable things to readers, and she sums it up better than I ever could!

And that's what is truly amazing. Despite what these survivors go through each day, they continue to live with a passion and zest few of us can ever imagine. Each sunrise, or hug, or moment of complete unbroken silence is golden.

These champions of life don't dip their toe in the water and they don't just jump in. They swan dive in from 50 feet up, head first, eager to feel that rush of adrenaline pulsing through their veins!

It makes me feel like a slug.

I complain about "having" to do things, like push the kids in the swings, or go for a run or take the garbage out in the rain. Cancer survivors "get" to do those things. Funny how one little word makes all the difference.

I urge each of you to run, not walk, next weekend to an event near you. And if you can't participate, please find someone you can sponsor in this event that touches each one of us. Remember, we are judged by our donation, not by our duration.