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Gratitude

© Sharon Sawyer

Gratitude

Uploaded: June 05, 2013

Description

SECOND PLACE WINNER ~ JUNE 2013 ~ FLOWERS

Today I am celebrating my 27th year of recovery from substance abuse.
Thursday I'm going to celebrate with an old friend who's AA birthday is the same day as mine and he has 60 years of sobriety.
I am very grateful that my Higher Power, whom I choose to call God, healed me of my desire to drink or drug...
"One Day At A Time" I thank my family and friends for their love and support through all these years.

EFP ~ 6/05/2013

Comments

Colette M. Metcalf June 05, 2013

I am SO happy for you!! Congratulations to you and your friend! This is beautiful, Sharon!! #1531156

Joannie Bertucci level-classic June 07, 2013

A great big Happy Birthday to you Sharon! My dad celebrated his 48th birthday with AA before he passed! God knew what you had in store as a photographer and His love and mercy and your love pulled you to your higher place! Stunning image! :-) #10725474

Sharon Sawyer June 19, 2013

Thank you very much Colette, Joanna and Joannie.

Joannie, I'm so happy to hear your father had so many years of sobriety. Yes, God has lead me on an interesting path alright. I only found my passion for photography when I bought a digital camera on vacation. With a bulging disk in my neck I couldn't play sports or do the things I had enjoyed in the past so my camera became my therapy. Yes, He had something else in store for me.... I found photography was my passion and I'm now addicted to it. A much better thing to be addicted to I'd say. LOL I really appreciate your support, you are my greatest cheerleader and I appreciate your years of support and encouragement. God bless you!!! #10738797

Tammy Espino June 20, 2013

Congratulation to you!! Beautiful capture!!! #10739860

Joannie Bertucci level-classic June 20, 2013

Congrats on your EP Sharon, it couldn't have happened to a more beautiful image! No EP's for June and only 2 for May, people are still getting EP's for May after the fact...I give up! :-) #10740252

Sharon Sawyer June 21, 2013

Hang in there kiddo. It only takes one EFP to become a First Place Winner. In which I'll have you know I have yet to receive one and you have. You're just in a valley right now and you soon will be rising to the top. Don't give up and get discouraged which I know is hard not to do but judges change and things will turn around for you. Have a blessed Friday!

Thank you for your kind comments on my ranunculus image. #10740371

Kathryn Wesserling June 22, 2013

You make me so proud to know you, Sharon. What an awesome anniversary (for you and others who have reached that moment, too.)

The flower caught my attention because it resembles an Artichoke so closely (one of my favorite A-List foods!)

May God keep blessing you (He is my higher power!) #10742061

Sharon Sawyer June 22, 2013

Tammy, I'm sorry I missed you, my friend. Thank you for your kind comments.

Kathy, you really touched my heart with your kind words. I give all the glory to God as I could not have done this without Him. I had tried everything on my own power and it didn't work but when I turned my will and my life over to the care of God, the cravings and desire to use left me. To me that was a miracle because my last year of using was pure insanity and my life was out of control. So I appreciate you and your support and I'm glad we are BP friends.

The flower reminds me of an onion and in recovery you are always peeling back the layers getting to the core of your hurts and reason for drugging or drinking. Using or drinking are just the symptoms of something much deeper.

I'm happy we share the same HP who I'm proud to say is God. He does bless me everyday with the community of BetterPhoto and I'm so glad I found it.

Blessings to you and to Tammy!!! :)
#10742106

Sheryl Sturges June 28, 2013

Sharon, your candor is inspiring and your photograph is simply lovely. A win for sure! #10747160

Tammy Espino July 30, 2013

Congrats on your outstanding finalist!:) beautiful!! #10788482

Joannie Bertucci level-classic July 30, 2013

I'm praying this is your 1st place win Sharon...you so deserve it! You should have a whole floral garden of 1st place wins! :-) #10789173

Ken Smith level-classic July 31, 2013

Congrats on this beauty, Sharon....sure to see it make gold...and congrats on your recovery from substance abuse. 27 years seems like a long time ago, but I bet it was like yesterday that you took that first step into your new life. #10789307

Tammy Espino July 31, 2013

Congratulations on your win! #10790453

Peggy Pfister level-classic July 31, 2013

Superb photo, Sharon! Congrats on your photographic achievement, and your life achievement. #10790595

Joannie Bertucci level-classic July 31, 2013

Why to go girl friend, a gold win is a gold win! :-) #10790751

Colette M. Metcalf August 01, 2013

Very HAPPY to see this get GOLD, Sharon!!! Congratulations to you!!!!! #10790943

Renee Doyle August 01, 2013

Congratulations on this beautiful winner Sharon! #10791169

William C. Raco level-classic August 01, 2013

Congratulations on the win, Sharon
Even moreso on the significance of the date and your success in overcoming the addiction
Best wishes
#10791179

Amanda D. Austwick level-classic August 01, 2013

Again Congratulations on your Gold Win, and your life achievement! #10791954

Sharon Sawyer August 01, 2013

Thank you all for your kind and supportive, congratulatory comments.

I appreciate each and every one.

Have a great summer and happy shooting!!! #10792918

Jeff Robinson level-deluxe August 02, 2013

A Well Deserved and special Win for you - Congrats Sharon!! #10793147

Ken Smith level-classic August 02, 2013

Awesome, Sharon. Congrats on your gold!! #10793313

JO ANN CLEVELAND August 03, 2013

Congratulations on your 2nd Place GOLD Win Sharon!

BUT....the bigger win is your conquer over the addictions! My dad died at 56 due to smoking and alcohol! He at least had 5 years sobriety. As my life went on, I worked 9 years in Mental Health and worked in the Alcohol Program...I have seen sooo many blessed with sobriety and so pleased too!

Have a great week end girol!

jo ann c. #10794562

Susan M. Smith August 06, 2013

Sharon, what a stunning beauty and so fitting for your celebration of good health & happiness! Much more to you and congratulations :) #10797909

Stefania Barbier level-classic August 09, 2013

Congratulations on your gorgeous win!!! #10801511

Karen Celella August 26, 2013

Gorgeous, Sharon. #10821596

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