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Share your quitting journey

I choose to live and not to smoke. Here's to you, Dad... (better late than never)

ljguptill
Member
0 8 100

(I had written this in a response to my previous post, but decided to share it as a new blog post also)

 It is hard during a craving to remember all the reasons why I want and need to quit, but when I remind myself of those very real fears, the awful smokers hangover in your mouth and throat and chest, the stench in the car, the fear of disease, there is no joy in that. My father died at 57 years old from heart disease. He had open heart surgery at age 47. My grandfather had his voicebox removed from cancer of the larynx. I was still a kid then... but I remember how he would cough, he couldn't catch his breath. I never really realized all his health issues when I was a kid. I should know better. And now I do, so now I will make better choices. I choose to live and not to smoke. 

8 Comments
rosemary12
Member
I can relate to how you feel about your Dad, I am so sorry for your loss. I also lost my Dad to a heart attack, he had quit smoking many years before. He always told me not to be a prisoner to cigarettes. This is my third time to quit this horrible addiction and on day 21, and his advise is always in my thoughts. Let's toast to our Dad's. May they still give us direction, to conquer this! Blessings - Rosemary
ljguptill
Member

Thanks Rosemary! To our Dads!

I was 21 when Dad died. I am now 51. His wish for me was that I quit smoking before I found myself in his shoes, too late to do anything about it. Watching your life slip away. I quit right away back then.... I don't even remember when I started again, or why. As that has been a recurring theme in my life. I once quit for 10 years and led smoking cessation classes at my place of employment. Ironic. But I guess what that shows me is that you can never let your guard down or feel beyond the tempation... it can sneak in and make you think you can have "just one". Except we can't, or we will wake the monster.

Congratulations on your Day 21! That is wonderful, and our Dad's would be so proud. xoxo

rosemary12
Member

Ditto to that. I will be talking with you soon and hang in there. 

joyeuxencore
Member

Hey there!

Well my Dad went to the angels in 2001 from smoking related illness...I was not smoking for years at that time and and three years later did the 'just one' mistake...He would not have believed I would smoke again as I gave him SUCH a hard time and was a militant non-smoker...well...addiction makes the rules when you let it make your choice for you.

WE, however, are making the choice to be free NOW and now is all we've got friends! Our dads would be very proud! I am celebrating one year quit on Tuesday...xo

joyeuxencore
Member

ljguptill
Member

Beautiful picture and beautiful words... thank you. Yes our Dad's would all be proud and our biggest supporters.

Congratulations on your ONE YEAR on Tuesday! Good for YOU! Yehaaaaaaa! xo

renee95
Member

Congratulations on your 21days. This touched my heart as well. I lost my dad to a massive heart attack as well. Thank you for sharing your story.

Thomas3.20.2010
Da&@, I hate tobacco!
About the Author
I am an Artisan Jeweler, work from home, and it is my full time job. I love dogs, have 3, and like to walk and I used to be a runner... Maybe someday soon, I will have the energy to resume my workouts!