18 years ago this weekend I tried to kill myself...

[RetroLounge]

And today I celebrated 18 years clean and sober!!!

It's been a long bumpy road, but it's damn good to be alive...

Love and hugs!!!

:hug:

Paul (RL)

[PeaceNikki]

1. Let me be the first to congratulate you!

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

12. Thank you...

:hug:

RL

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. I am glad you are alive...

It's a horrible, too horrible thing, to have to survive a loss like that. :loveya:

Congrats.

[RetroLounge]

13. Thank you, my friend...

:loveya:

RL

[TZ]

3. wow

Thats quite an achievement. I'm glad you seem to have your life straight...:hug:

[RetroLounge]

14. Thanks, it's pretty straight, most of the time...

:hug:

RL

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. And we all thank all that is good in this world...

That you failed...

What a huge loss losing you would have been, my dear Paul...

It is damn good to be alive!

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

15. thank you

:hug:

RL

[Flaxbee]

5. Wow - so glad you failed!

:hug:

I didn't know you went through such a tough time, Retro. Glad you're still here, shaking your butt in the bookstore window and posting poetry. What would we do without you? And I mean that seriously - you have really helped so many people here.

[RetroLounge]

17. Hee hee, glad there's no butt-shaking photos...

thanks!

:hug:

RL

[KitchenWitch]

...

:hug:

:loveya:

[RetroLounge]

19. Back at you!

:hug:

:loveya:

RL

[greenbriar]

6. glad you are here

this world is better for it

[RetroLounge]

21. Thank you

:hug:

RL

[NMDemDist2]

7. when you're dying by inches

sometimes it seems logical to go for the whole banana eh?

so glad you had a 'moment of clarity'

we'd be poorer for not knowing the man you are today

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

22. Yes, and glad I was too drunk to finish what i started...

:hug:

RL

[flvegan]

8. I celebrate your successes, but love you for your failure.

Glad you're still with us, buddy.

[RetroLounge]

23. Thanks, me too...

:hug:

RL

[seemunkee]

9. Happy you weren't successful

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

24. Thanks! Me too...

:hug:

RL

[Haole Girl]

10. I'm glad you weren't successful

And glad you were able to remain clean and sober all these years. :hug:

[RetroLounge]

25. Thank you...

:hug:

RL

[Fire Walk With Me]

11. Congrats on 18!

[RetroLounge]

27. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[xchrom]

16. ...

:woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :woohoo:

congrats on 18!!!

[RetroLounge]

28. Thank you muchly!!!

:woohoo:

:hug:

:hi:

RL

[SalmonChantedEvening]

18. Congrats RL!!!

:hug:

That's fantastic.

[RetroLounge]

29. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[LeftyMom]

20. Happy birthday.

Wishing you many more.

[RetroLounge]

30. Many more would be nice...

Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[UrbScotty]

26. :-)

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

31. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[graywarrior]

32. .

:hug: :pals: :headbang: :yourock: :woohoo: :bounce:

Sooooo glad you didn't succeed at that, Retro. Happy sobriety!

[RetroLounge]

33. Thanks!

:hug: :pals: :woohoo: :bounce:

RL

[SPKrazy]

34. I'm glad you didn't succeed again this year...

more than last year even...

The world would be retro-less, and therefore somewhat poorer for it.

18 years rocks d00d!

May 15 was my 23 year sobriety date!

It is damned good to be alive, I can't say that I've had 23 years of awesomeness but on the other hand, nothing has happened in that 23 years that getting high or drunk would have made a lick better!

So I celebrate with you tonight! Congrats to you! :hug: :party:

let's have more years, a day at a time, okay!

:woohoo:

[RetroLounge]

36. It's a deal, my friend!

Congrats on your 23rd! :woohoo:

:hug:

RL

[nomorenomore08]

113. Damn... That's as many years as I've been alive!

I couldn't imagine going that long without a drink, a toke, anything. You must have amazing willpower.

[SoxFan]

35. Thank you for failing

It's good to have you here!

[RetroLounge]

37. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[billyoc]

38. Right on, brother.

6/26/86. :hi:

[RetroLounge]

39. Yay!

:hi:

:hug:

RL

[lizziegrace]

40. Happy Anniversary...

:hug:

I'm glad you're alive. :)

[RetroLounge]

44. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[Tektonik]

41. Glad you're still here

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

45. Me too...

:hug:

RL

[Skip Intro]

42. I've been in the pit, but never down quite that far. Glad you made it out.

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

46. Thanks

:hug:

RL

[leftofthedial]

43. congrats! the world is a better place because you did the right thing.

I'm sober, but clean? I've been summer-izing my patio and gardening all day . . .

[RetroLounge]

47. Thank you

:hi:

RL

[RetroLounge]

48. Monday morning kick

:kick:

RL

[lightningandsnow]

49. That's amazing.

I'm definitely glad you're still here.

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

50. Thanks! Me Too!

:hug:

RL

[Lady Freedom]

51. Sounds like a celebration to me!

[RetroLounge]

52. Now THAT sounds like a party!

:woohoo:

RL

[BlueIris]

53. Woah; thank God you're still here! nt

[RetroLounge]

74. Well, yeah, I gotta thank someone...

:hug:

:hi:

RL

[bertha katzenengel]

54. My warmest congratulations

You're a courageous man.

[RetroLounge]

78. Nah, just lucky...

but thanks!

:hug:

RL

[Phillycat]

55. Fantastic!

18 more! 18 more!

