TIME..FOR THE ANNUAL ELDER APPRECIATION DAY...BRING IT....

[owlfeather]

Message all your friends.  Contact the Elders that helped you.  Bring them out of the woodwork.  It is time to tell these Warriors, the Elders, aka Long Term Quitters, how much they are loved and APPRECIATED.  Every day they come to help save lives.  They come.  They get kicked in the head, kicked in the gut, bruised and bleeding yet they come still.  Why?  BECAUSE THEY CARE ABOUT US.  True WARRIORS they are.  WARRIORS fighting to help us save our own life, teaching us how to do that, day in and day out.  We have lost some BIG GUNS recently.  Burn out.  Tired, so tired of getting their heart ripped out.  Yet still they lurk behind the scenes.  STEP UP HERE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, TAKE A BOW, A HUG, A THANK YOU, WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Come on up, all of you Newbies, Oldies, In betweenies,  lets' give these WARRIORS a HAND UP, let us let them know how much we APPRECIATE THEM.   LET THE PARTY BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

[owlfeather]

"G",  Papa Jim,  Bonnie, Thomas, Tommy, Linda, Joy, Aztec,  I Know there are more, and I will post them.  I would not be here today if it were not for you caring, believing in me when I didn't.  I owe my life and my breath to you...I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, FROM THE DEPTHS OF MY SOUL...........

[Newfound_Joy]

Owl,

What a FABULOUS IDEA!!  We should make this an ANNUAL event!!

To ALL you Elders and EXPERTS here:  Words cannot ever convey the true deep heart felt APPRECIATION I have for all of you!!!

Thank you for being here!!

Thank you for saving my life!!

I would not be here and healthy and FREE if not for ALL of YOU!!

[joy36]

Well, I am an Elder, but, I have people to thank. If we had this before I become an elder, I missed it, so, I need to do mine now. The list is long, and I'm sure I missed some of you, Please forgive me, if I forgot you. I want to thank, Legend, MotherGoose (connie), Dale,Shill57957, Carenda,Linda N., yaya, Aztec, pir8fan,Strudel,Maggie, jojo, Marcie, Sickofit-Nancy, Laura,Katherinefriedrich. You all have changed my life forever. I love each one of you for different reason's, but you were alway's there when I needed you, and that is so important to a newbie, like I was. You all have made me to stay here and Pay-It-Forward, because of you, and the support you showed me. Love and Hug's to all of you !!!!  Joy ( AKA grammi)

[Newfound_Joy]

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COME ON UP YOU ELDERS AND TAKE A BOW!!!

[owlfeather]

Dale, Strudel, Marcie, Nancy, Jojo.. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

[Newfound_Joy]

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[shaheen]

my list would be sooo long. thats why i dont mantion their name.

i just want to thank MARCIE. true friends of myne. i never forget her help ever.

LOVE YOU MARCIE. & love you all elders ❤️

[owlfeather]

Joy, this is the Second Annual Elder Appreciation Day!  Thought it was time .  What a beautiful Butterfly!  

Peggy!  Come on out, and come back!!!!!!!!!!!

[ryan44]

What a great idea!! The people that have helped me the most are Dale and Nancy. Thank you so much for taking the time to get me through some of the rough stuff. You were always there in your support. Dale you always have a straight out right to the point comment that does help. Nancy you give each of us the readings that will help us and you are the biggest cheerleader which we all need too.

  Also Jojo's story and her coming on here even during her illness has been a great inspiration to me.

 So thank you so much to Dale, Nancy and Jojo you've all helped me stay smoke free during these last 6 months or so.

[aztec]

Sheryl, Thomas, Dale, Peggy , Papa, HWC, connie, claudia, Linda N>

Marcie, Maggie, Bonnie, I know there are more.

