Today makes 3 full years of living free. I am so grateful to Joel, John, and so many others, both newbies and oldbies who have helped me make my way on this journey to freedom. I am over joyed to be a member of this wonderful group of people.
3 years ago at this time I was feeling pretty shaky. I was just starting to go through withdrawal and was so afraid. I was afraid I couldn't do this. Every one here said it was doable so I took their word for it and started out with those Baby steps. One day became two, then three, and now, one day at a time, those days have added up to three years. Now I understand the post Three years vs. three days . O Bob was right, I have found comfort. Glorious, comfortable, freedom. At first I thought I was "giving up" something. Now I realize in reality, I was becoming "free of" the strangle hold that nicotine had on me.
I have some friends that are trying to quit right now. I remember so well how those first days were. I have told them about whyquit.com and Freedom From Nicotine. I hope that they will read here and find the freedom and joy that I have found. I see others smoke and I am so grateful it is not me. I don't miss the smell, the filth, the cost, the coughing, the "nic fits" at regular intervals. I don't miss my back and ribs hurting all the time from coughing so hard that I would gag. No, the first days were not always easy. They were simple though. I simply remembered to NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF! It was only one puff I wouldn't take, and one day I wouldn't take it. It is exactly what I do today.
Thank you all for all the love and support for these three years.
Kathy - I have been quit for 3 Years, 9 hours, 2 minutes and 35 seconds (1,096 days). I have saved $5,152.96 by not smoking 43,855 cigarettes. I have saved 4 Months, 4 Weeks, 2 Days, 6 hours and 35 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 3/28/2006 6:00 AM