Many hugs to you. :hug:

[RetroLounge]

82. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[mwdem]

56. Congratulations!

So glad you failed. The world is a bit better with you here!

[RetroLounge]

84. Thank you

:hug:

RL

[RainDog]

57. Congrats for being a survivor

so many more stories and layers to people than we know. Glad you made it through that hard time.

[RetroLounge]

85. Thank you

:hug:

RL

[Parche]

58. And You Are Tops In My Book

:hug: :hug: :hug:

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

86. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[krispos42]

59. FAIL

In a good way, of course!

:high5:

[RetroLounge]

87. Thanks

:high5:

:hug:

RL

[Midlodemocrat]

60. I'm glad you weren't successful. The world is a better place with you in it.

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

88. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[NJmaverick]

61. Congrats!

You have something to be quite proud of. It took character, to do what you did.

[RetroLounge]

107. Thank you

:hug:

RL

[Inchworm]

62. Thanks for being here!

Gratz!

:yourock:

[RetroLounge]

108. Thank you

:hug:

RL

[Dangerously Amused]

63. If you would have succeeded, you never would have seduced me into your bed.

"Seduced" being a relative term, given that I got a running start and beat you there by a mile.

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

75. And you are a lot faster than you appear!

:hug:

RL

[Dangerously Amused]

77. Wait. Did you just call me slow? I think you did.

Slow. Hah.

I will KICK YOUR SPEEDY ASS!

[RetroLounge]

90. You gotta catch me first...

:9

RL

[applegrove]

64. You sounds like you got it together. Keep up the good fight.

[RetroLounge]

81. Stopped fighting, surrendered instead...

thanks!

:hug:

RL

[applegrove]

103. I'm an alcoholic. Two years sober (this time) and I know it isn't always

easy - though those momments are spaced further and further apart. So I know you are a trooper. Addictions are hard. And you certainly have overcome completely. Congrats to you.

[RetroLounge]

105. Thanks!

:hi:

:hug:

RL

[Bullwinkle925]

65. Never thought I'd applaud someone's *failure* . . ..

but, good on you! You're a *light* here in the lounge.

Glad you're here.

Warm hugs . . .

[RetroLounge]

91. Thank you

:hug:

RL

[XemaSab]

66. Congratulations on your sobriety!

:pals:

[RetroLounge]

94. Thanks

:hug:

RL

[lost-in-nj]

67. Congratulations!!!! on the 18 years!!!!

but the other thing.....

I'm kinda glad you didn't succeed.....

yanno
ok really glad


:hug:



lost

[RetroLounge]

95. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[Shine]

68. I'm glad you didn't succeed

:hug: Congrats and many blessings on this momentous occasion!

Here's to being Alive, Awake and Aware! :toast:

[RetroLounge]

96. Alive, Awake and Aware!

I like that!

:hug:

RL

[mitchum]

69. I'm glad that you're still here and happy sobriety birthday!

[RetroLounge]

97. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[kedrys]

70. So glad you stayed

:hug: :pals: :loveya: Congratulations and happy anniversary - quite an accomplishment! :bounce:

[RetroLounge]

98. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[Deep13]

71. Hurray for failure!

:headbang:

[RetroLounge]

99. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[snacker]

72. So glad you are here with us today! n/t

[RetroLounge]

100. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[Guava Jelly]

73. Congrats

This is a good thing.
You should be very proud of yourself.

[RetroLounge]

76. Thank you my friend...

and if you are nice, there might be a present in your PM later on...

:D

:hug:

RL

[Guava Jelly]

112. I could only dream

:)

[Callalily]

79. I am so glad that you are

still around. You have enriched many lives here on this message board and I'm confident that you have enriched many lives along your bumpy road.

Thank you!

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

80. Thanks

:hug:

RL

[bigwillq]

83. Congrats to you.

For failing...and staying strong. All the best to you! :hi: :hug:

[RetroLounge]

102. Thanks!

:hi:

:hug:

RL

[FloridaJudy]

89. Congratulations!

BTW, have you seen Craig Ferguson sharing his experience, strength and hope? I love this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bbaRyDLMvA

[RetroLounge]

104. What a great video!

Sounds like my story...

:hug:

RL

[TK421]

92. It's good to have you around....

:thumbsup:

[RetroLounge]

106. THanks!

:hug:

RL

[Aristus]

93. Stay clean and sober, Retro. And stay alive!

:pals:

[RetroLounge]

109. Planning on it!

Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[ceile]

101. Glad you're still here.

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

110. Thanks

:hug:

RL

[YankeyMCC]

111. Thank you for being here

I know I've benefited from your poem posts and other posts and I'm sure those you really know can say they've benifited greatly from your presence. And anyone willing and able to get a book store going has greatly improved the world in general! ;)

[RetroLounge]

114. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[Kutjara]

115. Congratulations, RL! Glad you decided to stick around.

As someone who's been off the sauce for nine years (as of last May 20), I can relate to the "bumpy road" part. Great job on being strong for 18 years!

[RetroLounge]

119. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[mopinko]

116. congratulations

that is just awesome. i know that it is very hard. hang on to it. you are a great asset to the du community.

[RetroLounge]

120. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[mopinko]

121. my father was an alcoholic.

you have given an amazing gift to your girls.

[nomorenomore08]

117. Never attempted suicide, though I've thought about it many times.

But I figure 23 is way too young to check out.

P.S. Congratulations on staying clean/sober for 18 years. I couldn't imagine doing that myself!

[RetroLounge]

118. Yeah, i waited until I was 29 to try...

Didn't wanna miss my 20's...

:hi:

RL