Love to all the elders. Thanks for hanging in there when it gets rocky around here

I wish everyone a wonderful day

aztec

[SarahP]

I hesitate to list names because I don't want to leave anyone out, but for sure I can say Dale, Connie, Peggy, Thomas, Tommy, Astec, Strudel, Maggie, and more... and of course the group of quitters close in quit date to me like Nancy, Marcie, Joni, Betty, Cindy, oh gosh it goes on and on. It is safe to say I could not have quit without this community, both giving me support in my early days and letting me give it back to others. 

[shaheen]

who help me to start a new fresh life 🙂

[Ex_Nancy]

As Sarah has said, i could not have quit without this community. There are devoted, caring elders here that will support us and help us stay quit...Dale,Connie,Thomas,Peggy,"G",Papa Jim,HWC,Bonnie,Sarah,Tommy,Linda N, Maggie Joy,Aztec,Sherry,Joanne,Jojo and Jojo,Carenda,Yaya,Strudel,Marcie,Katherine Friedrich, Joni,Betty,Cindy and Karen and all that give their time.♥♥♥

[JimTaddeo]

Don't worry about leaving anyone out.......just do it! 🙂 There is a list, the very same list that many of you have that I also share with you. So to put it into perspective this idea embodies a huge number of people.

So first I say THANK YOU to all of you that have helped me (and that is all of you in one way or another everyone is one my list), and second I say, YOU ARE WELCOME, if I have helped you in some way then I am filled with joy and that helps me. Notice that makes a circle! We lived in a cycle of disease killing ourselves (it is a selfish place that we become stuck in or at least we like to tell ourselves that) and we can CHANGE that into a cycle of LIVING and HEALING everyone and everything around us. 

To me this personal change is much more than just giving up a bad habit/addiction and saving money, etc etc. It is and will continue to be an evolving way of being continually getting better and better.......to me it just makes sense. 

Freedom is simply a choice..........I CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU and I continue the fantastic journey and exploration of this thing called life......what a great thing to realize!

[Ex_Nancy]

Here are more to be honored...min@lanta,Sootie,Lisa in New York,Rick,Irishrose,Jawidge,Breakinthechains and JuliaAmy...♥

[froguelady]

There so many I owe so much to and I can not name everyone but I will name a few, Maggie, Sarah, Peggy, Dale, Mz Posse(Cindy), Kathy. Marcie, jojo, Aztec, Tommy, Linda N, Carenda, Karen, JoJo, Katherine F, Yaya, and my wonderful Joni. You give so much to help others and I thank you for I am indebted to you forever.  HUGS to all, I love you all.

[Mothergoose9]

I hope you all know that you have helped us just as much as we have helped you.  You gave us a reason to keep coming back and reminding even ourselves why this addiction is so hideous and that our quits are not to be taken for granted. 

As I said to someone else recently, your success, seeing you embrace freedom and conquer this addiction, THAT is thanks to us!!!  When I read how Bonnie was tempted at a funeral to smoke but remembered her decision over 2 years previous that smoking was not an option and that kept her from lighting up.....Wow!!!!  That makes my heart sing.  Or when Nancy replied on one of my blogs,

"When people ask me to help them I will tell them the truth so it will be of help, not sugarcoat it so they will "like" me better than others...Addictions are dangerous and need to be regarded as such...."   

...or I see people riding the train for the very first time, or reaching triple digits, or hitting the one year mark, or reaching the quad squad, or starting out Day 1 because something we've said has helped them believe that they really can do this....or just sitting back some days and watching ALL of you on here reaching out, sharing what you've learned, repeating the things that were said to you, hearing your excitement as you talk about feeling so good as a non-smoker.....these things are all priceless to us "elders" and the greatest way to say thanks of all. 

I am SO proud of ALL of you, WHEREVER you are in your QUIT, even if I had nothing to do with it personally.....because there is nothing like watching someone who felt like a loser, lived in defeat and powerlessness, rise up and become empowered to take back the control of their lives and begin to really live the life they were meant to live!!!  And it is SO much fun partying together on the train as we celebrate FREEDOM!!!!!  

You guys are all amazing and the greatest group of people ever to be a part of!!!  We've all come from different places, various circumstances, but with one common goal - to find FREEDOM from this addiction, and we are DOING what so many only dream about and wish for because we are doing this TOGETHER!!!!

