Mike, thank you for putting yourself out there and sharing your experiences with us. I read your post and all of the comments last week, but was very hesitate to share my own experience until now.
This happened back in the late seventies...my sister and I were both trying to quit smoking cold turkey. She quit about three weeks prior and that encouraged me greatly and I tossed my cigs in the trash.
The first couple of days were bad, but the third was unbearable. I was physcally sick and felt like I was loosing my grip on reality. My sister stopped by and was alarmed when she saw my condition. I asked her if she would please take my two young sons, so I could pull myself together and she did.
Now alone, and in a most desperate situation, I was standing in my living room talking to God, and at some point, I moved a chair into the middle of the room, sat down and began to beg God for his help. I told him without his help I could not do this on my own.
How do you find words to recount something of a Super Natural nature, I don't know, but I'll try...within seconds, all time, space and reality as I knew it, vanished. Slowly and ever so gently, a very light fog that contained little floating light particles, came from above me, encircling me as though I was in a transparent cocoon. What followed was an all consuming peace, contentment and love, so much love. A love so great words could never describe.
All I know is I never wanted this to end, but as gently as it had come, it began to lift gently from me. I sat in that chair trying to adjust my thoughts, from what seemed like, one dimension into another. I was afraid to move anything but my eyes for fear the peace, love and contentment would be taken from me. Reluctantly got up just stood near the chair for a bit longer, until I was so overcome with joy I had to get to my sister and share this with her, no matter how crazy it would sound.
My physical transformation and joy was immediately obvious to her, so much so, all she could do at first was stare at me wide eyed, with a look of shock. That was followed by, OMG! You smoked didnt you? I told her I defiantly had not and she needed to sit down because I was about to rock her world.
I've had many years to ponder this and I have no choice to believe this was God's Devine Intervention. I agree with you guys about the little ones too, I cherish all of them.