Friday, August 17, 2018

The Last Cigarette

   There are not many dates that I remember. If birthdays aren’t written on the calendar, I forget. For years I called my brother the day after his birthday! I remember our anniversary but often have to count the years. (It’s 36) I don’t remember the anniversary of deaths or operations that I’ve had (10) and if you ask me what year something happened, I will probably be off by a decade. There is one day that I never forget to celebrate and that is today, August 17. Why you ask?
   On this date four years ago, I smoked my very last cigarette. I took a photo of it to remind me that nothing that small will ever have power over me again. After smoking over 40 years, it was not easy but it is the best thing I’ve ever done for my health.
   For me, it started as a teenager, maybe 14 years old. Stupid, huh? Back in the 70’s, lots of people smoked. There was not the stigma that is present in today’s society. You could smoke anywhere. Airplanes, buses, stores, restaurants, and the office place were often so filled with smoke it was hard to see across the aisle.
   As a country, we have not done enough to combat a lot of our problems but the battle against tobacco has been a success. I think a lot of people have quit smoking because the price has gone through the roof. According to Fair Reporters, the cost for a pack of cigarettes ranges from $5.25 in Missouri to $12.85 in New York. A pack per day smoker is spending some serious cash on a habit that is more than likely going to contribute to their own death. I know that’s harsh, but it is also true.
   I think the biggest difference that I have noticed over the past four years is the smell of people smoking. When I was a smoker, the smell used to trigger my desire to light up. The smell now makes me nauseous. I loved smoking but regret every single one of them now. Hopefully, I quit in time to give my body a chance to heal itself. If you are a smoker, talk to your doctor about quitting. It can never be too soon, but it can be too late.  
   Please share this post with a smoker you love.
Here are others you might also enjoy:
Resources:
https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/what-happens-body-quit-smoking#1
No smoking Icons
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23 comments :

  1. I wish I had such a photo like you what reminds me of the BS I started once (one year older than you) but I try and I reduced it and we smoke only outside... maybe a cold winter can be helpful to stay inside instead to turn blue like a smurf with cold outside... just for a darned cigarette...

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  2. Concatulations ! We're so proud of you ! Purrs

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  3. Congratulations, Miss Melissa! That is one huge accomplishment!

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  4. Congratulations to you. Mom was allergic to smoke growing up, so she never even thought of starting thankfully. Good for you quitting, and with the pups and grandkids (almost two of them now) it is really a good thing.

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  5. I have no idea of the day I quit. I think I spread it over a week or more of tapering off.

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  6. Good for You! Ghostwriter remembers back in 1981 when got her first nursing job, all the other nurses smoked. The report room was always full of smoke. 37 years later, she is still surprised at how many nurses still smoke! You'd think they know better! (Oh, and she is the same way with remembering dates. Haha.)

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  7. Clapping wildly and singing praises to you for quitting!!!
    I rarely check out books from the library because they smelled like smoke. I know folks there think I'm crazy sniffing the pages and books.
    Hugs Madi and mom

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  8. Congratulations! It's not an easy addiction to give up so you deserve loads of kudos! 🏆

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  9. Congrats to you on that MAJOR accomplishment. Mom was never a smoker but some of her family was. She knows how difficult it is to quit. Bravo, well done, and yes, the smell can really get to you.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  10. Good for you! Here's to making it through another year.

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  11. Congratulations! Smartest decision ever! Mom and I know way too many people who are sick from smoking. And they are the lucky ones. The others are not around anymore....

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

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  12. Congratulations! I am glad you stopped. I lost my Dad in 2001 from COPD from smoking.

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  13. Melissa, this is an awesome post. Congratulations on four years not smoking! So proud of you, and happy for you! :)

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  14. WoooHoooo! Ma used to smoke too way back when, and the best way to stop is to have a plan. It wasn't as hard as she thought, butts it's not that way for everyone. Ma does not miss the smell or the cost or the planning to not run out of cigs! BOL! I thinks this calls for a pitcher of margaritas!! what? ☺
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  15. A wonderful day to celebrate!!
    hugs
    Hazel & Mabel

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  16. So proud of you!!!! That is a awesome that your doing so well.

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  17. I'm so happy for you that you've given up an expensive, unclean, unhealthy habit and made a choice that will help you stick around even longer to be with your beautiful Granddaughter, and Skipper & the dogs of course! Be Loud & Proud Melissa! My sister quit when she had breast cancer, but years later after losing her husband she started again. She now spends tons of $$ she can't afford on cigarettes and is destroying her health. It kills me that she just won't stop but I keep trying.
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  18. Congratulations on this anniversary! You were so smart to take a picture! I quit sometime in the fall of 2011, but I don't know the exact date. Wish I did. Like you I used to love to smoke, but now I don't miss it at all and the smell truly grosses me out. One thing I noticed were a few friend changes. I had a few friends who were smokers. Months after I quit, and also had some life changing schedule-type events, I saw them less and less. Eventually they faded off the friend radar, which made me a little sad at the time. Now I feel so much healthier that I don't focus on any of those life changes as negatives. I certainly hope you celebrated this achievement with something special for you! You deserve it! Many people don't understand what hard work goes into quitting.

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  19. My hubby went through that battle, about 25 years ago, and I still remember what a tough battle it was for him (he quit drinking too, and he always says the smoking was harder)! You deserve to be very proud of yourself. ♥

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  20. Congratulations ! Such a huge accomplishment!

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  21. I am sooo sooo proud of you for quitting! You are awesome!

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  22. Sending you huge congrats and hugs from me, Bella and of course, my Parental Unit!

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