[pat108]

There are so many to thank for showing me the way to a smokefree life.  Thanks to Nancy, Dale, Maggie, Yaya, Aztec, Tommy, Mike and all the others who have helped me. 

[auntdee]

There were so many in my corner at the beginning and on into my quit.  I was crazy and cannot remember them all. lol   I do remember Sheri, Teresa, Mary, Patrick, Tommy, So many sent me pictures, which were VERY HEALING to me and funny.  There is another lady who helped me and i cannot think of her name .  I can see her face, she is beautiful.  Dale helped me too.  I want to thank everyone, you know who you are for saving my life.  If i had not stopped smoking now, i probably would not be here to enjoy what time i have left.  And i am having every ounce of fun i can get.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart, everyone.

Love Hugs and Prayers.

Doris

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Thanks.

We do it because there's no better feeling than helping someone find their way out of

this mess we got ourselves into.

and i love you all except the jerk from chincadina with numerous user names

[owlfeather]

LOL Dale!  Where would we all be without you?  Hahaaaahhaa!   Sour lemons for Breakfast?  ^__^...

Let's keep this going, everyone tell everyone else, let everyone know.  We just gotta love on all these Warriors!   

Be back in a while crocodile,  keep the KUDOS coming!  

[Julia_Amy]

Ok, this is my 3rd attempt!  I keep getting interrupted and I am too STUPID (yes that time I was shouting) to hit save before I leave the computer!  Who knows, maybe it's the cyber gods trying to save you from my long-windedness, lol!

I have been trying to tell you that all of you helped so much.  The ponderers, the light hearted ones, the tough ones the soothing ones, the emotional ones, the logical ones, the analytical ones, the methodical ones, the spontaneous ones...all the different people is one of our communities greatest assests.  It is a multi-directional approach for the new quitter at all times.  I know I needed all the different approaches at one time or another during my quit, HA sometimes by the HOUR!  Everyone who has been named I know helped me, even when I didn't know I needed help, I didn't realize I was doing it but I saved your words in my head and out they came when I did need them.  I do want to name someone who is not here.  It may not be appropriate but I think it is because she helped so many with her gracious acceptance and empathy...Carolyn. 

 I had had this distinct feeling that I was at an irreversable crossroad.  If I continued smoking there would be a dire consequence soon,  if I turned a different way I might miss that bullet so I turned that it way and it brought me to this site and you.   It might sound flaky or corny but it is what I felt and I'm way too old to not accept my feelings.  That's a younger woman's insecurity.  I feel that ALL of you helped me accomplish the single most important health goal of my life.  I don't even know HOW to thank someone, who, not even knowing me, helped me day after day for over a year save myself from that insane addiction that was killing me.  So as inadequate as it is; thank you from the bottom of my heart.   Appreciation?  There is not one day I do not think of you and wish you the best. 

[Julia_Amy]

Oh!  Thanks to Owl for giving us the moment and place to express this formally!

[Mothergoose9]

 "I don't even know HOW to thank someone, who, not even knowing me, helped me day after day for over a year save myself from that insane addiction that was killing me."  You're doing it hun, very well, I might add!!!  Stay FREE!!!!!!

[jojo_2-24-11]

This is a wonderful idea, Owl.Connie, Dale, Aztec, Maggie, Misty@Dawn, Kellie, jojo, Thomas, james, eddieg, Tommy, Cindy, cyn, Sarah, Nancy, Shill so scared of leaving anyone out. jonilou, Yaya, Froguelady, Sootie, Star, Nancy, Jo. I know there's more!

[jojo_2-24-11]

IrishRose, DianeJoy, Nauticalnut(Joy)

[barbara42]

I know that I would not have got it done with out so many people that it would take too long to write, so i will say this site, and to all of you, please hang on and know that you can do it, so i will say thank you to all who helped me and that includes new people as well as ud elders. PEACE !

