This might get mushy and it isn't even about turkey

It's about friendships formed because of this board, and I just want to step out in public and thank Air Princess, Deb 25, threelegged kat and Donna for being there for me recently. I know that some people on this board think Donna is poison, but I want to stand up right now and tell you that you have her all wrong. She may be blunt and to the point, but she has the widest heart and the sharpest wit. Deb 25 even through all my tears of late, you have helped me hold it together with your advice and your never-ending source of optimism. Darlene, even with all your own troubles you reached out and touched me when I was hurting and reminded me of my humanity and the laughter that helps to guide me through my troubles. You are amazing. And Air- what can I say about you? You are generous to a fault, funnier than a kitten with a ball of yarn and smart beyond your years. I am so glad that this board has allowed me the opportunity to know you all in the way that I do, and even through my dad's recent trauma, you guys have helped to keep me strong and on-course and have let me know what to do and how to do it. For that I could never repay you......

Why am I speaking out in public instead of emailing you all? Because it is my hope that there will be other people who read this, who will start to PM each other, or share something on this board about themselves beyond their love for cats that will spark another person to say to themselves that they can either help this person, or that they want to get to know that person better and more friendships such as we share will form. Friendships like this, made without actually meeting each other face to face is one of the blessings of the Internet. There may be some drawbacks to the Internet, but this is not one of them. And if you miss out on reaching out and touching someone's lives the way these four women have touched mine, well.............then it's clearly your loss. And to my friends, I love you and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Mary Anne,

You made me cry!

While I may be very blunt at times, you will find that I am ALWAYS there for my friends. That is the one strength I inherited from my parents. In order to have friends, you need to be one first.

It took years of worrying about what everyone else thought about my opinions, actions etc. for me to finally get a back bone and not give a rat's patoot what other people think. And while I do have my moments, and seem rough around the edges, I believe in saying what I feel. If you ask my advice, always make sure you want it, because you may not like what I have to say.

Mary Anne, Colby, Deb25 and 3LK, even though we have never met, I feel as though I've known you guys forever. We have a very strong bond, something that usually takes years to build. You will always have my friendship and loyalty, no matter what.

I love you guys!!

Love,

Donna

I feel very fortunate that I've been able to make true friendships through this board. You're right Mary Anne, it's about going beyond the surface chit chat. If don't ever talk about anything of substance you never get to know someone. What makes them happy, sad, etc. It's gotta be more than superficial stuff.

I just want to second that about Donna. She's an amazing person with a heart of gold. I wish everyone had a friend like Donna. She's been there for me on numerous occasions, and always makes me feel better.

I've made some incredible friendships because of this board, and I'm so blessed for that. They all add different things to my life. I've never laughed so much in my life, with people I've never actually met.

As long as we're all crying anyway(don't Bogart that box of Kleenex, Donna); I just want to add that you five crazy ladies are the best thing that has happened to this old ThreeLeggedKat in over a decade! I could aso list several others I have gotten to know because of this board and I value each of them as well and hope to go on to know them better with time. . . . . BUT. . . . . The six of us, well, it is just beyond any words I have right now. Thanks to each of you for being exactly who you are and knowing just the right times to sympathize, cry, pray, rant, analize, b**ch-slap, or a$$ kick as the circumstances merit!
What a"Motley" Six-Pack of Hormone Spueing Feline Defending Sisters !!!
:egypt: :girly1:

3LK,

Which one am I?



Donna

well, which one is me?!?!

is it the princess?

I am the hormonal one!

That was beautiful Mary Anne!

I hesitated a moment before replying to this post, because it felt kinda intimate and I didnt want to "Butt In", but the ladies involved are those I feel closest to (and Bod too!), and I just wanted to say I think your post says it all!

I love this forum, and although I rarely send a PM, this is the place I visit even more than my e-mails or other forums, because I feel I can always find a friend here, even if I dont post.
This is the place I come to find normal peeople...and get in touch with who I am when I dont HAVE to be someone else.

I'm so glad I found this site, and feel honored to have "met" all of you!

I want to also say that Donna is a great person. Although I've only spoken to her by phone a couple of times, I think she is a genuine good hearted woman and I can't wait to actually meet her in person! ( hint hint Donna, vacation to Cape Cod???? ) And everyone else on this board is also great, very kind sweet people.
I am so happy I found this place!

We are still planning the 2005 Cat Site Family reunion, right? I started saving change in a jar on my dresser to pay for my trip

NO, WAIT; I used that to buy 1/2 price Halloween candy. . . . .

Oh, well, I will start saving again tomorrow. I promise!

Can't wait to meet everyone. We still get to meet at Rene's place on Cape Cod (?) I got a sleeping bag!

oooooooh, if you meet at Rene's on the Cape I can come too!!!!!!!!!! Yippee!! I am about 10 min from the Bourne Bridge that goes to Cape Cod!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Perhaps it appeared to be intimate, but what I was trying to convey is that the people here are so multi-faceted that when you take the time to get to know them on that deeper level what happens is surprising. That people who have never shared a cup of coffee together at a table, or gone shopping or just for a jog can reach out and touch a part of us, the friendship part and transport us back to the days of high school where we passed notes with good friends ) or shared our innermost secret crushes, or just sat on the floor put a stack of records on the turntable, drank Orange Crush after school sharing caramal corn and laughs. That is the type of friendship this board brings about if you let it.

So when you come here, you see all these peoples and you have a chance to get to know them. Some from other countries with lifestyles so diverse you WANT to know them to taste their life, and then you PM someone (passing them notes like you did in school) and you feel the water and see if they want to come in and swim. At first you tread water, then you go into deeper water as they take you through their life and you find that you have so much in common that you are left with an ache because you can't get together with them (especially when they are hurting) That is what I was trying to convey in posting this out here. Take the time to get to know those who interest you and then just sit back and let that friendship develop and know you have made a friend for life.

Hissy,

Amen to that!!

Donna

I also enjoy you women(and men). I don't know anyone in person, but I can tell that all of you can be great friends. You all give me great advice and support. I can get very addicted to this site.
Thank you all for being there for me.

I don't feel comfortable chatting on line normally. On this site, however, it feels like I am talking to long lost friends. I am so glad I found new friends! You are all angels!

I love this site so much. I love to read and learn about the people here. I feel priviledged just getting to see the friendships that have developed on this site. I just haven't figured a way for myself to open up on here to meet people or make friends. Most of the time when I post I feel like I just posted something really stupid but I leave it anyways thinking maybe I'm just being funny. I did delete one post though after I had posted because I didn't feel comfortable enough posting it. I find it really hard to open up to meet people and make friends. I never really had (and still don't) many friends. When I was younger I was always the kid who got picked on and had rumors started about me so I would just keep to myself. I guess that's where this comes from; being afraid of letting people get to know me in fear of rejection or being made fun of. I know I wouldn't be made fun of on here but you get the picture. My only "true" friend is my best friend and we have been best friends since we were twelve years old.

Anyways this site is just so great! I love to contribute and help whenever I can even if I'm not letting people get to know me. I really enjoy getting to participate.

Us newbies should get a little group going with chats. That way can get as close as these guys. I think it is great that you guys have become life long friends - you never have enough of those. Anyone who feels like chatting, just PM me or email me at [email protected].

3LK,

Well, I THOUGHT I was going to be the hormonal one, but Hissy beat me to it. So, I guess I'll have to settle for



Donna