>; Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2000 2:51 AM Subject: Please pass this on!!!! > The Candle > > > 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 and > have annual mammograms if you are a woman over the age of > 40. > 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. > > A CANDLE LOSES NOTHING BY LIGHTING ANOTHER CANDLE. > > This one I do ask that you send on. > > cpugh :) (for my mom and all women and men who love women, their mothers, > their sis's and daughters) >