A Birthday Present

In June of 1998, I had just made several major changes in my life.  I had retired, divorced the year prior, and moved three hundred miles from my home town.  With all these changes in my life I was still "sick and tired of being sick and tired".  Cigarettes were taking their toll on my health after smoking for over twenty years of at least a pack a day.  The addiction to them caused me several yearly trips to the doctor for bronchitis, smokers cough, and overall poor health.  I wll never forget those mornings trying to gag a smoke down along with my morning coffee to get me "going for the day".  I grew up in a generation where the harm from smoking was not known and smoking was "cool". 

On my 40th birthday, in July of 1998, I had made my mind up I was really going to do something for myself.  I was going to quit smoking.  I was pretty sure I could do it this time, eventhough this was at least my tenth attempt.  I really was "sick and tired" of it.  I had used gum, toothpicks, cold turkey, and "will" before but was unsuccessful.  So, three days after my 40th birthday, I was suffering with the nicotine withdrawal pretty bad.  I went to the local grocery store and bought the nicotine patch.  When I got home and put the patch on, I received a "rush" just like that first cigarette gives you.  After that it was smooth sailing.   I eventually weined myself off the patch and have been cigarette free for over 9 years, in July I'll celebrate my tenth anniversary. 

 I was also participating in AlAnon, a 12 step group for families of Alcoholics, which helped me to understand alot about me and what made me think and do the things I did, when I decided to quit cigarettes.  I believe with the patch and support of this group, I was able to overcome this addiction and remain tobacco free.  Was it easy?  No way, it was the hardest thing I've ever had to overcome.  Was it worth it?  I can breath, taste and smell again, and I'm a healthy too!  How do you place a worth on a life?    Happy Birthday to me again, and again and again.....for the rest of my life!