Two years ago, I wrote to the editor about having “hung up” the 40-plus-year-old cigarette smoking habit.
I simply did it the plain old “cold turkey” way.
On Feb. 22, 2010, on a Saturday night, I smoked my last Marlboro.
Several events caused me to use the cold turkey way.
My age, my four adult children who were nonsmokers, the price of cigarettes and, most of all, my loving wife of 55 years, who was also a smoker, and had passed away in February 2009.
To really allow me to let it sink in that now is the time for me to quit, I had two visitors that Saturday evening who were non-smokers.
My son-in-law and his golfing buddy friend who had come to Florida on a golfing event and stayed overnight.
After a dinner outing that Saturday evening and a return to our condo, I always would light up as I got out of the car.The women had gone into the condo, and the three men delayed our entry so I could stay out of doors to complete smoking.
Well, that is when it really hit me.
I was thinking to myself, “how thoughtless” of me, to be standing there smoking as my two visitors were getting the secondhand smoke.
When Sunday morning arrived, that is when I started the “cold turkey” thing.
I had an open package of cigarettes with two more full packs in the glove compartment of my truck.
That opened pack was thrown away the next day. The two full packages of cigarettes are now mounted on a plaque that I made, noting the date, place and time that I gave up the smoking habit.
Yes, I did gain a few extra pounds, but I have saved somewhere around $1,500, plus or minus a few bucks.
I have been able to taste food and drink so much better.
But the real end result of my many years of smoking is now I am being treated for bladder cancer.
So folks, think twice every time you light up.
Earl F. Shepherd,
Jacksonville
