My Proudest Moment

 

My father was absolutely a heavy smoker.

Every morning on his raising, he was always sitting around the table, smoking like a chimney. It seems that smoking was a sacred mission for him. I often tried efforts to stop him. He promised to me that it was the last time he smoked, but in the next morning, I would find the ashtray full of cigarette ends.

My mother signed and said: “it’s useless to persuade your father into quitting smoking. I have tried it for nearly 20 years, but failed every time.”

I think of my father, he was so thin and so yellow that he looked older than he really was. I couldn’t forget the moment he bent and coughed heavily. For the sake of my father, I wouldn’t give up until I have made it.

I remembered once, after diner, my father took out a package of cigarettes. I stared at him without any words. He was sensible and smiled: “I know you don’t like smoking!” and then he left for the kitchen.

I followed him, “Don’t you know….”

“Yes, I do.” He interrupted me impatiently: “I know cigarettes do harm to healthy and smoking will shorten one’s life, yes? But I have smoked for more than 30 years, it is impossible for me to quit smoking.” He stuck the cigarette in his mouth, and set it on fire, the fireball hurt my eyes so much.

“It’s not a good excuse, isn’t it? As you often told to us, ‘nothing is impossible; never seek excuse for your weakness ’!”

“Ok, it will be the last time I smoke.”

“You have guaranteed to me so many times, but you ate every your word quickly, I won’t believe you any more.”

He felt a little embarrassed. But there was no point that he would throw away the cigarette in his mouth.

“Give it up, Dad.”

He showed no reactions.

“Give it up.” I continued.

He got a little annoyed. “I smoked when I was sixteen, it is an old friend to me, it plays a especial role in my life.”

“Smoking is to lung what worm is to leaf, how a friend can bring you to death.”

“Give it up, Dad, give it up!” I forced him to throw the cigarette away.

“It is impolite to speak to elder that ways.” He said with anger.

I felt wronged. I felt the tears in my eyes, and then rolled down my check.

“You are a selfish father. You never noticed how deeply I care of you. How miserable I am to see my father killing himself, but could do nothing. I am afraid that I will lose you at any time, my dear father. You are also a selfish husband. You never notice how much my mum concern with you. How bitter she is to see her husband weakening himself. She weeps for your poor healthy position.” I left him and locked myself in the bed room.

The next morning, I was surprised to find no cigarette ends in the ashtray. Instead, I found a note under the ashtray, it said, “I won’t be a selfish man any longer, I will quit smoking from now on, however difficult it was.”

I felt proud at that moment. I knew I had succeeded. No the bad effects of the cigarettes force my father to stop smoking, but love won the battery.

 Love will win everything.