Very frightening case. Especially for those of us with older parents.
So, my vice is cigarette smoking.
In the 30+ years since my parents moved to Florida, I would come down during Presidents’ Week when NYC teachers are off, ignore my parents completely, and hang out at one of the pools from morning until the sun went down, very contentedly swimming, tanning and smoking.
Now, though, with my parents in their 90s and both very sick in different ways, and since I retired, I come down every other month to provide company for my dad and to keep an eye on him, and to visit my mom in memory care.
Up until Nancy Guthrie, which happened while I am here in Florida, I would meander outside at night without locking my father’s door, and smoke too much.
NOW, when I go out to smoke, (my dad is in bed by 8:00), I stand in front of his first floor condo like a lioness, with the door double locked behind me. This is a gated community, but things have happened here nevertheless.
He’s not rich and I’m not famous, but this is it now. Not going to let my habit endanger my father.
( It’s also REALLY cold here in Florida! I’m still wearing my winter coat that I usually shed the instant I land).