[Bonnie11.3.2009]

They say it It takes a village...well that we have!  Thank you to everyone that gave me the inspirations and the "how to" to have a successful 1000 day quit. 

We've made this community what it is and I'm so proud and grateful for all of us.  It feels so wonderful to see others start to take over and guide the newcomers.  marcie, maggie, nancy, you've done a great job welcoming the newcomers and getting our message across.  

I've always been partial to those who keep finding their way back here time and time again until they make it stick.  I think there's lots to learn from them so we can help others get over their sticking point. I;m gateful to see Smoked Out and Owl back with strong quits and  I personally won't be happy til lois is free!  

Thanks to all of you and especially jonescarp aka Dale!

I 

[AutumnWoman]

Thank You and You're Welcome!  As I've heard said, If you want what we have, do what we did -- so I did it.  And that includes paying it forward.  You are worth it.  We are all worth it!  This place helped me see that, too.

[Dakota_Posse]

Owl.....what a wonderful idea!!!  Thank you for getting it going!!!

There's not one person on this Site who hasn't helped someone else either through a comment, a blog, a prayer, a joke, or just by being here!

HUGE thank you to everyone & may we ALL continue to help those who want to kick their addiction to nicotine!

Cindy/The Posse

[owlfeather]

You all know I don't have the ability to do graphics, right?  Let 'em fly!   Bring It!

[lisa11209]

Thanks, Owl.  It is good for all us to get to express our gratitude!

Many thanks to all who make up the community, especially the experienced quitters who share so much of there time.

Peggy, Dale, Aztec and Sam, Nancy and her herd of cats, Jojo from Philly and jojo from New York, Joy, DianeJoy, Sheryl, Strudel, Mikecity ever faithful in his good mornings, Thomas and his dedicated posting of "know you enemy", Misty@Dawn, Tommy, Linda N, Marcie, Mike in Atlanta, Charliej who first told me what NOPE meant......

Happy Smokefree Tuesday to all

[owlfeather]

You haven't been out picking mushrooms or anything like that have you Dale?????

[mountaingirl27]

I want to thank all the veterans and others who have helped me get this far. Only Day 5 for me but you all are sooo inspiring and helpful!! I would not be quit without you! 

Thanks to Nancy, Thomas, Dale, Jojo, Maggie, Aztec, Mike, Connie, Irishrose, Sootie and all others who I did not post but meant to....THANKS a TON!  I LOVE YOU ALL!!Do not know where I would be without you!!

[wendysuelopez]

Thank you to the elders here for keeping me strong and getting my booty back in line. 🙂  Your words mean the world to me and i have much respect for all of you.  Keep doing what you're doing. It's working.  I thank God for you all every day.

[SmokedOut041412]

I can't even begin to mention names as there have been so many who have reached out and led the way. Some of which are very active still, others who have moved on, and SADLY a few who have fallen back into the grips of this insideous addiction.

My thanks go out to All of YOU!!!

Sincerely,

Teresa

I know this is an "Elder Celebration" but, If I may, I would like to add that there are many "newbies" who help me as well. Thanks to YOU all as well 🙂

[Strudel]

Owl Feather - This is so beautiful! WOW! Thank YOU!!! I consider this place the "Circle of Life" - those that came before me - who helped me to much - James, Dale, Sheryl, Sootie, Bonnie, Kellie, Thomas, Charlie, Aztec, Anancondahead, Connie, Peggy, and dear Tommy, - and on and on - so many more!! And then - so many who have come after me - who have come here and listened and learned and allowed us to "pass it on" - what a place!! I thank everyone who is a positive part of this community - elders and newbies and everyone in between! Thank you dear Owl!! What a blog!!

[maggie_8-1-2010]

COnnie - I loved reading your blog within this blog!

We sure have been seeing much more of you lately. That is very nice. Of ocurse - you are one of the people that helped with my quit and I appreciate you!

[maggie_8-1-2010]

Thank you Owl for making this venue for all of us to show our appreciation for others. I really like this idea!

