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.

  cournmel