h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A short time ago, a friend of mine went to the doctor with a touch of bronchitis. It turned out to be advanced lung cancer and his funeral is on Friday. He was only 47, three years younger than me. Like me, he smoked roll-ups for many years. S**t!

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Holy Toledo!

So how do you feel about that, PC?

Make you want to quite smoking? Or have you already quit?

az

Hi Az,

Thanks for the note.

I don't feel good about it at all. I'm trying to cut down, but not quit. I've been smoking regularly since 1970, and that makes it a very difficult addiction to break. Also, and I know it sounds stupid , I don't really *want* to give up, even though the risk is horribly real....

Pattern-chaser

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Addictions are tough. A relative is currently fighting a heroin habit that damn near killed him.

Please take care of yourself, my friend

My friend Jeff was 49, not 47, and he was cremated last Friday. The chapel was bursting - at least thirty people had to stand because the pews were full. The ceremony was professionally conducted by a Humanist 'celebrant', with speeches from Jeff's brother and best friend, and a poem from his seven year old daughter. "...I remember we went to Martinmere to see the ducks. I remember Daddy loves me."

In some ways, it was great to see everyone again. And yet these were people who hadn't bothered to contact me in the last fifteen or twenty years, and I hadn't stirred myself to get in touch with them either. We all met back in university, but from now on, we shall meet only at each other's funerals...

...one less each time. "Nine green bottles, hanging on the wall..."



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"Who cares, wins"