This is rather important. I'm sure you would all agree.

Please read this....

>

>Here goes:

>

> 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 pink 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.

>

>PLEASE KEEP THIS CANDLE GOING!

>

> This one I do ask that you send on.

Rick.

BRAVO Rick!:classic:

Thank you.

1 BRAVO: Bravo! thanks for that story. My wife is a survivor of 6 years and still going strong.

3 Cheers for 1 Bravo 6 and his message!!

My ex-wife is a breast cancer survivor.

Do self exams, and get check-ups regularly.

Knowledge is POWER!

Thanks you blokes,

When I received that email from a mate in Brisbane I decided to give it the widest coverage possible. After all, it IS of life saving importance.

My wife of 36 years has had a few scares. Each time finding a lump while checking herself.

I might poke fun at her and make up nicknames for her but I wouldn't trade her in, not even for Kylie Minogue. I hope to have her around for another thirty six years.

Rick.

(hmmmm, on second thought, Kylie-----------------------------).