The last Coke Zero I'd ever drink.
I grew up drinking Coca-Cola. It was my drink of choice in almost all situations. At a certain point, however, I started to become more health conscious and grew concerned about the "empty calories" and high sugar content of Coke. I began drinking Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi. I enjoyed both of them, but neither of them was quite what I wanted.
Then The Coca-Cola Company released Coke Zero. It was love at first sip, and it instantly became my drink of choice. I drank a lot of Coke Zero. Scary amounts.
And my mom didn't think that was a good idea. I don't remember if she ever told me that - she might have said it and I didn't think she was too serious about it. But while my wife and I were eating lunch with my dad, shortly after my mom had passed away, he told me he was going to take over for Mom in bugging me about drinking so much diet soda. I was surprised that my parents spoke about my diet pop habits, and I was sad to realize that my mom had been so concerned about me. It was too late to put her at ease, but I decided I would honor her wish.
So I finished my Diet Pepsi (restaurants so rarely have Coke Zero) for that meal, and have never drank a diet soda since that day. I don't remember when I drank my last Coke Zero. I didn't know it would be the last one I would drink at that time, just like I didn't know so many other things would be the last time I would do them with Mom. But such is life.
I still love Coke though, and for a special treat or when I really need some comforting, I'll enjoy Coke Life.
