MY DADDY DIED
Saturday, March 20, at 3:20 am, my father died. He had emphysema, COPD, pneumonia, glaucoma. . .he suffered. Daddy was an Honorably Discharged United States Marine Sergeant. He broke barriers and despite the overwhelming racial problems (The Marines were the last branch of service to integrate and allow soldiers of color into the service) in two years he made Sergeant and served active duty in Korea.
He smoked believing he would get cancer and die. Instead he contracted emphysema and lived. I am grieving and having more difficulty than I let anyone know about. I am not angry that he died, but disappointed that such a brilliant man, did not quit smoking and missed out on 30 years of healthy living. I think about his genius mind, good heart, strong spirit and million dollar smile, that all slowly ebbed away.
I am not asking for anything for me. But the purpose for this post is to implore all of you to take care of yourselves. I am not a doctor and can’t tell you what to do, but do the best that you can. Even 1 step in the right direction every day, is 1 step ahead of where you were yesterday. You don’t have to join a health club, go for a walk. You don’t have to walk 10 miles, walk around the block, or to the end of the driveway. You don’t have to eat wheatgrass and celery. Cut back on salt, gravy, butter, eating late. I know smoking is very hard to quit, but you can do it. You don’t have to do it all at once. Do it one cigarette at a time. But for those of us who know and love you, be healthy.
