Nine Years...

Nine years ago today, I smoked my last cigarette. In the cabinet over my refrigerator, there's an unopened pack of Marlboro Lights, the brand I smoked before I quit. I left one pack in the cabinet so that I would be reminded that I quit on purpose, of my own volition, as opposed to "because I was out" or "I smoked 'em all" or anything like that. I had to prove that I was stronger than the nicotine.

Even today, nearly a decade later, I still have "The Dream" from time to time (those of you non-smokers, ask a quitter sometime. The smokers know "The Dream"). I still find myself in situations where I reach for the lighter I haven't carried in nine years; I still find myself thinking "I should go out for a smoke" some days...

Then I look at the $8/pack or $65/carton price and thank Gaia I quit...

That is all.