James, you're keeping a very cool head during this whole process. And lord knows we've all been down a rocky road at some point in our lives.

I've got a Yukon humi from CI that's not being used. 50 count I think. Already seasoned. Yours. Just tell me where to send it.
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Hmm. Well apparently today is a test from above about coping. I just got a text from my best friend from high school that a friend of ours we played football with was killed in the line of duty last night.

Stunned and speechless. Man...the world is a interesting place.
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Well apologies in advance if I post whore a bit today to keep my mind straight as right now its just me and the weiner dog and she's a great listener but not much of a conversationalist.
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As long as you contribute you don't have to apologize James
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So sorry to hear about your friend, James.
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Very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend James.
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I didn't even see this. I'm sorry man, that sucks.
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sorry bout your friend James
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Condolences on the loss of your friend.

My bro and I were both at the halfwheel christmas party at TG, too bad you weren't on CA yet. That was a good time, I think we left at 1 AM :-) The first pic with the nub on the corn cob holder is my cigar. If you ever want to get together for a smoke, I am frequently at Burn.
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Ha!!! I remember that picture being taken! We ended up at Fuegos in Minneapolis that night until about 4am. We left laughing that only idiots like us would be out till 4am, sober, and could get pulled over for erratic driving from being nicotine hammered! You obviously know Kole then I assume. The short bald guy in the pic with Brooks. He is a riot to hang out with and for as young as he is he's a freaking Encyclopedia Britannica of cigars and everything related to them.

Here is my public eMail if you want to shoot me your contact info. Its auto-forwarded to my private eMail. Sounds funny but as BHalbrooks knows, there is a rhyme behind the reason. jameswinters343@gmail.com

Thank you all for the kind words and your Brotherhood.
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So sorry about your horrible recent times! Smokes CAN be replaced, friends cannot. I pray for God's Peace and Strength for all who love your friend in this time of mourning!
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James, very sorry about your loss sir. Hang in there and congratulations on staying sober during it. Steve
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Condolences on the loss of your friend.
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Sorry for your loss.
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I am sorry for the loss of your friend.
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My condolences.

Keep up the positive attitude. You will be back on your feet soon enough.
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Sorry for your Ioss brother. Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. Hope it turns around foryou.
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Man James when it rains it pours, sorry to hear about your friend. Hang in there.
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Thank you. It can and will turn around I have no doubts about that whatsoever. Just takes time and if there is anything I've learned in the last 18 - 24 months and newly sober is that it takes time, but its not always on your time table. There comes a point and time in life where you have to realize as much as we have free will, we don't, and a higher power sets us on the course we are on for a reason. The key is being able to let go and not always seeking the "why" behind it. Mindfulness. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come and all we know is today, so live for today. :-)
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The worst part of learning these new coping skills is my inability to "let go" at night hence its a very dark place at 3am...going to a meeting just to feel like a human.
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