A Holiday Message to All TCS Members

I don't have the words to say it any better than many others ahead of me here (me speechless, that's rare...), so just a huge "Yeah, that", and a wish for a peaceful Christmas for you, Mike and all your beloveds.

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

I don't have the words to say it any better than many others ahead of me here (me speechless, that's rare...), so just a huge "Yeah, that", and a wish for a peaceful Christmas for you, Mike and all your beloveds.

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Ditto that. You are one of the great hearts of this board MA. We couldn't let you go through this alone.

Have a wonderful Christmas, and may the new year bring you and Mike health, happiness and peace.

Add me to the list of agreeing with everything that has been said..

MA you are one of the people in my life that I truly look up too, I don't need to know you "in real life", I can see here what a strong, loving, TRUE person you are, for that I thank you.
I sincerely wish you only the best, Mike as well, during the holidays, and for the year to come...
Merry Christmas MaryAnne~
Ashley

Hissy I am not good with words,in person or on line,but anyway here goes,you my friend are a kind and caring person,and this board would not be here if not for you.And I love you,and you have helped me in so many ways,and I could not ever thank you enough. peace and love to you and Mike.

Glad that Mike's getting better. You'd better take care of yourself, too - not too many people "get" my warped sense of humor and I need a kindred soul to talk to sometimes.


(P.S.: Wear the T-shirt - it'll make you laugh )

So glad to hear that Mike is getting the care he needs. I hope you two have a wonderful Christmas.

That goes for everyone else here. I haven't been here for long but you guys have been very kind and welcoming. I hope everyone has a great holiday!!!




Katie

I have to agree, you have done so much for this community. There is no way I could thank you enough for what you do everyday. When you posted about the troubles you were having there was no way I could just read it and leave, you were there for me when I had to put down Mittens. If there was anyway I could be there for you I would try. Thank you so much for being who you are, I just hope that sometime in our lives we can meet.

Hissy
Although i dont know you very well i have seen that you are such an interesting woman, with all that was going on in your life and now being so strong. I admire all the work you do with all the animals and the site, and with everyone that needs help.
I am really glad that Mike is getting better.
I wish you the best of luck for this christmas and for the new 2005 year.
You wrote something that i had realised today while i was in the hospital, Christmas isnt about something you dont have, its to cherish the things you do have.

As i look back now i was such a spoilt brat! But im glad that i see life different now and i do feel so much more mature.

I Hope in 2005 everything will brng you happiness

This is yet another testiment of what an amazing woman you are, Mary Anne. You give so much of yourself daily, offering love, strength and wisdom to all who are fortunate enough to cross your path. You are drawn to give a nurturing, loving home to all in need, and here in your time of crisis, you have taken the time to thank us! I agree that the love and support shown to you speaks volumes of the deep relationships which make up the core of our wonderful site. I continue to pray for you and Mike and you know I am always right here. Having never seen your face in person, having never given you the hug so many times I've sent in words and feelings, I love the woman you are and cherish your friendship always. My heart is with you.

Originally Posted by hissy

The fact that I almost lost Mike, because in part I did not do what a good wife should, and help him with his struggles with weight and diet and instead added to his burden by continuing my own self-destructive eating right alongside with him. And in the end it cost both of us dearly.

It's odd, when I reached out to the woman who brought me into the world, and bared my soul to her about what I was experiencing, I got shot down quickly. It was along the lines of that old adage- "you made your bed, now lie in it." But when I finally reached that point of inner self destruction, and posted here, to people that I have never met, it was responded to with such kindness and private concerns and caring messages that it literally blew me away.

This community of cat lovers, is one of the most caring communities I have ever had the privilege of joining. I hope and pray that all of you, in your own special way can find the time this holiday season to reflect on what you do have, and not concentrate on what you don't. Know that just in being in this life, and sharing your life with loved ones and furry friends, you are ahead of the game.

I am humbled to be among you.

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Hissy, I too, do not know you as well as some but, I can say this. Because you ate destructively together does not make you a bad wife. I believe when we don't want to face what's happening we tend to go on living as we normally do so that we don't have to face the truth of what is happening. I think this close call is better called a "wake-up call" to both of you. And it will better both your health.

