A Farewell Milestone & I Thought of Smoking

[Kate18]

My pregnant daughter, her husband, and their two children flew to Texas day before yesterday. They'd had enough of mask mania and living under lockdown here in Seattle. I'll miss them, especially their eight year old daughter, whom I often cared for when she was a toddler--overnights at grandma's house, trips to the park together, etc. (When the one-year old gets a bit older, he'll come, too.)

 

When you've lived in a house for years, you probably know how things can collect. There was so much for them to do and pack up. About twenty bags of discards and some small furniture were left behind for me to take to a donation drop site. I made trips back and forth to drop the bags/furniture at my place--several hours of driving each day, plus load and unload. My back was aching.

 

They had professional cleaners come in on their last day in the house and clean bathrooms and kitchen. They were to have come back the following day to finish, but couldn't--a schedule snafu. So I cleaned, starting at 6 am. The house needs to go on the market so they can sell it and buy a new one in Texas.

 

Then I boxed the cookware they need asap in Texas, plus my son-in-law's electrician's tools (weighs 43 lb) so that he can start working right away, and took them to the UPS office for shipping. 

 

On the way into the UPS office, straining my back with the 43 lb tool set (it felt like 75 lb, but I'm 71, so guess I'm not as strong as I used to be), I passed a guy standing outside the minimart, 15 feet away, peacefully smoking and drinking a cup of coffee. A part of me yearned to just drop the tools on the spot and join him for a smoke. 

 

But after almost two years of being a nonsmoker and pledging NOPE, you know the end to that story. I continued into the UPS office, made all the arrangements for them to professionally box the cookware and tools, paid the nice people (it's a family-owned business), and went home. Smoker-guy was back inside the minimart, believing that he'd just had a relaxing break, not realizing he'd only fed an addicted nicotine monster that was soon going to yowl for more.

 

It feels good to be a nonsmoker.

NOPE

[Paul723]

I'm proud of you Kate.

[garry mhudson]

I know the feeling. still happens after all these years but I believe it`s got more to do with what is going on in your life than a crave for nicotine. I`m 72 and sometimes I feel like "why not". No family near me {Texas and Illinois) will just one really hurt? Answer is yes. Good job on a difficult day Kate18. Be proud of yourself. Best wishes. Good luck with the back. I can relate.

[KEL]

@Kate18Thank you for sharing. 

[jillar]

My first thought when reading this was shame on your daughter for leaving all that for you to do. She should have left you to babysit the grandkids while she packed up and cleaned her place. That being said, I'm so happy to see how you walked right past what would have been so hard for you two years ago. Proof for all those coming behind you that it does get so much easier with time

[Gus]

Congratulations @Kate18! Well done!

[Doreensfree]

Well done Kate ...I'm so happy you kept your wonderful Quit ...you know a smoke wouldn't have changed any of the situation....only put you back to square one Sweetie......

Your winning your battles .

[Boo]

7 hours ago, Kate18 said:

It feels good to be a nonsmoker.

NOPE

 

Absolutely.

 

Good job Kate.

[johnny5]

Great job, Kate!

[intoxicated yoda]

Nicely done Kate and thanks for being an inspiration to those of us following you.  

[Kate18]

19 hours ago, jillar said:

My first thought when reading this was shame on your daughter for leaving all that for you to do. She should have left you to babysit the grandkids while she packed up and cleaned her place. That being said, I'm so happy to see how you walked right past what would have been so hard for you two years ago. Proof for all those coming behind you that it does get so much easier with time

Hmmm, yes, I can see how that must have sounded, reading back over it. She's six months pregnant and is supposed to be keeping quiet--she's not able to do cleaning that involves bending over, and had to take care with packing. She had several difficult pregnancies, with two ending in C-sections. The third one didn't end well, sad to say. This is probably their last child, and they don't want to risk anything that could cause premature labor or worse.

They also have a motor-legs 1+ year old boy. She's 39, so still young, but not the endless energy of a 25 year old. She was managing the renovations for the upcoming house sale, plus frequent communication with the handful of people that she's formed relationships with online and by phone, making arrangements for temporary housing for the family and their three Border collies--very tough with the dogs, starting the search for a new house to buy, and I'm sure a lot I don't even know about. Whew! And she homeschools the eight year old through all of this.