My Anniversary Gift

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

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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