A moment you enjoyed with your family
Moments spent with your family members are most valued and the memorable ones are absolutely priceless. You will bring these memories with you throughout your life and certain moments will definitely leave a strong impression on you and I have one particular moment deeply etched in my mind.
It was the December holidays and it was one of the many family gatherings at my house. There was nothing really standing out in the course of the day till dinner time. “Eh dad, could you go somewhere else to smoke? You’re polluting the house, moreover if you want to kill yourself don’t take us down with you,” I said sarcastically, but with the approval of my aunties and uncles and especially my mother who has been suffering all these years. They all joined in the persuasion but after all these years it has fallen on deaf ears.
It was at this moment where all of us together devised a plan. My father has been smoking since an incredibly young age and has been suffering from chronic cough for ages now. As always, he started coughing once he stepped into the house. “See la, cough until like that still want to smoke,” my mother bellowed at him. As usual, he gave us his “signature” disgusted look on his face. Then, my auntie continued by saying, “don’t you remember what dad said to us? Especially to you?” My grandfather was also smoker and he had passed away at a young age because of smoking. So his final wish was for my father to quit smoking. It was at this moment where my father began to crack, he started reflecting, not speaking for awhile. Then it was my turn, “why don’t you do it for me, for all of us and most importantly for yourself?” “Okay, Okay, I will try my best,” though slightly reluctant, but we could all tell it was different from other times, it was more serious with no cheeky face expressions and a voice with the will to curb his craving. It was then confirmed when he chucked his packet of cigars down the trash bin together with his lighter.
My heart melted as this scene ran through my head over and over again till tears were on the verge of rolling down my cheeks. This moment was indescribable with all the mixed emotions running through my mind. My mother was overwhelmed with joy, a load finally off her and she was smiling continuously with my relatives, all happy for my father.
It was confirmed that our happiness was not shortlived as my father had really stopped smoking up till now and I do wish that he will not walk back on the same path as he did twenty years ago.
I would recommend you to listen to Thanks For The Memories and Breaking The Habit while reading this post.
Final words: Finally you have broken your habit dad and thanks for this wonderful memory!
Signing off,
Axl
♥ Friday, January 23, 2009
