One of my former co-workers called me today to tell me that "Janet" (of Survivor Round 4 fame) passed away on Saturday.She had once proudly volunteered that she was 53 years old and had her retirement all planned out. I remember guiltily thinking that due to smoking and constant illness, she looked much older. One of the bosses in my hallway used to talk about her because she scratched her head with scissors and other assorted office products when she thought nobody was looking. But Janet was cool. She could talk forever, and even though you didn't always want to hear what she was saying, she was still a sweet lady who shared my hate for the job. Her pride and joy was her multi-talented granddaughter, and she brought said granddaughter to work on several occasions. She used to tell me stories about how she slipped her granddaughter extra money/secret gifts when the mom was away. She made me wish I could have known my grandparents. I was saddened for that granddaughter when I heard the news.
Earlier this year Janet was hospitalized for several weeks due to a respiratory ailment that was induced by smoking. She returned to work and promptly began smoking again. She'd cough heartily on her way out to the courtyard with the rest of the smokers. I don't know the details of her final moments on Earth, but I hear that her lung collapsed. All I could do is shake
my head. Such an avoidable and untimely demise. *Sigh* It only reminded me of why I hate smoking so much. People, please let go of the cancer sticks. R.I.P. "Janet" Stokes d. October 29, 2005.
