This time of year is a time of joy, and a time of sadness for me.
Joy because of the little one enjoying the Christmas season.
Sadness for those that have been lost over the years.
As many of you know, I had a very dear friend here at the site.
After I had joined, I was kind of inspired to contact her and invite her to the site. A reference was made to The Old Goat on the mountain. I asked her if she would be interested in being this person, and maybe passing along some things about stopping smoking. I knew she had been a smoker and had quit some years earlier.
Little did I know how long ago she had thrown those death dealers away. I found out later though.
She didn't post a lot of blogs, but what she did post she hoped would make a difference in someone's quit journey. She did in mine, and I hope in some other people's.
My dear friend Joan passed away in her sleep sometime during the night. The date was December 24, 2015 when her daughter found her. Her family spread some of her ashes in numerous places across Virginia and West Virginia. I imagine that if I were able to visit there, I would be hearing her voice in the quiet of the mornings and evenings.
Her quit clock stopped at 7733 days. That was just over 21 years and 2 months of freedom from the addiction to nicotine. That has inspired me to remain smoke free for the remainder of my time on Earth Mother.
At one time, she posted a short history of her life in a blog here. it can be found here if you are interested in reading it....
/blogs/TheOldGoat-Joan-10-21-1994-blog/2015/08/30/my-story
I have found myself reading this many times. It always makes a great difference in my day by the time I have finished reading it.
Forgive me if I have placed a damper on anyone's joy with this. That was not my intent. I only wished to remember someone that tried to make a difference in other's lives. I know she was a shining light in my life. I hope she was in other's lives as well.
I miss you my dear friend......
RIP Joan
Larry
