My SSC friends, None of us are exempt from having to deal with unexpected, stressful or life changing situations popping up at any time during our quits. I�ve been one of the fortunate ones that have found ways to cope without slipping, relapsing or falling into a major depression despite a series of life changing news and events. How have I done it? Honestly, some of it�s been dumb luck but I think being positive, gaining knowledge of my addiction and the determined oath I made to myself to never smoke again are the biggest factors in keeping my quit. I�m going to share some of the personal stuff I�ve gone through in the past 20 weeks in the hope it will help someone who�s struggling to get through a crisis or hard spot. On day 3 of my quit, right out of the blue I learned my soul mate sister has Parkinson�s disease. No surprise, my first reaction was to smoke. The craving was fairly mild, the thought was not...it slammed into me and almost threw me to the floor. I remember getting off the phone with my other sibling, breathing deeply and thinking that since my sister was handing this horrible news as a non-smoker, the least I could do was stay smoke free. I did not have the emotional strength to call her, but instead of smoking, I wrote a really long, horribly unrelated and sappy email to my quit buddies. (I can�t say enough good about having quit buddies...thanks to all my quit buddies!!!) In that email I wrote, �I cannot change my sister's situation, but I can support and love her. She will be proud of me for quitting. Quitting smoking has made me reflect on all the years I've not been in control of my life and all the moments I've lost. I'm taking back what's rightfully mine, my freedom. My sister will face her disease with bravery and use her loving family for strength.� When I finally did pick up the phone a couple days later, my sister was indeed facing her disease with bravery, she was overjoyed to hear from me, that I�d quit smoking, encouraged me to stay quit and is still cheering me on in my quit and in my new life. On day 5 of my quit, again right out of the blue I found out my oldest, estranged brother has inoperable damage to the arteries in his heart. He is going to suffer with this narrowing and is going to die sooner rather than later despite surviving several heart attacks, angioplasties, failed stents, successful quadruple bypass, pacemaker and multiple daily medications. The good news is that he�s finally quit smoking at 64 and though we are not close, we are no longer estranged. We have wished each other well, he hopes he will stay quit and is surprised that I am happy and positive to not be smoking. Smoking has not helped him deal with his medical problems, it�s caused most of them...here was my first hard but good incentive to NOT light up. On day 24 of my quit I gathered up my courage and followed through on my long overdue desire to move forward in my personal life. My life was not a bad life at all, it was just ruled by addictions. I thought quitting smoking was something I had to do in order to make a plan to live in freedom. In reality, quitting smoking gave me the freedom and confidence to just live. I am at peace with myself and I know I have made the right decisions no matter how difficult it's been to make the changes needed. I�ve started a full time job, moved into my own place and now live without any addictions altering my perceptions, my emotions or my life. The new me is emerging every day. I�m proud to have set an example for my children and others that addiction need not be part of life. Sure I have lots of other things to deal with but these pale in comparison with the joy I feel in living life on my terms. Quitting smoking has empowered me to live fully again. I know most people don�t encounter all the challenges and changes I�ve gone through in 20 short weeks. I�m nobody special here, just another addict coming to grips with my life. I�ve found my way back to a full life without smoking and so can you. Be positive, refuse to give up on quitting, be proactive and your freedom will come. I�m going to take a break from SSC for a while to concentrate on where I want my life to go from here. I have much to do...my freedom is calling loud and clear...I�m off to the beach and beyond! Keep in touch my friends. Magic (((huggs))) Pat :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/28/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 141 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,640 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,974.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 16 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40