Breast Cancer Awareness (Off Topic)

[Guest guest]

Subject: Breast Cancer Awareness Month...please pass this on...it's very

important to ALL of us.

A handsome, middle aged man walked quietly into the cafe and sat down.

Before he ordered, he couldn't help but notice a group of younger men at

the table next to him. It was obvious they were making fun of something

about him, and it wasn't until he remembered he was wearing a small pink

ribbon on the lapel of his suit that he became aware of what the joke

was all about. The man brushed off the reaction as ignorance, but the

smirks began to get to him.

He looked one of the rude men square in the eye, placed his hand beneath

the ribbon and asked, quizzically, " This? " . With that the men all began

to laugh out loud. The man he addressed said, as he fought back

laughter, " Hey, sorry man, but we were just commenting on how pretty

your little ribbon looks against your blue jacket! " The middle aged man

calmly motioned for the joker to come over to his table, and invited him

to sit down. As uncomfortable as he was, the guy obliged, not really

sure why. In a soft voice, the middle aged man said, " I wear this ribbon

to bring awareness about breast cancer. I wear it in my mother's honor. "

" Oh, sorry dude. She died of breast cancer? " " No, she didn't. She's

alive and well. But her breasts nourished me as an infant, and were a

soft resting place for my head when I was scared or lonely as a little

boy. I'm very grateful for my mother's breasts, and her health. " " Umm " ,

the stranger replied, " yeah " . " And I wear this ribbon to honor my wife " ,

the middle aged man went on. " And she's okay, too? " , the other guy asked

" Oh, yes. " " She's fine. Her breasts have been a great source of loving

pleasure for both of us, and with them she nurtured and nourished our

beautiful daughter 23 years ago. I am grateful for my wife's breasts,

and for her health. " " Uh huh. And I guess you wear it to honor your

daughter, also? " " No. It's too late to honor my daughter by wearing it

now. My daughter died of breast cancer one month ago. She thought she

was too young to have breast cancer, so when she accidentally noticed a

small lump, she ignored it. She thought that since it wasn't painful, it

must not be anything to worry about. "

Shaken and ashamed, the now sober stranger said, " Oh, man, I'm so sorry

mister " .

" So, in my daughter's memory, too, I proudly wear this little ribbon,

which allows me the opportunity to enlighten others. Now, go home and

talk to your wife and your daughters, your mother and your friends. And

here . . . " The middle aged man reached in his pocket and handed the

other man a little pink ribbon. The guy looked at it, slowly raised his

head and asked, " Can ya help me put it on? " This is breast cancer

awareness month.

Do regular breast self-exams{EVERY MONTH!!!!!!!!} and have annual

mammograms if you are a woman over the age of 45. And encourage those

women you love to do the same. Please send this on to anyone you would

like to remind of the importance of breast cancer awareness.