For pretty much as long as I can remember, my mother neglected her physical well-being. My mother lived to be 74 years of age. While some might conclude that she lived a full life, that perhaps her choices didn't have negative repercussions, I assure you this is far from fact. You see, her lifestyle choices over the years resulted in a decreased ability to move and do things that she enjoyed. Lack of enjoyment gave way to depressions. She experienced a worsening of prior medical conditions and an ever increasing number of ailments including diabetes mellitus, which ultimately took her life, congestive heart failure, and early onset dementia. Her ever increasing weight reeked havoc on her joints causing constant pain. She was in her 40s when she was diagnosed with diabetes. Her health continued to decline leading to an increased number of doctor and emergency room visits. We all know how expensive that can be especially when you add in the cost of prescriptions. Yet her choices didn't change. She didn't get it. I didn't either at the time.   Ten years later, I was assisting her with household activities as her physical and cognitive abilities declined. At first it was once a week, then several times a week. Soon, my visits were daily and her last few years saw my visits increase to 2-3 times a day. What I discovered through all this is just how ‘normal’ this lifestyle had become. It was as though this is how a person is supposed to age. Well, it doesn't have to be that way.  While I regret not being able to help her more, I realize there are things in this life we can control and things we can't. Additionally, there are things we might be able control to some degree, so we should at least make the attempt. I know more now and always seek to learn more and I want to share that with the world. As I have  become more familiar with conditions like hers, I've learned just how much is preventable. Hint: nearly everything she was going through was preventable to some degree. For whatever reasons, she wasn't ready or willing.  My mother was a tough lady, she was old school. She instilled in me a sense of self-reliance and independence that helped me through many a tough time.  Even with her....shortcomings she taught me, she inspired me. She is missed.