Kicking a Habit

As I look back on the past year, I can’t help to recall all the things that have changed. Aside from the love sector of my life, the biggest and by far the healthiest change I made is that I quit smoking. It has been one year that I’ve been off them.  I do admit to stealing a drag or two if I so happen to be having drinks with a friend of mine who smokes. Though that isn't often at all.  My love affair with cigarettes started at the very early age of 13.  YIKES! I know. Oh, the pure ignorant bliss a 13 year old.  

It first started at a slumber party. A girl stole a couple from her parents and brought them. After several attempts at working the lighter and many raw thumbs later someone had the idea to strike a match. SUCCESS! There we were six girls huddled in a circle passing our first cigarette. We coughed, one girl vomited. It was the coolest thing we had ever done!

 After years of smoking because it’s “cool”, I actually was addicted. I attempted to quit a few dozen times and each time failing.  Eventually, I came to terms that I would always be a smoker. It was too hard to quit!  THEN – it was the look from my niece on a hot summer afternoon day that got me to quit.

July 2010 my oldest sister and her family came to the city for a fun-filled day with yours truly! We went to the Taste of Chicago and check out Millennium Park. There is an area in Millennium Park that is the urban version of a water play area. It is two giant blocks that constantly have water pouring out. My nieces got into their bathing suits and took in the water.   I hadn’t had a smoke all day. (I always made it a point to never smoke in front of any of the little ones in my family.)  As my niece’s splashed their hearts out and were safely in the care of their parents; I seized this perfect opportunity to have a smoke. I snuck off to the side and took in the cancerous sweetness.  Oh kids are crafty! I caught out of the corner of my eye my oldest niece staring me down. He eyes and face screamed of disappointment. She didn’t exactly seem to understand all the health risk associated with smoking, but at 5 years old she knew it was not good and her "Aunt Errie" was doing it!  

I felt terrible. I immediately put my cigarette. The next day I called my doctor and got a prescription for Chantix. Three weeks later I was a non-smoker. All because of her!  When she is older I will tell her that story. I want it to make her feel good. She gave me the power and will to kick that nasty-awful – MURDEROUS habit.  

Thanks, lovebug for being my +1 and giving me the strength I needed.