Thank you all. It's been a day of days and one I shall not easily forget. You ALL made this a true party and a celebration of the life choice we've made together. Standing alongside one another, celebrating our victories, sharing our strengths, and our weaknesses as well, we've come together in a VERY special way. When I look around at other parts of life, I see beauty, and I see charm, and I see delights. But when I return to this oh-so-special part of the Universe, this little corner we call ECF, I
know I'm home.
I'm with you. And that's exactly where I want to be. I thank you all, and I thank you sincerely...
Now ... about this DPLongo22 character...
Mr. Longo, it's a bit difficult to type with tear vision, so just call the Gramma police on me if need be. To say simply that you are a friend, would be grossly inadequate and quite understated. You're a Friend of Friends, and in the TRUEST sense of the word, that is PRECISELY who you are. Thank you for this friendship, and thank you from all that's in me for being you, and for creating this most awesome festival. I AM in awe, have been for well over 12 hours now, and shall continue to revel in that very emotive state.
You knew, above all others, that even tho I don't do well with people making a fuss over me, I would love the

out of every single bit of it, and that, dear man, I did. HUGELY! Mission Accomplished, DPL. Well done, DPL!
My endless thanks, DPL.
You also knew that this day was a marker, a VERY special mark in time. In some ways, it IS my birthday... the day I decided to give LIFE to myself.
You (selflessly) jumped on it, (your work be dammed - temporarily) and created the space for EVERYONE to come in, say hello, and remember just WHY they were doing so. I could NOT be more pleased to share this day with you. And I am incredibly excited to continue our journey together. I will do my best to tolerate your intolerables... just as you tolerate mine. (even tho my intolerables are a LOT more tolerable than your intolerables)

ya too, Longolino.
And that's for ALL of you. Today is YOUR vape-a-versary, too! Yeppers, one more smoke free day. Celebrate yourself. Pat your shoulder. Give yourself a high five. Hug yourself.
Today I received a small gift. As I was getting into the car, I looked down and noticed an empty pack of cigs just inches from the door. It was my old brand!!! An empty dead pack of
my brand of cigs... I looked at, and I smiled. It had about as much attraction to me as those baggy shorts the silly little gang bangers wear.... you know, the ones that slide down over 1/2 of their backsides? Yeah/no. Cute, but no ecigar.
And today I received yet another gift. A valued gift. A shock of a gift. An enormous gift. And a gift that truly will keep on giving, and that's you.
That's YOU GUYS.
(ladies, get over it.... ya know I mean you as well!

). I am quite stunned by your wishes and overwhelmed by your kindnesses. I do not take ANY of it lightly, and every bit of me is not only beaming, but overflowing with gratitude towards you.
Here's to the next one thousand four hundred sixty one days. May they all be tinged with the sweetness and love
you provided today.
