So today I celebrate being six years smoke free. I think about the past six years, remembering all the wonderful people here who helped me quit. We were all in it together. We all had different reasons for quitting. Some of us quit on our first try while others took a few detours. Some of us quit cold turkey while other used patches, gum, and other aids to help. Some posted daily while other posted only in time of need. But at the end of the day, we remained smoke free. Because we all had one goal. And friendships were made. We laughed together, we cried together. We made new friends every week, and unfortunately we lost a few friends due to side effects of smoking. But we hung in together. Some still struggle to this day, but we're all in it together!
My reward each year is a trip to Europe. I've been fortunate to meet so many quit buddies in person while in London, and I'm looking forward to meeting up with a bunch of them again this year. We see each other once a year, yet we pick up right were we left off the last time we were together. All because we quit smoking.
My work requires me to travel almost every week, and I've met up with a few people here in the US too. I finally got to meet one of my favorite quit buddies twice in the past month since my work took me to her city. We have a lot in common, so what started as quit buddies turned into a six year friendship. It seemed like we had been friends forever, but it was through our postings here at SSC that we connected. Supporting each other. All because we worked together to quit smoking.
Besides all the cigarettes I haven't smoked (over 87,600), the $21,910.00 I haven't spent on smokes, and the 362 days of life I've gained, I've gained so much more. My health. TV screens and windows that aren't covered in black yuck. Food that tastes good. Being able to smell nature. And most importantly, long lasting friendships across the world!
Thanks to everybody who has helped me over the past 6 smoke free trips around the sun! Wishing everybody here at SSC a successful quit!