Sometimes I think God likes to give us a strong jolt to wake us up rather than make us sleep forever, if you know what I mean?

As far as your Mom and us at the site go, well, your Mom sounds very wise. That is it say, she sounds like she's made you into the type of woman you are, which is, strong and caring and very loved and respected. By her words she toughened you up and said "You made your bed, now lie in it", I think what she's saying is "Do with what you have to help what you can." And that's exactly what you are doing, and by you turning to us here you received the softer side from people with no faces that you knew would give you words of support and love and mixed it with the wisdom from your Mom so that you would know what to do.

And Hissy, you too, are exactly that, "Ahead of the game". When an emergency happens, people show their true colors. My therapist has always told me that you can judge a person best by how she/he asks under pressure. Just look how you pulled through this!!!!

You said you were humbled to be among us....well MA, we simply allow you to bring out who you are by asking for your help. Seems to me we're the ones who are truly humbled by your friendship, love, and wisdom (from which you received from your Mom). Love and care for you both

Not many get second chances - this is yours and Mike's. Take it and don't let go!

Originally Posted by ccoccocats

You said you were humbled to be among us....well MA, we simply allow you to bring out who you are by asking for your help. Seems to me we're the ones who are truly humbled by your friendship, love, and wisdom (from which you received from your Mom). Love and care for you both

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Hissy,

I know we don't know each other and I have not been a member very long, but I wish you and Mike all the best for the holidays. You seem to be an amazing person with so much love in your heart to share, and I know that health and love are coming your way for x-mas.

Have a wonderful holiday...

Happy Holidays, Hissy. You are a wonderful writer. I think you've touched more people here then you know. I believe you've done more for more people then you can imagine. I know that there are more people here that admire and respect you who kinda 'lurk' more then participate. I was almost thinking at the start of your post that you were leaving to spend more time with your family. But... I guess we all ARE a family. Stay safe.

merry christmas to you and mike may Godbless you always and thank you for all you do for us here here at the catsite thanks for being are friends and i'm glad you can open up to us and share your feeling we love you hissy

take care

It's less than 12 hours before Christmas here and I wish you an Mike the best of the season. It's great to hear that Mike is getting better.
Mary Anne, thank you for your help and advise in feline and non-feline matters! God bless you!

All I can say, MA, is that you need to stop beating yourself up over your choices in this. Mike has been beyond stubborn about his health all along, despite your attempts to help him. I am glad that he is on the mend and hope that things continue to go well for both of you.

Originally Posted by DragonLady

MA you have been an inspiration to a large number of us. You always continue where many of us may have fallen. Your compassion has just been mirrored back to you.

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What a splendid thing to say. Had my mouth not been so full of Wheaties because that's all I've had time for tonight, I would've struggled to say something as eloquent and true as this, Mary Anne.

I do know that sometimes those who have the biggest gift of healing rarely use it on themselves.


Always,
Elizabeth, Eric, and Sasha
Coccocats: Sometimes I think God likes to give us a strong jolt to wake us up rather than make us sleep forever, if you know what I mean?

I am not at all embarrassed to say this in public ... but, my dear friend, I do love you dearly. I don't know what I would do without you in my life. You have been there for me in times of both a positive nature and of negative - giving of yourself in ways you cannot know how much I appreciate ... So, I say again, I love you dearly and always will.

From the heart,

~gf~

What they all said, MA. I could try to put it in my own words, but I'm afraid the tears are in the way. What I will say is please be gentle with yourself -- hindsight is 20/20 vision. Spend your energy on healing, not beating yourself up.

A Blessed, love-filled Christmas to you. May 2005 deal you an easier hand. My prayers are with you both.

Mary Anne, I think if we were all in the same room that you would perish from an extended bout of "hug exhaustion". I didn't realize you had any of your own problems that you thought would contribute to Mike's. We know this though: The way you care for Mike and any living thing that's around you will always overcome any stubbornness or obstacles in the way. You could inject the old cliche of "love conquers all", but it takes more than just that, and you've got that part covered too. We think you can get through anything on your own, but we're still here anyway. At least that's how I think we all see it here.