[AutumnWoman]

[bella65]

what a great idea. it is.thank you Dale ,Bonnie,Strudel,Aztec.Marcie and everyone else that has helped me with my quit i wouldve been an elder ..next time i will be.lol

great job everyone 

[Giulia]

Flap flap, hoot hoot, thanks Owl for making us elders feel proud. 

Your success is our success.  Each milestone is another paving block upon which the next newbie can walk.    We were guided by the elders before us.  We learned from them, from their mistakes and successes and then we forged our own way.  The journey continues.  I would say thank YOU for allowing us to share and participate in all of the many quit lives that we have on here.  It is a group effort.   I have rarely come across so many who care so much.  And I know if I were ever in need, whether it be a shakey quit or just an emotional meltdown, I could come here and be supported by many loving hands. 

We are very lucky.  Very lucky indeed.

[maggie_8-1-2010]

Like I've said so many times, this site was the difference that made the difference in my forever quit! The sense of community is like nothing I've experienced before and is what keeps me coming back! As the others have said, there are so many people to thank but the following people spring immediately to my mind.

Bonnie, Giulia, Rick M, yaya, Strudel (Kathy), Aztec, pir8fan (Tommy), Irish Rose, Connie, and Thomas. I admit I did not get Dale for the longest time but once I did (a little) I looked forward to reading his advice and see his humor!

Of course those are the "elders" that helped me get where I am today and expecially in the beginning days. I would be remiss if I did not mention my quit buddies - Misty@Dawn, George (Jawidge), Laurie and others. And I have to mention all the friends I've made a long the way whether or not you are an elder. Nancy (sick of it) is one of bestest twisted sisters and I love all of her contribtions to this site.  

And finally, my good friends from the Freedom train team - Linda, Marcie, Karen, Cyn, Jonilou and Sher! I am grateful to be working (or did work) with them on this celebration venue!

I'm sure I'm missing someone and for that I apologize. To all that mentioned me I appreciate your vote of confidence. 

Love to all! Protect those quits and thanks again for this opportunity!

[maggie_8-1-2010]

[ptaradactyl]

OWL, you are at the top of my warrior list. Always posting encouraging words on my board and inviting me join in blog events and just making me feel welcome. You are definately not the only one, but the first that comes to mind. Thank you 🙂

Papa James Taddeo. Your daily pledge group brings me here daily. Not because I have to, but because I WANT to. Thank you.

sickofitNancy. I always enjoy your pictures and encouraging post, not just the ones you send to me, but you send stuff to just about everyone. Your time, effort and thoughtfullness do not go unnoticed. Thank you.

Sheryl. I don't know how or why but your sweet spirit literally shines through the computer each day that I read your daily pledges. Thank you.

SOOOO many have reached out to me since I came here it's just impossible to acknowledge everyone so I'm just going to recognize my personal big 4 and close with this:

Thank you ALL for being there for me and everyone else seeking help here. Right now, practically everyone is my elder. Someday, I will be an elder and I will be a great elder because of the example that you have set for me.

[owlfeather]

This is Beautiful!   Keep it coming!  Go tell everyone you know!  Keep that love coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  What a Beautiful Place!!

[Rick_M]

Hey great day for a party. Thank you Owl for the chance for some recognition. I remember getting support way back when from reading HWC responses to blogs and advice from Giulia on relapse traps. I sure hope somewhere along the way I have helped someone kick the addiction. Sure is sweet not to smoke.

[craftylady]

OH MY!!  That would be to many to count or name!!  How long can the blog post be???  Thanks to all.  Elder's, those who quit with me and held my hand AND even those who came after me - ALL have helped me in one way or another in this process!!  YOU ALL ARE GREAT!!!  I would like to say this:

Elder's:  Your experience, calm wisdom and occasional scolding was apprieciated!!

Those who quit with me:  WE MADE IT!!  And to those who have left - my prayers that they have found another way or if not, that they find their way back.

To those who followed:  Being able to encourage other's often encouraged me too!! 

[mikecity]

Pictures88.com | Thank You | Forward this Picture" />

[owlfeather]

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