![]() Geoff has given me permission to announce his “31st wedding anniversary” gift to me for all our family, friends and my readers to see. I’ve chosen to write him a letter here, that you are all invited to read as well. I am hoping Miss Sammie (as Geoff lovingly called Mom) and Dr. Gulderen Bora (our work Momma) can read this together in Heaven. Oh Geoffrey, You went to the doctor’s on August 13th. I was beyond relieved as I had been watching how hard it was for you to catch your breath, especially as you were lighting up another cigarette. You have smoked for close to 50 years. I have always hoped that you would stop. I know in our early years together I nagged you / tried to guilt you into quitting with zero success. Then I joined you in smoking (look away, dear readers) for about two years in the 1990s. I was fortunate enough to have stopped, cold turkey. One day I decided I was done. Over the years, I realized that only we have the power to change ourselves, for better or worse. I angered a few friends, especially Dr. Bora, because I didn’t insist that you stop smoking. It was suggested that I take your cigarettes and throw them away. Mom never nagged, but I knew she was ever hopeful. I was shocked when you came home on the 13th and announced that you were starting Chantix. I was even more shocked when you dramatically decreased the amount of cigarettes you smoked over the next week - I’d guess by about 50%. To me, this in itself was a small miracle. The bigger shock was when you followed up with a visit to a hypnotist, just a week later. Yeah, you had been idly talking about this for about a year, but as Miss Sammie would say, “I never thought I’d see the day...” The day arrived. August 20th. You totally stopped smoking. This is what I’d consider a huge miracle. I can already see a dramatic improvement in your breathing, energy and stamina. I don’t remember ever being so proud of you. Although I knew you could, I never believed you would. I love being wrong every day since August 20th - one day shy of a month. Thank you for the best anniversary gift you could have possibly given me. Love, YM I know Aunt Baby would have also been proud of her Pop, as Andy is. I won't have to play this song for Geoff any more. Perhaps you can share it with someone in your life who needs to give up nicotine. Until next week, wishing you love and peace and safety for all who have / are in the path of Hurricane Florence.
Hugs, mar
44 Comments
Kris
9/19/2018 07:28:31 am
Happy Anniversary!!! What a gift, what a guy!❤️💜🎊
Reply
Verlie
9/19/2018 07:55:18 am
I'm happy for you guys, what a sweet story, what a sweet family portrait, congratulations! Thanks so much for sharing, warms my heart. <3
Reply
That has to be one of the most wonderful gifts in the world. Congratulations to Geoff and to you for your support and encouragement in this major step towards living a long and healthy life. I was blessed in the same way when Jim took Chantix and stopped smoking the same week. We are both grateful for the health benefits of not smoking and for the reduced expense that used to go up in smoke. Love you both. Hugs.
Reply
Mary Maslayak
9/19/2018 08:42:18 am
How wonderful for the both of you! I wish you many more long years together.
Reply
kimmie6078@yhaoo.com
9/19/2018 09:02:33 am
Dearest Maria and Geoff,
Reply
Dear Maria and Geoff,
Reply
Shannon
9/19/2018 09:34:02 am
How beautiful your family portrait is! What a gift, too. I gave up long ago nagging my husband to stop. But I make him put it out around me. Congratulations to the both of you and here's to many more happy years!
Reply
Dearest Mar and Geoff
Reply
Martie
9/22/2018 11:19:26 pm
❤️❤️❤️
Mike
9/19/2018 09:48:13 am
Congratulations to Geoff and Happy Anniversary to you both. I kept raw almonds on hand to munch on, to fight cravings.
Reply
Randi Benlulu
9/19/2018 10:06:32 am
Happy Anniversary! What an amazing gift! Congratulations to Geoff! I know that wasn't easy but you will continue to feel better. 💛
Reply
9/19/2018 10:17:52 am
This is wonderful, Maria. Wish everyone could read it. Lives could be saved or prolonged.
Reply
Dear Nellieanna,
Reply
Racheal
9/19/2018 10:53:27 am
Happy anniversary to you both!
Reply
9/19/2018 11:04:57 am
Hi Mar...
Reply
Love from Jordan Pasik ❤️
9/19/2018 11:42:52 am
This post makes me happy in so many ways. Even though you may not have agreed to the smoking for years, you don’t scold and judge him but rather convey how PROUD of him you are now. You are one of a kind Maria, sending my love!!
Reply
Shauna
9/19/2018 12:12:16 pm
Happy Anniversary, Mar and Geoff!
Reply
Claire
9/19/2018 12:28:23 pm
Happy Anniversary!
Reply
paula
9/19/2018 01:03:22 pm
Wow! This is what I call, "Win-Win!!" A 31st. Anniversary (CONGRATULATIONS!!) and a special life-saving gift from your dear hubby! Wonderful times! Yippee!
Reply
9/19/2018 01:06:55 pm
Happy Anniversary! Hope you two have many more to come. You do know how to hit hard, don't you? lol I've smoked for over forty years. Tried Chantix but found it made me nauseated. Now, while writing, I still smoke, but find more burning down in the ashtray than in my mouth. So, I'll die from second hand smoke. :) There needs to be a desire to stop. Trouble is, I like smoking and don't have that desire. Maybe (cough) one day (cough) I'll give it up. Again, (cough) Happy Anniversary, Sis!
Reply
9/19/2018 05:31:49 pm
Prof. Mahreer,
Reply
Gail Sobotkin
9/20/2018 04:52:06 pm
What a wonderful 31st Anniversary gift! So happy for you both.
Reply
Coming here today and reading this. Oh WOW!! I am blown away! Just look at the gift the Geoff gave to HIMSELF and to YOU!! Already his lungs are healing. I read that within three years of quitting smoking, the risk of heart attack goes down to about the same risk as for everyone else, but is much more elevated when people are smokers.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
MarcoujorWelcome to my desk... Archives
May 2019
Thanks for Sharing!Popular Posts |
marcoujor's musings
mar's Desk
This multi-topic blog publishes weekly on Wednesdays.
Thank you for the visit and please enjoy the reading.