Nursing vs. extinguishing our demons…and butts
Barack Obama (who a Hillary supporting friend snarkily refers to as “Messiah”) smokes. Even though he’s “95% cured,” “there are times when I mess up,” he admitted in a press conference yesterday.
Oh, the smoking must drive Michelle crazy! And the girls! I can still remember being a little girl and crying because both my parents smoked and just could not seem to quit. I couldn’t imagine how hard it was- it was so far outside my ken. One of the biggest adjustments I’ve had to make as a grown up is accepting that I cannot change the bad habits of those I love. I can only support them as they try to change. Husband, father, even myself as I struggle to lose baby weight. How we balance our concern for ending the bad habits of those we love without being nags? The truth is, you never know what will happen. When my son was born, my mom told me “you’re now a hostage to love.” How true that was.
But every once in a while, you read something that makes you think, “Goddammit, why can’t x person take care of himself! Doesn’t he realize how lucky he is!” This article, from Asha Dornfest via the American Cancer Society’s More Birthdays blog, struck me. Asha writes about her childhood friend Mike, who battled lung cancer at 34:
Mike says that cancer has made possible a vitality and an immediacy that he never knew existed. Without cancer, he may have never had the motivation or courage — or even the inclination — to run a marathon, or climb Mt. Whitney, or hike to Machu Picchu. More importantly, the time he spends with his wife, Linda, and his son, Griffin, is a gift Mike never takes for granted.
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About Me
Morra Aarons-Mele utilizes social media strategies to help employers, employees and communities connect. She also consults with leading organizations on how women can use the internet for professional and personal development. In her spare time, Morra enjoys blogging about women and politics. Read her full bio >>
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