Eight years ago on the first Sunday in May, I went to my Mother's to go to the annual Decoration Day Service at the country cemetery where many of my ancestors are buried. Decoration Day was the social event of the year in this small community and my Mother never missed it. She got a new outfit and her hair and nails were always freshly done.
But this Sunday was different. She did not feel well and did not go. She went to the doctor several times and they really just gave her the run-around. Told her that she needed to go to a nursing home. This went on for too long and I went to the doctor with her and "threw a little red-headed fit" and insisited on tests. A couple of days later she was diagnosed with lung cancer and a brain tumor that was pressing on her brain stem. She died 6 weeks later.
She had smoked for many years but had been quit for around 9 years when she was diagnosed. I believe that she would want to send this message to everyone out there who is struggling with the decision to quit and stay quit: Quit before it is too late - no one should have to die such an undignified death!
This afternoon I am attending the Decoration Day Service in her honor! I am asking anyone having temptations to smoke, please do not smoke today in honor of my beautiful Mother!
