Mother's Day gift of health

What better gift for you to give your mom on Mother's Day than to quit smoking. Despite all the warnings, one woman in six smokes, and over 150,000 women die from tobacco-related causes every year. Even if it doesn't kill you, smoking weakens your immune system, and it contributes to diseases of the heart and lungs, stroke, osteoporosis and early menopause. It also harms children.

A baby whose mother smokes is twice as likely to die of SIDS, and her older children are more likely to have asthma, pneumonia and bronchitis; secondhand smoke causes 150,000 to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections annually in American infants and toddlers. First, notice how unpleasant most of the moments spent smoking actually are, maybe even writing a note to yourself about them. Then, the next time there's the impulse to smoke, really remember what it's going to be like, seeing it clearly, without any rosy-smoke-colored glasses.

Second, before lighting up, look squarely at the horrible risks of smoking.

Third, imagine how good it will feel to do something healthier, such as going for a walk in the fresh air to get an energy boost instead of using nicotine. Perhaps write yourself a note describing how you'll feel after a month without tobacco, or glue a picture of a vibrantly healthy woman to your pack of cigarettes.

Think about the nice things you could have with the money saved by not buying cigarettes. If you're ready, call the NC Quitline at 1-800-Quit Now (784-8669). Professional counselors are waiting to talk to you and give you the support to set your quit date and be on the track to a healthier lifestyle.

I'm a member of the Youth In Action Against Tobacco Council, and all our events and activities are funded by the N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund.

— Savannah Simpson

Salisbury

Go ahead, take my paper

Anyone who knows me knows I am a generous person. I love my fellow man, and I get along and play well with others. That was put to the test this morning. When I was putting on my robe to go out my front door to get my morning paper, a car pulled in my driveway and stole the paper. Right in front of my eyes!

A note to those who choose to steal my property in the future: My car is in the garage, so don't assume I'm not home and no one sees you, and if you would have come to my front door and asked me for the newspaper, I probably would have given it to you, anyway.

— Robin Hager

Salisbury

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