Jef . . . I'm on my way to being a "quitter," and I also need much support. We both NEED to do this to live healthier, more active lives. Heck, who are we kidding . . . we're really not living right now at all! We're surviving from day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute on an addiction that is controlling us. I look back on my life, which hasn't been the best but certainly hasn't been the worst either. I've faced many fears, met many challenges, and succeeded on many different levels. Still, these little cigarettes are now controlling ME! I'm lost without them? Good grief. I can relate to your depression. I KNOW it hurts. I've been through a painful divorce, had my son choose to live with his father for awhile (he's back with me now, because he wants to be . . . and that's a true blessing), watched my fiance die in my arms from an overdose of prescription medication (2002 . . . he was a promising attorney with a heart so generous I feel I'll never find anyone to compare), taken care of my mother through painful cancer treatments last year, and watched my father's health decline as well. I can count my true friends on one hand (minus several fingers). Still, I'm blessed. I didn't always feel this way, Jef. I struggled and suffered in pain. But I see a bit more clearly now that I'm alive. Dark days will always be around. I'm sure you have many of these, and I know your health issues must influence your moods considerably. Maybe we can develop a way of viewing this quitting process . . . together . . . in order to WIN. I sometimes think (quite often, actually) that I turn my back on my blessings (spit at them, really) by smoking. I take my strengths and weaken them by smoking. I take my life and reduce it to a meaningless state by smoking. I know this sounds melodramatic, but I really feel that strongly about what I've done to myself with cigarettes. We're all blessed to wake up in the morning. You are, too. Let's do this!!! Let's open our hearts and let the "good stuff" come in! :-) I'm here daily now, and my quit day is tomorrow. I'm here to help and, as you can see, so are SO many others!!! You're not alone. :-)
Kendall
