Jack wrapped his arms tightly around his grandmother.
I couldn’t hold back my tears.
But I also knew something important.
Children should never have to carry responsibility for an adult’s health.
That evening, we talked for a long time.
I explained to Martha that her grandchildren could love and encourage her, but overcoming her smoking addiction was an adult responsibility.
The following morning, we went to see a doctor together.
For the first time, Martha admitted without embarrassment that she’d been trying to quit smoking for years but hadn’t been successful.
The doctor recommended a smoking cessation program.
From that day forward, we established a new rule in our home.
No one would smoke inside the house or anywhere near the children.
Martha agreed.
The first few weeks were difficult.
Sometimes she became irritable. Sometimes she cried.
But she stopped hiding her struggles.
Mike began spending more time with his mother too.
