Saturday night my Dear "Sweet Young Lady" LindaN fired up a cigarette and watched her quit go up in smoke! Damn this horrible addiction! Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!
Now the rest of the story!
A long time ago the Freedom Train became more work than I could keep up with! Maggie stepped up to help, and we both knew we needed more help! We recruited Marcie and LindaN! Maggie had to give up the Train for a variety of reasons! Marcie retired from the Train a while back! The senior conductoress was LindaN! I don't think anyone loved the Freedom Train more! A couple of weeks ago LindaN turned in her keys to the Train! It was a very sad day for me! In the past I have always blogged my thanks and appreciation to those who retire from this awesome service to our community! But, this time I did not! I refused to believe that she was really leaving! So, I held my tongue! I waited! That was a bad mistake!
So let me say here, LOUD and Clear: LindaN, I love you! I appreciate all you have done for me, and this great community! And, I am sorry that I waited too long to tell you that! You are the spine of so many quits here! And, you have often stiffened the backbone of my own quit! You have given so much of yourself! We all know it! I just waited too long to articulate it! I am so very sorry and I hope you will forgive me! I hope my lack of official gratitude did not contribute to your decision to smoke!
Please understand that I am not giving you an EXcuse or a pass for smoking! Whatever the reason, you made a bad choice! But that is behind you now! There is only the future in front of you! You know how to live a smoke free life! You have learned it, and you have taught it! Your keys to the Train will always be there for you! Take it for a run anytime you like! But if you choose to stay retired from the Train, I hope to see you ride everyday! Stay close to the place that your quit was born and raised! And, never doubt the love that we have for you!
Live Free my Sweet young Lady! Live Smoke Free, forevermore! XOXOXO Tommy
