This is a landmark day in this house. At the end of today, I will be quit one week. I can imagine looking back on it, in horror and in pride. Like having emerged from the looking glass. I’m just talking tobacco here! “Just.” Common little, handy little killing device. Self mutilation. Self destruction. The thought of going through this week again (because I would have to quit or die) is one perfect reason to stay quit. I’m not sure I would survive it again. The thought of it makes me
want to laugh, and dance, and sing… freedom! I will always be a nicotine addict. I will always have to consciously choose not to smoke. So, that’s all you want of me? I can do that. I know I can do that. One day, one minute, one urge at a time. With help.
All of you who are ahead of me – thank you. I hear you better now. When someone says “I quit ten years ago” or “I quit because of _____,” I now want to roll up my sleeve and show them my spotless arm. No tracks on me, either. And if there’s someone out there who is thinking about quitting or of coming back to their quit, just hear this and nothing more: you’ve got a great voice. Sing.
This is a landmark day in this house. My husband, who has been out of work for 10 months, starts a new job next Tuesday. Ah, man, he is so cool. And he’s so excited. I’d like him to come and blog to you himself, so you could meet him. But he doesn’t need to quit smoking – he’s never been a smoker. This is a second marriage for both of us, and we’ve been married 17 years. How did I get so lucky? By saying “I can do that.”
