The Strength of a Mama

You know, last summer Mama had surgery. The doctors told her that she really needed to stop smoking. We all knew that was unlikely. . . Mama had been a smoker for 50ish years! She had started as a teenager, and was quite dependent. We were thrilled when she made the decision to stop. It's been about 8 months now, and there have been so many blessings -- sometimes they crop up at unexpected times -- like when we all went out to dinner recently. The hostess asked "Smoking? or Non?" I started to say "Smoking" for Mama's sake, but then I realized that I didn't have to do that anymore. .. . The day to day blessings are the best -- the fact that the house doesn't smell like smoke -- we can go visit and our clothes don't smell like smoke. . . there's not nasty ashtrays everywhere. . . . .and the timing was impeccable, since Shanda is expecting a baby in a few weeks.

Smoking has been a part of our lives forever, and it is really incredible that it is not anymore. It was probably one of the hardest things she's ever done, and while I know she did it in part for her health, I think she also knew how happy it would make us for that part of our lives to be behind us. How wonderful to be able to breathe easy and clean and clear. And how amazing is the strength of a mama.