* Time for me to board that train!

[Bigpapa2483]

Ã,“No one likes a quitterÃ,”, my parents always told me growing up. I have for 25 years now believed that statement in everything I have ever done, until now.

Exactly 100 days ago I was on my way back from running my last golf tournament of the season. As IÃ,’m sure most of you did, I loved throwing in a big fatty while driving, especially on long road trips. Without hesitation I threw one in and dug around for one of the 15 bottles I had in my back floorboard. Music was loud, windows were downÃ,….life was good. It was at this very moment I truly believe that God shook me to the core. I found myself starring at my reflection in the rear view mirrorÃ,….fat lip and all. I found myself disgusted at the fact that this shitÃ,….this cancer causing, teeth rotting, gum decayingÃ,…..shit was running my life. I felt ashamed at the fact that my happiness was dependant on the contents of a tin can that was sitting on my passenger seat. I spit my dip out.

My story is nothing in comparison to a lot of my brothers here. I didnÃ,’t start dipping until 18, my freshman year of college, when I was introduced to it as a way to stay up and study for finals, but like a lot of youÃ,….the nic bitch grabbed ahold of me with the very first taste. I didnÃ,’t have to hide it. My girlfriend at the time had grown up around it her whole life and even enjoyed the smell of it. I was playing collegiate golfÃ,…so most everyone on the team was using while on the golf courseÃ,…it was considered our Ã,“birdie juiceÃ,”. My mom even found out about it, and even though she was upsetÃ,….what could she doÃ,… I was no longer living in her house. I say all that to state I had no boundaries with it. I never once thought about quitting. Sure, I knew it was bad for meÃ,…I knew it caused cancerÃ,…. but for me there was always an excuse. Ã,“DonÃ,’t worry about it Carter, your still youngÃ,… youÃ,’ve only been dipping for a short timeÃ,…. you donÃ,’t have to worry about anything until your older.Ã,”

So here I am, 25 years old, looking at myself in my rear view mirrorÃ,….completely and utterly disgusted. I remember I turned off the radio. I had a heart to heart with GodÃ,…and made a promise to himÃ,…that I was forever quit. I returned home 3 hours later and immediately got rid of all my stashes. They were goneÃ,….it was done. The first week sucked. I didnÃ,’t know how to react. I was a complete asshole at work, I couldnÃ,’t sleep, I had headaches, and blah blah blahÃ,….you guys know the drill. There were several occasions where I thought I might caveÃ,….but every time I was closeÃ,… I remembered the promise I madeÃ,…and I got through it. Several weeks went byÃ,…and I was up and down. Some days were good, some days were pure hellÃ,…. but I was determined not to cave.

Day 30 of my quit Ã,â€" The day I will remember forever. I was at work wasting time on my computer when I decided to look around for some quit tobacco resources. I landed here. I spent an hour or so just looking around the siteÃ,…gathering info and knowledge that I knew would help me stay quitÃ,….and thenÃ,… I saw a Live Chat Link. From the very beginning of me logging into that chatÃ,… my life was completely changed. I was welcomed with open arms by everyone there. They couldnÃ,’t believe that I had gotten to day 30 by myselfÃ,….but were also so quick to tell me not to loosen upÃ,….that the war had not been won. I logged in everydayÃ,….learned how to post rollÃ,…met all of you unbelievable quittersÃ,….and found a family in people from all walks of life. I cannot begin to express my gratitude to everyone here. Whether it be kicking me in the ass helping me get through the fog on certain daysÃ,…to making extremely gay conversation EVERYDAYÃ,… to seeing how vets welcomed new quitters and showed them the ropesÃ,… you guys and gals are simply amazing!

While I could spend hours thanking everyone for what they have done for meÃ,… I do want to recognize a few that have made a special dent in my quit.

First and foremost Loot. He was the very first one to say HI on my first day on chat. He showed me how to post rollÃ,….and really made me feel welcomed.

Theo, BBJ, CJ Ã,â€" I remember you guys being there early on tooÃ,…and I thank you for all your help.

Monty Ã,â€" I appreciate all the laughs. Still waiting for you to hook me up on Craigslist!

Timmay Ã,â€" I think I have been added into the GL by you more times than anyone! Thanks for always reminding me of my extremely gay comments!

Sluggo, kd4jet, RedtrainÃ,â€" a few great men! Always checking in on me to see how im doing.

Kiddo Ã,â€" have truly enjoyed talking with yaÃ,…and Im still waiting for those handcuffs!

Mike1228 Ã,â€" Ã,“ My late night brotherÃ,” Ã,â€" okay wow that sounds badÃ,…. But I guess thatÃ,’s typical!! It can be 3 in the morningÃ,…. And MikeÃ,’s gonna be there for laughs!

Jwendell Ã,â€" thanks for all your supportÃ,… always be a Jan quit brother

And even some new quitters!

Hoss and squeaky Ã,â€" great job you men are doing! Keep it upÃ,…you ever need anything let me know!

Bengalsgirl Ã,â€" thanks for being my new gf! And thank you for giving me the inspiration to create our entire Ã,“relationshipÃ,” via emoticons! 

And finallyÃ,…

Fizzle Ã,â€" Thanks for always being there for meÃ,…even in my thickest of fogs. You truly have been an amazing friend and I cant thank you enough for that. IÃ,’m so proud of you and your quitÃ,… and I know the HOF is just around the corner for you! (Your pez dispensers are on the way!) lol

I know I am leaving so many people out who have helped me in some way or another and for that I apologize. I want to finish by sayingÃ,…to all you HOFÃ,’ersÃ,…. Look out... BigpapaÃ,’s in da house now! You guys have been an inspiration from the beginning and I look forward to learning so much more from all of you. To those who are almost to the HOF. Be proud of yourselfÃ,…first and foremostÃ,… you have accomplished something greatÃ,… and I will be waiting for you on the trainÃ,…screaming out Ã,“all aboardÃ,”! Lastly, to the new quitters.... Keep your heads upÃ,… keep your fight strongÃ,… we all believe in you hereÃ,…and are willing to help you in any way we can. Its not easyÃ,… it never will beÃ,… but Im here to tell you that it can be beat. Your life will drastically change for the better, and I guarantee you will become thankful of the day you finally decided Ã,….Ã,”to stay quit!Ã,”

1/18/2009 - I remember the day I learned about the HOF. It was day 34Ã,….and 100 seemed an eternity away, but here I amÃ,… sitting at my computer 66 days later, having been a HOFÃ,’er for an hour and nineteen minutes and proud to say that what my parents always taught me, Ã,“No one likes a quitterÃ,”, is not always the case!

Carter Ã,â€" Bigpapa2483