Posted on April 27, 2020
For me, tomorrow is very personal. Thirty-five years ago, my loving husband, Alan, lifted my wedding veil over my eyes and embraced me forever. Unfortunately, forever came to an end too quickly.
Mesothelioma stole my best friend, and I desperately want him back. Gone forever are his smiles, his “I love you’s,” and the precious family time we would have had together. Memories of our love are eternally etched across my heart. But now, only the sounds of silence echo around me. Ironically, our anniversary and Workers’ Memorial Day share the same day. Alan had both occupational and environmental asbestos exposure, and he paid the ultimate price for his job: his life.
It has been 18 years since I heard the dreaded word – me·so·the·li·o·ma – which changed our lives forever. This preventable asbestos-caused cancer not only claimed Alan’s life, but shattered our family. Our infographic shows the staggering facts, “Asbestos: “Legal and Lethal in the USA.” Learn from our family and the the hundreds of thousands of others, for now, prevention is the only cure. As we embrace collective activism, fighting to pass the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2019 gives me comfort and hope that one day imports, use, and deaths will end.
For those of us who have lost a loved one to an asbestos related disease, this is an important time of remembrance. Join us tomorrow, April 28, 2020 for International Workers’ Memorial Day, as we light candles for all who have lost their lives from an occupational diseases and workplace accidents.
Alan, I will love you forever.
Linda