The Intervention

During the last week of August 2008, my wife and I visited Colorado. Since our eldest daughter-in-law had just spent a week or so with us in Oregon, we chose to stay with our eldest daughter for our Colorado visit. As it turned out, our eldest daughter in law joined in on the fun and stay several days with us at our daughter's house.

It was during that visit, that I was asked to pose for a photo with my grand kids. I thought that was a bit odd (just me and the grand kids), because the grand kid's grandmother, and the grand kid's mothers were also present. So, the picture was taken, and it turned out really nice.

Let me back up a bit. For those of you that don't know, I started smoking when I was about 15, and have smoked for 35 of the last 40 years (I did quit for five years about 15 years ago). Each time I went for a physical, my lungs checked clear, which for me, served as an incentive to continue on. I've always enjoyed smoking, except for the times I've burnt my self, my clothing, or my furniture.

Now I have also been aware that my eldest grand daughter has been praying every day for the past 5 years, that I stop smoking, although she has never mentioned it to me. And my eldest grand son entered a anti-smoking poster contest, and his entry was subsequently selected to become part of a published calender.

Then on October 1, 2008, I get this package in the mail. In it was the a framed photograph taken with my grand children. And attached to it was a caption asking me to extend my life with them by quitting smoking. And included in the package were handwritten notes from my daughter, my daughter-in-law, and each of the grand children. My wife then placed the photo inside the new house, where at that time, I worked on it most every hour I could.

I have to admit that the photograph and letters brought tears to my eyes, but it also really pissed me off. But an intervention is designed to shock the conscience of the subject. I know that because I've orchestrated one my self in the past.

Not a night did pass that I didn't think about the photo and the letters. Every day for 92 days. Then on New Year's Day, I made the effort. I slipped on Day 3 when I found a pack of smokes that I forgot to smoke, so I smoked them over a period of 3 days. Now, it's been 93 smoke free days.

So, thank you guys for doing The Intervention, and thank you everyone else who have been supportive of my efforts to quit.

I'm well on my way to recovery now, but I must admit, a smoke and a cup of coffee at the Dock seems like a good idea right now. I'll just say, "No. No. No."