The "C" Word

The passing of Kay Yow, the head basketball coach for NC State, made me think of my own mother. It was November 15, 1980 when she died from cervical cancer. She lived just 18 months after her diagnosis and died at the age of 60. I was just 28 at the time, but I remember it so clearly. Dying at 60 seems so very young given that I am in my 57th year myself.... Kelly was just over one when she died and Matt was not born. They never got to know her sense of humor, work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit and raw talent. She owned a restaurant, had her own cleaning business, and made custom draperies and bedspreads for interior designers. She was a wonderful cook and I still think of her mouth watering southern biscuits. I don't think I had a single piece of store bought clothes until I was in junior high school. She lived in California when she was young and once bowled a perfect 300 game. She had a big heart and was the oldest of 12 children. She fought the battle until the end and only gave up when her time had come.