Alex's Blog

"This particular textbook was for tenth graders. Horizons it was called or maybe perspectives. The line that the editors wanted to erase did not glamorize smoking. In fact it was just the opposite. The cigarette in question belonged to my mother and was referred to as an irritant, something invasive that had given me a headache. I suppose I could have replaced the irritating Winston with a irritating Roman candle, but the story was supposed to be true, and my mothers never sat around with fireworks in her mouth. The point I argued is that certain people smoke. It's part of what maked them who they are, and although you certainly don't have to like it, altering someone's character seems a bit harsh, especially when that someone is your mother, and picturing her without a cigarette is unimaginable. it's like she was a windup toy and that was her key."

via WHEN YOU ARE ENGULFED IN FLAMES, DAVID SEDARIS