Hi, Pat, Through all that pain and suffering you and your family have lived with for so many months you've always had the knowledge that life and living well is what is most important - and you are celebrating it in a way that your mother would have admired and been pleased about. Enjoy your holiday in the sun and surf... Patrick OXO [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/18/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 45 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,125 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $506.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 8 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50

Pat, Thank you so much for sharing. The day I began my quit we found out my mother in law is diagnosed with lung cancer, another member just posted her sister has cancer. I am glad your mother had 16 years smoke free.. and that through all this you have stayed strong in your quit. This is truly and inspiration for me. Of course my first thought when we received the news.. was so why bother quitting.. it is too late. My mother in law quit smoking over 20 years ago. After being on site.. and watching the days of life gained.. I am sure our loved ones.. had more time than if they had continued.. each day gained, is a day to enjoy and Love. Your mother is gone physically but lives on in you and the famiy the happy memories and laughter will forever be with you. Take time to gireve, and take time for yourself. hugs, BJ [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]2/10/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 22 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 374 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $58.91 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 55

I know I'm succeeding at living a happy life while choosing not to smoke every single day. Yet suddenly, this morning after my Mother passed away I was hit by the Mother of All Craves. I've never had cravings so strong. My entire body bent over double with the most intense desire I've ever encountered. It literally sucked the air from my lungs. My head pounded and my throat constricted. I wanted it so badly I could taste it. My mind screamed for release. Maybe it was grief from just loosing my Mother. Maybe it was just because I was tired. Maybe it was stress or lack of excercise or eating badly for a few days. Maybe it was caused by a couple family members who went for a smoke. Whatever it was that caused it, this crave came at me sideways. Do you know what I craved? Well believe it or not, it wasn't smoking. It was what any non smoker would crave at a time like this. I craved life. I craved love. I craved laughter. I craved fresh air, good food and healthy excercise. I craved a child's sweet smelling hug. I craved the ability to taste and smell the good things around me. I craved a run down the beach with the love of my life and our dog running through the surf. I craved the sun on my face, the wind in my hair and music in my ears. I craved what all non smokers always crave without thinking of it as anything but normal...I simply craved living my life. Sure beats craving a cancer stick don't you think? Hello to you my friends and to all the wonderful new quitters here. It's been some time since I've been able to visit or post on any kind of regular basis. As some of you know, my Mother, an ex-smoker and was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer on Halloween Day. It had already spread to her liver and lungs. Mom was 83, had come to terms with the diagnosis and thankfully she passed painlessly in her sleep. It was still hard to let her go, but I'm grateful to have been at her bedside for the past few months. Mom did not regret having smoked, instead she celebrated the freedom from addiction she'd enjoyed over the last 16 years of her life. I am blessed to have had this precious gift of time with Mom and my family. I must admit, I am sorry Mom is gone but it's comforting to know she's in a better place. The greiving process will be easier for me day by day and I'm going to spend a couple weeks in the sun, surf and sand. Life as a non smokier really is good. I'll never quit on kicking my addiction around. Please don't ever quit on kicking yours. :) Pat Knowledge is power [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/28/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 400 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 16,000 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $5,600.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 48 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 12 [B]Seconds:[/B] 47