Chrisonomicon

Friday, August 25, 2000

I work with a woman named Joani. She was diagnosed with lung cancer today, and it's pulled a shroud of sadness over the office because she is a wonderfully personable woman and everyone cares for her quite a bit.

I just walked by the back patio and, looking out the window, I saw her sitting, smoking a cigarette. I don't know why I care, because I've seen her sit out there every day for the past two years but something inside me just burned when I saw the smoke escape from her lips. I wanted to run outside and shake her.

"What's wrong with you?"

She has breast cancer, too. I wonder why she doesn't take better care of her body. Why don't most people, for that matter? We dump so many poisons and carcinogens into our mouths, every day, eating artifical sweeteners, food dye, chemicals, and fat. They wouldn't be so bad in moderation or if the majority of people would actually exercise or take a hike in the evening instead of plopping down to watch television.

My opinion is changing about issues such as "Big Tobacco's" responsibility to the people. Physical addiction or no, you have control over your actions and choices. It's just a matter of degree and how important it is to you.