He was a baby, a man and what’s next?
In every beginning, there is an ending. What is an ending? Who can really say that it is the end whereas some say “It’s just the beginning.” Who will take a knock to know?
He was a healthy jolly baby boy, a man of dignity. He used to have a simple life that is lack of material possessions. Simple as he owned a home – thing that he is really proud about. Living with his family kept him overt. It had pushed to dream, big, high. He longed for something; building his future family. That eventually came true.
Years continue to move. He is finally home. As he missed a lot of chances to be with them. They altogether filled each day full of happiness and joy.
Until one ordinary day, I came up with the realization that this guy had spent so much of his life working for us, and now fighting for his later years. We were all surprised then. An unexpected worry came to the family. How can a person handle a surprise? Some laugh. Some do cry. Some even jump. But he? Denies.
“It is already on the critical stage, Stage 3,” the doctor confirmed with his apologetic tone. The cancer cells are totally affecting his entire lungs. It was then the reason, why he used to breathe hardly. Confused at first he is. He handed her hand. It was then too cold. His confusion turned into madness. He really tried not to be desperate – he really was- that time and tried to be still. And as he reasoned it out, all he had said was, “Are you crazy?” how can it be!” the scenario was surrounded by flying questions. Questions that were already answered then. What the doctor disclosed is something about the effect not merely about the cause.
He never bear even at once -he never will- what was in scripted in the pack. “Cigarette Smoking is dangerous to your health.” One has done from the past maybe forgotten but it cannot be hidden. It will wait for its time to unfold. “Sorry is better than never.” Sorry though he tried to stop smoking, but it’s too late that he never realize that cigarette can put his life to an end before he knew it.
I still ponder why do they (YOU!) need to smoke. And why do several companies keep on manufacturing this deadly stick? And keep updating people reminders like Cigarette Smoking is dangerous to your health. These are stupid questions for me and making me stupid as well. Smokers, you make your life existence short as you breathe in the smoke while making the life of others deprived to live with fresh air as you puff it out. How can we live in a healthy world if only few strive to put their willingness to have it? These few put their outmost effort whereas numerous of us just take this for granted.
If you don’t love your body that much, how about yourself, your family and love ones? Hurting yourself is hurting them too.
I know that my father did not intend to hurt us, but he did and it still does. As I look back the four corners of his room, I again remembered that boys do cry. It is a lie that “boys don’t cry” because he did. In each time that he feels the pain his back and gradually lingering his whole body, he could do nothing but to cry. Maybe those are the vitamins packed in the cigarette that he once puffed, vitamins of death. Perhaps it’s what they call the end. What sets him free from the agony and pain he had, makes us angry for a useless reason of leaving. It seemed a doom for each and every member of the family. Occupied by remorse and guilt, thoughts if we have done the efforts we are supposed to do. We were all definitely in denial. What ifs rise again. He may be gone physically but not as a treasured baby, child, man, husband and moreover a beloved father. His untimely end gives us a better perspective in life. Time can take anything but memory holds it all.
We hope that through this simple note… everyone, especially SMOKERS will have a new notion about the ridiculous act they are doing; smoking. Smoke that “you” usually puff out makes your surrounding polluted, that gradually makes your life spoiled as well. You Save money, time, and energy when you quit smoking. Memories will be more precious for you live a healthy life. Options are simply around; you have lots of reason not to do it so. Think of your health, family or dreams. If these don’t work, try to wonder this “Am I ready to die?” You will suffer from a lot of pain, be in a bed rest condition while seeing your family living in so much pain because of your situation, maybe it will work. Keep a positive attitude, everything starts with a hope, and it will only happen if you hold in your goal. These things may be in its success if you will pay a little Effort. Nothing will be useless if you have given a try.
Puff not but Smoke– that is a joke!
By: Edlynne F. Perona
