Today is my 5 year anniversary of the day I quit my 2 pack (and sometimes 2 and a half pack) a day habit for good.  I find it somewhat hard to believe that much time has passed, but at the same time it does feel like a very long time since I held one those cancer sticks in my hand.

I used to post a lot in the beginning, a lot more than I do now, sometimes every day.  Now I don't so much, mostly because of time constraints, and because, I guess, you do reach a point when just knowing the site is here, even if you don't visit very often, is enough to keep you on the straight and narrow.  No matter what happens, what I do in life, or where I go in the world, I so appreciate knowing there is a lifeline here, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

I feel like I've only given back a fraction of what this community has given to me over the past 5 years, and maybe not even that much.  I know that a big part of the reason I am still smokefree after all this time is being part of this community.  I am honored to have been welcomed into this online family, and I am honored to be part of it still. 

I won't make promises to post more often, because I never seem to make good on them.  But I will keep trying!

I haven't posted since my mom and I went to Ireland, so I do want to say that we could not have had a more wonderful time.  My mom enjoyed herself so very much, and I enjoyed watching her have such a great time!  Thank you again to all who were so encouraging back when it seemed like we were not going to make that trip.

Well, it's times like these when I wish I was more eloquent and could come up with something really profound to say.  Maybe I'll come up with something for my 6-year post, because I already know I will be making one.  Maybe I'm being presumptive, but I'm having to much fun being smokefree for that not to happen!

God bless you all.  No matter what happens, keep fighting the good fight.  It is so worth it.

With love and appreciation from the bottom of my heart,

Dawn

Dawn, Five years is unbelievable.  I'll bet it's hard to even remember yourself with a cigarette in hand.  It is folks like you who lead the way and show folks like me that quitting can be a long term, lifelong choice.

You have my heartiest congratulations for a job well done and for being such an outstanding role model!

You said:

Well, it's times like these when I wish I was more eloquent and could come up with something really profound to say. 

Nothing beats what you said before that! 

Today is my 5 year anniversary of the day I quit my 2 pack (and sometimes 2 and a half pack) a day habit for good

Doesn't get better than that!  Congratulations.

WOW….way to go Dawn…and just keep going…see you before year 6 I hope!

5 years smoke-free is pretty danged profound, if ya ask me !

BIG  congrats on this great anniversary !

Dawn, congrats on five big years!!!!!  Just being here as a good example is profound and of enormous help to others.  Knowing we can do this long term helps me a lot.  I'm so glad your trip to Ireland with Mom was so great.  How nice to be able to make happy memories with her.  Cherish every single one of them.

A big old hug to you my friend.  You so deserve to celebrate on such a great anniversary!  Judy

Congratulations!  What a milestone.  I remember when I first started out finding a list of health benefits and a timeline.  Your risk of stoke is now the same as a non-smoker!  Good job.

i missed it, sorry!!!
*hugs* Phantaroonie. Congratulations!

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