Hero

Abah is a hero in my eyes because he kicked his smoking habit; once when I was 9. He went back to it but later quit for good.

One Saturday in 1973, I had to go to school for extra class to prepare for year 3 assessment exam. Usually I would take the school bus, but since Saturday was not a normal schooling day, I would have to take the public Bas Sri Jaya. I had no pocket money, so I walked instead. The short-cut route to my school was about 4km. When Abah returned from work, he asked Mak where I was. Mak replied that I went to school. How? On foot. Abah said, kesian anak aku. Aku merokok sampai tak ada duit nak bagi anak duit tambang. (All this were relayed by Abah much later). So he quit. I don't know when he picked up smoking again, but I remember him quitting the final time when I was in my teens. He carried Hacks sweets in his pocket to suck on whenever the craving returned.

I know smoking is addictive and a tough habit to kick, but with determination and pure intention, one can succeed. Don't wait until you are compelled to quit. Because by then, you would have no choice but to quit.