Life Began Again on Feb. 28, 2014

This begins a series of the mystical, written just as entered in my note taking software so that I could retain the facts. I present them unedited because the truth needs no baubles.

My mom died from emphysema when I was 22.

I began smoking at 15 and couldn't quit, even watching her die.

At one point I did quit, had babies, then when Rob went to North Dakota for work, it was an incredibly stressful time and I started up again for about a year and a half.

It didn't feel good, my lungs always burned, and I decided to quit again.

I set a date for Feb 28, but as the day approached, I didn't think I had it in me.

I prayed for help.

On Feb 26, I came down with the only stomach flu I've ever had - I'm immune to stomach flu.

I was in bed for two days, throwing up blood and completely incapacitated. My mother in law came to watch the kids while I stayed in bed.

On Feb 28 (2014), the flu passed. I got out of bed and discovered I had absolutely zero desire for a cigarette. It's been more than a decade since that time, and the desire is still completely gone.