From diagnosis to a final, beautiful kiss on the cheek, Joe Lucien reflects on his deeply kind, considerate and loving mom Beth’s breast cancer journey in this poignant college essay. Joe shares lessons learned - how he now knows the hard truth that things in life don’t always go the way you want them to and there are some things you just cannot control. Inspired and motivated by Beth’s strength, perseverance and early guidance, Joe has been able to reach down deep inside himself to strive, to achieve and to keep going.