Mother's Day

Mother's Day is approaching along with my fourth anniversary of my cardiac arrest. I call it my second birthday. My re-awakening. My remembering of what I have always known, but perhaps have forgotten along the way. I am so thankful to be celebrating another Mother's Day with my mother and my family. I am forever grateful that my daughter's birthday is not scarred with the memories of my death. Four years ago, instead of a birthday celebration that I promised my daughter, she watched as I lost my life. It is only because of the valiant, super-human effort by two emergency room doctors, hospital staff and perhaps some serious prayer on the part of my husband, that I was brought back to life and can discuss this with you today.  

What about the women and families who are not so lucky? Heart disease takes the life of one woman every minute. It's not just something that happens to other people. I am you. It happens. I'll bet you know of a woman who lost her life to heart disease. Wake up and pay attention. I have learned what your children really want for Mother's Day. They want to spend Mother's Day with you.

I was present at an American Heart Association meeting a few days ago.  One of the A.H.A. employees began to cry when she was sharing that her son's classmate's mother died suddenly from a heart attack.  She left behind five children and a husband.  I thought it was strange she was shocked. This woman hears survivor stories daily.  Each of us sitting around her had a frightening story. The woman explained, "I hear your stories, but each of you are alive. I told my husband that we have to make some lifestyle changes." Most women are NOT lucky. Do you really want to gamble? The odds are not in your favor. One in three women die from cardiovasular disease. If you smoke, if you are overweight or if you have not had a physical you are gambling with your life.  

The last four years have been such a blessing. I have met my son-in-law. I watched my daughter walk down the aisle. I helped my children move into their beautiful home. I witnessed law school graduation and the passing of two state bars. I witnessed my boys getting two great jobs. The list goes on and on. I have so much to live for. I can't wait to be a grandmother. As women we have the power to choose. Do we allow heart disease to cut our life experience short and miss out on so much? Don't disappoint our children by not being there for them. Choose life.

Ellen S. Abramson

Author of Live to Dance