Karen's One Year Smoke Free Milestone

To paraphrase an old cigarette commercial:

I’ve come a long way, baby!

And what a trip it has been. I’ve had ups and downs, triumphs and disappointments, good times and bad times. I’ve made some new friendships; I’ve lost some old ones. I’ve been deliriously happy, and extraordinarily sad. This incredible journey has been many things, but one thing it has never been is dull...no, my friends, never, ever dull. It has been a glorious adventure, in one form or another, from day one.

Before I began this significant voyage twelve months ago, I never would have believed I could attain my ultimate goal. You see, sacrifice and patience have never been my strong suits and as anyone here can tell you, these attributes play a huge part in achieving a successful quit. I feel that I have learned a lot about both of those virtues by becoming a part of this wonderful forumily.

I had no clue about where to start when I set out on this complex but rewarding adventure. I had been down this quit road before, without any success. I had watched people I loved die from smoking-related disease and still I puffed away on my precious Marlboros.

My cigarettes and I had an unspoken love affair going...they reassured me when I was nervous or uncertain; they calmed me when I was lonely or scared. They kept me company when I was bored; they shared coffee with me in the morning and stood by me during countless telephone conversations with friends and family. They were there during the untold hours that I spent creating graphics on my computer or just chatting with online friends. No matter what the situation, no matter where the locale, my Marlboros were always there. I could always count on them. They never let me down.

However, as time wore on, they did begin to disappoint me. The thrill of that first puff wasn’t quite what it once was. The taste was becoming more bitter than sweet. The effort to smoke became more and more pronounced as my breathing became more and more difficult. The romance was starting to wear off.

They say we are never able to truly give something up until it has become entirely our own idea. We can’t do it for someone else. We can’t do it because someone else told us we should. We are only able to do it when we have finally decided that we think it’s best. I made the decision for myself that it was time to say farewell to my "forever friends". And I also decided that this time I was going to make it stick.

I did my homework. I read until my eyes were bleary. I went out and bought myself a two week supply of the first step patch. I did searches for help in quitting smoking. And one of those searches yielded gold. It brought me to this forum.

From my very first day here I could feel the magic this forum holds. Even though I don’t spend as much time here as I once did, I still sing the praises of this place to all who express a wish to quit smoking because I honestly believe if it hadn’t been for this forum and the many angels who dwell here, as much as I wanted this quit to stick I would have fallen by the wayside once again. But I didn’t. And for that, I express my most heart felt thanks to all who have helped me along in this most difficult journey.

I still remember how exciting my first dot was. It was kind of like getting a brand new toy, only this toy was extremely hard earned and supremely valued. Then I got another dot, and another...I was doing it. I was actually doing it! I wish to take a moment to thank Luisa for the idea of the dots. It is definitely an incentive, and I know it had a great deal to do with my getting that first month under my belt.

As the dots began piling up, I found myself daring to think that maybe, just maybe, I could actually attain a star. A bright and shiny bauble that stated unequivocally that I had been smoky free for an entire month! Well, I got that first star, and then another and another until there were eleven of those beauties lined up. A wonderful, star-studded statement that I had managed to keep the NicoDemon at bay for nearly an entire year. Unbelievable!

I’ve finally made it to the 7% Club; one year smoke free. This club is made up of some very special citizens, each one a testament to the power of their will to make their lives healthier, happier and more productive. I am truly honored and humbled to be in their company. A finer group of people I could never hope to encounter. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of joining your ranks.

And now it is time to celebrate...to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next. So fire up the barbecue, put the shrimp on to boil, steam the lobsters, chill the champagne and warn the oil boys... The Dragon Lady is IN the building!