Yesterday was my birthday. Which was supposed to have been my quit date 6 years ago but I made the quit date two days later. On the 24th I was still huffing and puffing on my last cigs. Looking at them with every puff thinking how really stupid it felt to smoke. Image sucking on some dried up leaves, dipped in toxins, wrapped in pretty white paper to burn and inhale. Not smart huh? Addiction at its best. The true picture of stupid for me. I finally had had enough. Which was why it was my desire to put them down and never pick them up again. I did 1/25/15. To celebrate my birthday I was offered an all day EXcursion to the thrift stores. I love thrift stores, yard sales, flea markets, vintage and antique shops. What could have been any better than to browse, even if I did not buy anything. My friend sponsored to buy anything that I wanted. Though it is hard for me to accept gifts, I allowed this to a certain degree.
The first store we went to was happenstance because I had missed the turn off exit of the interstate because I was ....talking. 
My first gifts I selected were a knit cap and a very pretty picture frame. Total cost $1. As we waited in line It hit me. I started to dance. Yes, right in the store. It was my birthday, Yay me! Whoo Hoo. Yes! all of that. Of course I attracted attention and cheers along with happy birthday wishes. It was my birthday and I was happy!. A couple whom I had previously admired for their attentiveness to each other spoke to my friend and say she wants you to dance with her. I replied all I have to do is ask him and he will dance. His response... singing "all night long". In a deep voice. We all got a good laugh. Exiting the store I was fueled with the EXcitement of my birthday and the 1$ deal relishing in the compliments of me being such a vibrant 71 year old chickadee. It was funny one woman. EXclaimed look at you! 71 here I am 41 on a cane. She laughed. Those who know me understand...If I am happy you know it. If not...you know that too with almost the same passion. lol (clearing my throat again) Lord if I have offended anyone please forgive me.
Anyway"s" yes and with an s, 24 hours later...20 odd miles away...in a different store...Wally World. Da Da Dum! Who do I see! Yes, that same couple! Who woulda thought? I said hello and reminded them who I was. We EXchanged info about where we lived and the churches we attended. The online references to churches ya da yada and not be able to sit in church for a long time with a mask on. There services where loooong from what I could gather. lol. uh huh Okay The gentleman at the time had his nose uncovered says he has a hard time breathing with a mask on. He said probably because he "smokes". Oh Bingo! that was my opening cue. I did not have an BecomeaneX card but told him about the site and acknowledged my 6 year success. We talked for a few minutes about him quitting. He said there must have been a reason that we saw each other again. We bumped elbows and hoped to see each other again. I recited the site several times so that he could remember. I am sure his wife will remember it. lol. He said he was computer savvy. Hopefully he will come or I will see him/them some where again but the next time I will have an EX business card. It's in the stars for him to quit he said. It must be his time he said. He said he had done it before. It must have been a reason we met again, 24 hrs .,20 miles apart. Church? EX? or both. Ironic.
End of story.
