A not so gentle slap in the face

An early mark from work, thunderstorms, torrential rain, laying in bed watching movies with my amazing boyfriend...what could be better! Then the phone rings...it's my mother telling me my brother has just suffered a stroke, he is 5 years older than me. Well needless to say I was a bit of a mess. Living 2000kms away doesn't help either! 

Our father passed away 7 years ago (stroke) and I have made several attempts since then to give up these wretched things. Often I would think - well Dad was old and he had a rough life, I'll make sure I give up before I get that sick! Stupid!

When I got the call about my brother I thought, holy crap he is only 5 years older than me, my body is ready to give in because of all the years of smoking. I had just bought a packet of 40's I immediately walked out to the bin and tore each and every one of those things up and threw them away. I haven't had one since.

Previous attempts I used patches and gum etc etc This time nothing! and it's working! I think the realisation that I WILL get sick and more than likely DIE if i don't give these things away finally sunk in wherever it hadn't been able to before. 

Thankfully my brother is okay and now we share more than parents - the day we both stopped smoking.