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Share your quitting journey

Coming Home

AnnetteMM
Member
7 14 80

I had an hour before my flight so I scoured the stacks of magazines, finally settling on the Oprah one because of the headline:  What are You Longing to do?  It made me smile because I already knew the answer, as if I'd asked it to myself over a week ago.  I was longing to be completely present with my family, to hold a newborn and smell his soft skin, to listen and be engaged with my daughter with my whole mind, and to let go of all shame and apology.

 I was completely present in Boston as never before. There was no wishing to escape outside, no part of my brain wanted to be somewhere else to smoke. I held and cuddled my newborn grandson (and on occasion when he let me, the 4 year old) and breathed in deeply the satisfaction of the connection. I sat and talked with my Rachel as never before, with no anxiety or internal pressures. I was at peace.

On that flight home I read the stories of other women who did what they longed to do, and they were interesting but not compelling for me. I have come to a place where I'm just fine. And when I walked into my apartment, saw all the things I love, I breathed in the air of home.

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About the Author
I became nicotine-free on Christmas Day 2017. That's what I use as my quit date. I had smoked cigarettes for 45 years, then vaped Juuls for a few months before quitting cold turkey when I used up my supply of pods. I am a retired widow, living in Upstate NY.