My kids are ages 8 and 11. The eldest is more cognizant of the dangers of my smoking. In one sense I feel guilty that I am completely attributing my power to try to quit smoking at this time to my sense of obligation to them (to not actively contribute to my possible dying through a terminal illness secondary to cigarettes, to not model to them that it would be OK for them to take this smoking monkey on their back). I feel bad about doing this, but I also feel that at least it is a life saver ring - something to grab on to. My brain has foresaken me by convincing me that I can not believe any other reason to quit smoking. I believe all the dangers and benefits, but can't find myself to care. So I will cling to doing this for my kids in the expectation that in doing so, and quiting along the way, that everything else will fall in place.

I understand , matia, in my case, my momo has been nagging me to give up for years, but i wasn't ready to. Anyway, it is a great post. thank you lynnexx [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/24/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 14 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 221 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �56 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 54 [B]Seconds:[/B] 4

Congratulations on giving your daughter the best gift ever! Windy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/11/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 57 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,158 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $285 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33

Dear Friends, Today my daughter turned 21 years of age and it really hit home when she said, "The greatest birthday present that you gave me was the fact that you have stopped smoking and are keeping your quit, and I'm real proud of you". It makes me wonder how I didn't see it sooner, the anger my children would feel if I died from a smoking related illness and my selfshiness robbed them of their mother seeing them graduate from college, getting married, having children of their own, being there when they needed me. And if you asked me, I would say, I would never hurt my children, NOT me... but I did. Even smoking around them at times... telling them I don't know how to quit when they asked me to... Smoking all these years without a second thought.. Until now.....Keep The Quit... Maria [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/6/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 62 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,381 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $248 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 42

Dear imallclear, You are doing the right thing even if you don't feel the reward yet, that's the everything falling into place part. You just realized your love for your children is greater than your love for the smokes....and that's why you stopped. Maria [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/6/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 63 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,404 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $252 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 50 [B]Seconds:[/B] 52

This reminds me of a few weeks back when I had my 2 grandaughters in the car. The younger one(7) said how long have you stopped smoking for Grandad? the elder one(11) said dont be silly its 11 weeks today(and she was right) Phil [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/9/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 91 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,824 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �477.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 18 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 51

Agonized over the guilt feelings myself for quite awhile. Good to recognise and acknowledge it, but best not to dwell on it. What is done is done. NOW you are quit and there are a whole lot of fans out there that are proud of you! You're a winner and a hero in your children's eyes :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 60 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,040 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $480 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 9 [B]Seconds:[/B] 39

Beautiful post Maria. Thank you. Fondly, Free [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 181 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,441 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $724 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 15 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 56