Rule #8

     Somewhere along the line, my family developed life rules.  I’m not sure what 1 through 7 are anymore because they all paled in comparison with Rule #8, “Smile no matter what happens!” 

 

     My mom spent her last few months in the hospital surrounded by her family and friends before she lost her battle with Ovarian Cancer.  That was 20 years ago.    Above her bed was a white board and I remember looking at it with my sister and writing on it, in extremely large red lettering, “Rule #8 – smile no matter what happens.”  Those few words made both my sister and I stronger and therefore made mom stronger.  When we entered mom’s room and wanted to cry – a quick look above her head reminded us to smile.  Mom didn’t need to worry about us when she was fighting for her life and with that reminder we smiled.

     After mom passed away, this rule is still our mantra.  My sister and I actually have the number 8 tattooed on our ankles to remind us that smiling makes things better and no matter what happens....smile!

     So as I look at that daunting hill...I smile, as I think about how much my body hurts after cycling 100 plus km....I smile and when I meet another family taking on the cancer fight...I smile.  

     I smile because Rule # 8 says I have to and I never break the rules!

Janis

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