Richard Lowe: Dad Quits Smoking

In my view, smoking is one of the great evils of the world. As vices go, I believe this is near the top of the list. So many people suffer because of smokers, and not just from secondhand-smoke. As a smoker gets sick, those around him are forced to provide care, and as the smoking related illnesses get worse and worse, we are all required to go to extreme lengths to save the life of our loved smoking friends, spouses and children. Eventually, we have the "honor" of watching them die a useless death. I know this from experience, as I was married for over eleven years to an otherwise intelligent and wonderful woman who could not quit smoking in spite of having chronic asthma, which directly led to diabetes which eventually led to Chronic Lung Disease and finally to her death.

One day my father went to the hospital for a physical examination. As part of this examination, the doctors took some X-rays of his chest. They showed him the X-rays, and told him that if he didn’t stop smoking, he was going to die. These X-rays proved to him that his lungs were full of tar and other junk, and convinced him to attempt to give up his addiction.

My dad quit smoking immediately … cold turkey. For the next couple of months, he was very difficult to get along with. In fact, he was an ogre, tense, uptight and viscous. Fortunately, mom took the time to explain to Belinda and myself what was going on, so we were prepared and were not too shocked at dad’s behavior.

I wrote him a note telling him I still loved him in spite of it all. The text of the letter is below, with misspellings and such intact.

Dear Daddy,

I Love You. And I think you are very good to me. Because you help me with my home work And with the things I am interrested in.

Even if you are meen. I stal love you. I hope I can help you. I’ll trie.

Love

Richard Lowe j.r.

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My Childhood: Dad Quits Smoking