After the plane made its take off and reached at high altitude, my face against the tiny window and looking over the clouds, my mind wanders on what have just transpired with my mom's recent bout with a heart attack and all the other crippling ailments, her aging and the reality that one day I will end up the same.

The once tireless woman in her younger years who raised 6 children, made sure we're all well fed and well dressed to school, very protective of us and still remain a vibrant lady who laughed heartily, sang along with Connie Francis, Dean Martin and Elvis LP'S (Long Playing Records) playing on her stereo while ironing our clothes, cleaning the house, preparing dinner and her chores - now her mind still sharp and incredible memory but physically disabled on a wheelchair with deformed athritic hands, body collapsing on hi-lo sugar levels, weak heart, daily blood pressure checks, sugar level checks and fed with 30 different kinds of medication, confined only in her bedroom and around the house is a heartbreaking picture.

Makes you think, an ailment can strike you at anytime and turn someone's life upside down and the process of disintegration starts. I know so many, only in their 40's afflicted with chronic deseases, some survived but their lives will never be the same again.

Then while we are still healthy and able, we should take advantage not abuse our bodies but to take care of our health, live and enjoy every minute of it today as what lies ahead for us tomorrow - no one really knows!

Meanwhile let me take a puff! I've gotta stop this shit!