RICART70 HAS ONE BIG YEAR CLEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[toothfairie]

Rick, just wanted to say.....you have been one of the kindest and caring people on here...you've helped me and others so much and I wanted to post for you...hope that's ok...lol  ONE YEAR is amazing my friend...i know you've struggled just like the rest of us and you came out on top...with dignity and grace.

Keep doing what you are doing...it's obviously working for you....even tho we get down some days...it's still better than the alternative.....you are a true inspiration...and i am humbled and proud to call you my friend.

Much love and respect,

Lisa

[ariley13]

Ric, you have one of the biggest hearts and are one of the kindest souls that I have ever known. You are always there to offer support, encouragement, or just a good laugh. Thank you for being you my friend. Congratulations on one huge year!!! You rock! Here's to many more years clean and sober!  Peace and love your way.  

Angela

[EvolverU]

Hey Ric, (You Wonderful guy, you!)

Boy, I've been looking forward to this day! You -- My Unassuming Friend Deserve Massive Kudos! You've worked so very hard to make this happen & you've taught me so much. (I don't know how to thank you except to follow your example to the best of my ability  & hope to make you as proud of me as I am of you.) You've reached out each day to so many with your insightful & caring posts. (I suspect you have no idea how many you've touched/helped.) Anyway, my Excellent friend Happy, Happy Year 1...May many more follow (& may they give you Pleasure. NO ONE deserves it more!!)

Anyway, on to the point of this whole thing: You Get A Prize! (Choose a door..Choose a door! 1, 2 or 3?) No? Okay, then I'll just tell you & you can take your pick.

1) A lifetime supply of Quorn products.
2) An attractive vegan girl who loves to do laundry, cook, (etc.)
3) The ability to teleport.

Well?

(Big Hug To You -- Annie)

[ActingBrandNew]

Big Congrats my friend!

[ricart70]

Thank You guys !!!!    I am proud of you too Annie and toothy and Evan !  I just woke up from nap and saw this. Thanks for posting toothy !  You guys are all just great people !   ;)
Annie ~ I am going to play the quantum particle version of the game and choose 3 doors

[clean_in_ks]

Knowing that you had 3 yrs clean.....and now have reached this 1 yr mark once again....sorta gives me some insight into to how you may be feeling about the celebration of this particular milestone, Ric,....kinda like yes, you are totally jazzed to have those consecutive days clean but it's not "new ground" for you, huh?  Afterall, like you said not too long ago, 3 yrs + 1 yr = 4 yrs out of the past 5 yrs of your life that you have been CLEAN!!!!
That's the timeline that YOU are celebrating in your heart today, huh?  

You have put together A LOT of days completely clean of any and all addictive substances (your words) and IT ALL COUNTS.....each and every one of those days, weeks, months and years has made you the man you are today.  

The man who said he used to have an apalling lack of empathy, sympathy and tolerance......and everything ANNOYED you.....has grown into this kind, compassionate, encouraging, sensitive man.  HOW COOL IS THAT??

I am proud to be traveling this road to recovery with you, Ric, and thank you (and Happy Herr...lol) for all you are....and for all you do for the addict that still suffers.
Bless you, Ric~
Connie

[selfinduced]

As you can see Ric, there is a universal theme to this thread and it describes your immense capacity and deep empathy to connect with others.Many who have walked your path would be cynical and bitter, but you show grace with every step. Thanks for all you are to this forum. Your words are soft spoken without missing the message and that is a sweet gift to all needing help. Congrat on making this HUGE milestone. I know I'll be seeing your five year post and dancing in the background with you. So darn proud. xo

[VICourageous]

Yes Sir, Congratulation is in order here. I too have had the Honor to get to know you and follow in your footsteps for many, many Months now. You really do have a way of reaching out and touching someone.Your reply's on here are sweet and short and come from the Heart.The biggest thing that sticks with me, is how you always Jog so many miles a day..Man I bet you feel Great...Ric,you have been a very, very big inspiration on here for me and others. I wish we could all get together and have a Big BBQ on this Day. You do deserve the best that Life can give you.
Many Blessing for You always!!!
Vickie

[laurel453]

aww, CONGRATS; Ricart !!!!!!! and keep walking.-... if we stop, we might regret it ;) ... have a great day!!!!

[Ms_im_doin_it]

Congratulations Rick ;) ;)! Time for a celebration...365 days!
Its true my friend! You really have accomplished an amazing feat...I entire YEAR! OMGosh...I long to be there so I'll lean on your ability knowledge & strength to get there and when I reach 365 days...I'll think of all the support I found in you and the unknowing friends who have made my 18 days possible! It makes you want to shout it from the highest mountaintop...what a natural high! Hugs friend, April ;)

[gnarly_1]

Hey dude congrats on 1yr that is a BIG milestone keep pushing forward and never let your guard down..........Gnarly...............

[ponco]

congrats rick you have done wonders for me, now find some shade and pop open a can of coke , and celebrate, john

[ricart70]

Thank You guys so much. Each and every one of you !!  
  I am going to go get some veggies sushi and eat it ,I think.
You guys all said so many nice things to me and I really appreciate it. @clnin KS  Yup you nailed it in the first paragraph . I just have to keep doing what is working for me.
  Thank you guys again for the compliments !!I am just surprised that Nobody has mentioned how smart and handsome I am (just kidding)    ;)

[nursegirl6572]

CONGRATS!!!!  What an amazing accomplishment!  Celebrate!!!

[EvolverU]

How smart & Handsome is, Ric?..........Let's Give Him A Hand, Folks!! (Ric, bobs a slight, uncertain bow & edges backwards off the forum....)

[selfinduced]

Oh yeah , I forgot...besides being a devine amazing individual, Ric is dead sexy, smart and ohhhh so handsome ( pay me later ) JK. it's all true. xoxo

[ariley13]

Yes, I forgot! You are soooo smart and handsome Ric!! (A very true statement said in a funny tone.)

[VICourageous]

Well Ric, I was going to mention how Smart, Funny and Good Looking you are, But I thought you already new this..Ha! Ha!! lol
You Rock!!!!

[starshine7]

Reading this just now...congrats Ric..fantastic to a funny and fantastic dude:) Gotta thank Herr as well..He watches over you...

[toothfairie]

well i was going to put in the original post how handsome and smart you were but i didn't want to embarrass you....lol  ;)  well done my friend...on ALL your clean time collectively...

Lisa

[kyle505]

Holy cow!! Many congrats!!! You are one of the folks I pay attention to on this site; you are able to mix a straight forward approach with genuine caring.
A year is fantastic...
K

[WalkTall]

Allow me to pile-on, Ric.  

I thank you, for your thoughtful and insightful posts.  I admire you, for reaching a HUGE milestone in your recovery.  I congratulate you, for your determination and perseverance.  

Keep it up, and never look back!

[WODAgirl]

Oh my gosh!!!! That is FABULOUS!!

[digger1976]

Congrats my friend, keep walking the line straight and true, 4 years out of 5 is some achievement. Well done.

Keep up the good work..

[L_Lady]

Congrats Rick!!!  Hope you're having a good anniversary :)