6 Months Ago Yesterday: A Milestone in My Life

As you can see, I'm up early and blogging. Since I was unable to sleep due to another nasty cold (I actually saw the sun rise!), I decided to work on Christmas cards and blogging. There are now only 22 more shopping days until Christmas and I must mail cards and start wrapping so that I can determine what I still must buy.
Yesterday was another milestone for me in that I quit smoking exactly 6 months ago, on June 1. You may ask why I chose June 1 to quit. Well, I used to smoke as a college student and a young adult, until June 1, 1969, when I decided I had had enough after being at a party where we were smoking one cigarette after another (I have never smoked anything other than a regular cigarette). At that time, I had been married 2 years, had no plans to become a mother, but God did have plans for me. On October 2, 1970, I gave birth to a handsome little boy, and November 4, 1972, a beautiful little girl joined our family. I never smoked again until 1981, and I regret that I ever picked up the old habit again.
I am so thankful that I was able to just lay the habit aside without any aid other than my prayers and the prayers and well-wishes from friends. Why did I start smoking again? My excuse was this: while teaching in college, I would have to sit in small rooms filled with smoke from all the other professors. After months of this, I finally asked for a cigarette and had been enjoying them ever since. I use the word, enjoy, because that is exactly right! Although it is a nasty, smelly habit, it satisfies one's hunger, calms jittery nerves, and revives a tired brain and body (at least it did for me). Now, I stay hungry but I'm no longer nervous wanting a smoke even though I will probably always want one (I refuse). My late dad, who quit smoking in his 40's, told me when he was 90 years young, "I could still eat one!" Another friend in her 80's said that if she was ever told that she had a short while to live, she would ask for a carton of Winston's! I will try not to become as many reformed smokers and nag those who continue to smoke. I will say that if you are a smoker and you want to quit, it must be a strong internal desire: I believe this is the only way you can be successful.
Now, if I can just get past these repercussions of an old habit, I will be one happy lady!