Thirty years ago, my dear friend Kelly and I were worried about the environment and convinced our high school principal to let us start an after-school club to raise funds and awareness. We called it SOS: Save Our Surroundings and the group lasted at the school for over 20 years.

Now, we’re sending out an SOS of a different kind. In 2018, we were both diagnosed with breast cancer — Kelly with metastatic (MBC), which meant it had spread to other parts of her body, and me with triple negative (TNBC), the most aggressive type. It was a huge shock for us both, but also a beautiful gift to be able to confide in and lean on each other.

Months before her passing in February 2020, Kelly told me she wanted to start a blog inspired by our private discussions on death & dying, living with cancer, and what we’d learned that could help others. There wasn’t time to get it going, but I’m committed to making it happen now.

Why Speaking of Stardust?

Kelly wanted “Stardust” in the name, since that’s what we’re all made of — before, during and after our earthly lives. We come from the stars and return to the stars, bright-light swirling energy that never truly dies. Originally, she was thinking of “Library of Stardust,” but I found the name was already taken online. As I returned to this project after her passing, I thought about our success with “SOS” and began brainstorming what it could stand for now. As soon as “Speaking of Stardust” came to mind, a bunny hopped right across our yard in front of me. Kelly adored bunnies, and they’ve become a little sign for me that she’s around. So I knew in that moment we had our name and were on our way..

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