A Milestone (sort of)

At my age, I have to put milestones close together to better the odds of making it to the next one! Anyway, under those rules last Friday was a milestone — three weeks without a cigarette! For a non-smoker, I’m sure this doesn’t sound much like a milestone. But I’ve smoked cigarettes for the better part of 60 years, sometimes up to 4 packs a dayl Four packs means there are very few moments in the day without a cigarette in my mouth.

About six months ago I tried to quit gradually, and for a while I was down to a little less than a half pack a day. Then my usage began to climb until the day I quit three weeks ago, I was up to a pack-and-a-half. Gradual wasn’t working, so I just quit.

The physical need is gone, but the habit is still with me. I often find myself absently fishing in my shirt pocket for a cigarette that isn’t there, or wishing for an after-dinner smoke. But then I get busy with something else, and I’m ok again.

I’ve had my last cigarette! (I hope, I hope, I hope)