My Mother, Margaret “Peg” Stanton, was truly an inspiration to many. Peg was a school teacher for 35 years, however outside of the classroom she taught many the value of friendship, strength, and courage. Peg's life was a series of lessons to her beloved children, to her devoted husband, to her numerous friends and family and to herself. Her classroom was never confined to 4 walls as she taught many to "think outside of the box". In 1999, Peg was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of breast cancer, Inflammatory Breast Cancer, or IBC. Her treatments included a radical mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and a grueling bone marrow stem cell transplant. Peg tried chemo after chemo, but to no avail, the cancer kept spreading. She faced head on each treatment option and never questioned why she was chosen to suffer. Instead she began a journey to help her find an inner peace. In Sedona, Arizona, a butterfly landed on her shoulder and became her "symbol". Peg found many correlations between herself and the butterfly, so fragile yet so strong at the same time. During her journey she started writing poetry to help her make sense of it all and of her life. She hoped that her poems would inspire others experiencing this same struggle. As one of her final wishes I published a book of her poems after she passed. Peg lost her battle on January 23, 2005. Here is part of one of my favorite Poems entitled The Butterfly Is Me (Which is also what I titled her book). Wrapped in the chrysalis safe and warm, There is a life being nurtured, about to transform. Wintering away on the branch of a tree, A miracle of nature is waiting for me. She was a true inspiration!

Kris Mellinger
Indiana, PA