I haven't been in the community over the past two days, but I had the two most wonderful reasons. Saturday my middle daughter competed in the Special Olympics and took home a gold medal and a silver medal in swimming. She was amazing. Then no sooner had we left that event when we were heading up to Connecticut to attend our youngest daughter's graduation from the University of Hartford. She was amazing as well. This was a challenging weekend, but not without it's rewards. There were times in both places that I thought about smoking, but I did not do it. I was a little crabby at times, but all it took to turn it around was to let my family know I was encountering a speed bump. They were very supportive. The big challenge came when we left the University and headed to Foxwood's Casino to stay overnight. Our daughter had requested this as a part graduation present. Well, you can imagine the fear I was facing. I knew there was a smoke free casino, so I went directly there. Unfortunately, you can still smell the smoke from other areas. I felt a little agitated, but overall I did okay. My husband, son, and daughters told me they were proud of me and said it must have been difficult. Just hearing them empathize was great and I was able to go back to the hotel room and unwind. This morning before we were leaving to come home I started getting unsettled again. I was cursing to myself that I did not want to have to think about smoking anymore and why do I have to have memories. In the middle of my rhetorical inner dialogue a woman came outside and said "Oh how beautiful it is out. Good morning." In that moment the greatest reward presented itself. No I did not win on the slots (my graduate did actually win $200 on a penny slot). Rather, I received a moment's grace. I wished this woman a good morning and agreed with her about the abundant sunshine. I didn't think about smoking at all for the rest of the day. Life has wonderful rewards that come from challenges. To all a happy night 
