Well, I made it.

[sherry]

A year!! :D ,... looking back it's gone by fast, faster then I ever would have believed that it could.

 

There were rough days, I ain't gonna lie to ya,  but I realize now that those rough times were learning experiences for me. I learned that I'm stronger then I ever gave myself credit for, and thats a new found self confidence  no one can take away from me. :D

 

I learned that there are folks here- "perfect strangers"- I could turn to when I was wanting to give in , wanting to say "ah, one won't hurt" who would stop what they were doing and hold my hand, yell at me, listen to me rant, carry me for awhile or any number of other things I've needed over the year, whatever I needed "right then",  I got here... I was never alone, and have'n that  support when I needed it is something I'll always treasure. :wub:

 

I learned that opening up and saying "I could use some help right now" is NOT  a sign of weakness,it's a sign of determination  -  everyone gets tired now and then, EVERYONE.. I'm no exception. :rolleyes:

 

I learned that because of this board and the experiences/interactions  here,  there are folks in this world that I'll never have the joy of meeting face to face who call me friend, and I am truly so VERY honored by that...

 

 I learned that there is a whole new world of fun, exciting, interesting things opening up for me.. all because I quit smoking,.. I have the confidence to try things I never would have before... you know that "I'm invincible" feeling we had as teenagers??.. it's kind of like that (well minus the aches and pains that come with age :laugh2: )  but  if I can quit smoking what else can I do?... time will tell as I explore my new life..

 

I've learned that quitting  - for me - hasn't been so much "quitting" as it has been GAINING  the things I've said above, and so, so, SO much more,..but I didn't know it - the extent of "it" as it was happening... I had to take the time to add it all up, all the parts over the year,  to start to really appreciate all I've gained...

 

So thank you QT for the laughs, the help, the support, the lov, the tears, the hugs, the advice... thank you and massive love to the Lace quit team and to so many others who have been with me behind the

scenes  helping me get here- to today, and helping to give me all  I've gained this past year, love to you all..

 

Now,....I have a  BOAT LOAD of cookies and Gloopy Gingerbread to go around,.. so what say, we get this party started!!!!!..I'm come'n onto the Lido deck !! :yahoo:    :yahoo:

 

Hugs, lov, cookies ALL AROUND!!! 

 

 

 

 

[El Bandito]

Classy Lady.

[SanDar]

Congratulations!  What an inspirational post. 

One year of Freedom  :)

[Nancy]

Wonderful post, lace!  So happy for you!

[Doreensfree]

A beautiful honest post lace....youv,e earned your rightful place....

Mmm did I hear gingerbread ....come and sit next to me sweetheart...

Hugs

[DCCXXVII]

Congratulations Lace :)

[joe]

Congrats Lace!,

 

I can't express how happy I am...glad you joined us up here!

[Pippa]

Oh Mis Lace - great post and so proud of you :-). Now did someone say cookies ??

 

[Colleen]

Congrats Lace...What an accomplishment!

 

[BAT]

Congrats L  :)

[cpk]

Congratulations. :sun_bespectacled:

[JackiMac]

Oh Lace so proud of you, your posting has me in tears you have summed up the heart of this forum, everyone on here fights for us all, its a place to come and feel determined, and know that if you look behind you there are many more pushing you forward, you should walk so very very proud you have accomplished a wonderful thing and as you say you have gained so so much more.  Big hugs and loads of cookies coming your way xx

[Nicole Diver]

It's a whole new life, isn't it? It's worth every struggle a thousand times over. A year? You are golden, all ya got to do now is NTAP. And keep doing brilliantly. Many well earned congrats!

[Still winning]

So happy for you and your quit Lace. Isn't it quite amazing what perfect strangers who can understand can do to support you, stuns us all I think but the beauty of this network is exactly that. Well done beautiful lady. xx

[Kristin]

Congrats!!! 

[bakon]

Awesome

[babs609]

So very well said Lace....we are lucky to know you...and thrilled beyond words for your healthy new life!  :)

 

xoxo

[Tink]

Every time I have gone to post for your 1 year celebration, I just couldn`t do it, some people just break through the cyber barrier into real life  :wub:

If you saw me now,  you would laugh your southern socks off! so here goes  :cray:

 

Dear Miss Lace 

 

From the moment I first saw you on the forum reaching out, looking for support, telling the world of your circumstances, I knew this lady was someone special, you struck a heart cord with me and I just thought how brave you were after everything you have been through and others saying you should not do it, but you were determined and you so wanted your girls to be proud of you, the day you told the girls was amazing and we were all there with you.

 

I guess the whole world would be proud of you, how far you have come, how far you have grown as a person, your confidence and pride in yourself, I believe your life in going to continue to be more amazing with your determination, confidence and sheer guts, the sky is the limit dear Lace

 

It has been my honour to have shared our journeys together dear friend, now where is that gloopy gingerbread?  :blink:  xxx

[Mastergardener]

You must be so proud!

[action]

Just wonderful :wub:

 

Proud of you :)