Thanksgiving

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bach2yoga

Guest
Yesterday I spoke with a botany student of mine. She's 14. Her mother, an aquaintance of mine, found out yesterday that the chemo has not been successful; she has been given 6 months to live. She fought breast cancer and thought she had won, only to find out 2 months ago that it was spread throughout her body. I cried.

This morning I called the Y to talk to a friend of mine, Lisa, who also battled breast cancer. She has 2 young children. Lisa passed away last night. She lost the battle to breast cancer. I cried again. I can't imagine being the Y without her, and I can't imagine working without her. She always had a smile, and an encouraging word; she was so lively, and so much fun to be with.

I called another long-time friend of mine to talk to her today; we were married around the same time, gave birth to our first child around the same time, and both chose to homeschool our children. She is also fighting the same battle, and her prognosis is not good. Again, I cried.

All of these women are in their/were in their forties, and all with children.

As I called my mom to cry on her shoulder, as daughters sometimes do, I found my mom breathing laboriously and in tears. My mother had a severe asthma attack last week that hospitalized her and has been home recuperating. Unfortunately, severe pain and symptoms resembling stroke have her in the ER as I write.

This Thanksgiving, when you sit around the table with your loved ones, don't squabble over the petty things. You are here, and you are alive, and hopefully you and your family are healthy. Don't ever miss a chance to tell the ones that you love how much they mean to you, and thank them for being part of your life. Take advantage of life, it's too short and unpredictable.

Margaret, the first mother I mentioned, gave me this advice: Live life to its fullest, don't settle for less. Do what makes you happy, what gives you joy. And don't let those you love pass you by.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving, all of you....

Renee
 
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