Oh my LORD I just now found this. Shad, you are such a special person and I adore you. Of course I did not take it wrong. I love you still as much as ever.

The other place is filled with all sorts of people. I find I wear a slightly different hat over there in trying to be a help and support for all of them. Quite a few of the people there are older...50's and 60's. They mostly have a Christian viewpoint. They all tend to be set in their ways and seem to be easily upset.

The only thing I can surmise is that it works for them.

What do I mean by that... hmmm thinkin... I think many of them are scared. If something does not fit into what they have all been taught, it is hard to relate...and their fear drives them to defense mechanisms.

A motto I have adopted while over there posting is... "When in Rome...(do as the Roman's do)" I understand their beliefs, and understand why they act and react the way that they do...even though I don't always share the strengths of their convictions.

It makes me sad when they are upset, but also makes me sad when things can't be taken with a grain of salt and discussed...even if it is heated.

I have worn all kinds of hats over there. I have worn, support, love, care, concern, voice of reason, reality 101, kick in the seat of the pants, and this latest time I tried to wear the hat of diplomacy. I don't think I like that one very much. It did not fit very well. I think I wound up botching the whole thing. (It was a long post though huh.. hehe)

I don't post a whole lot over there these days. There are so many new people that it does not feel like the same place anymore. It is also beginning to feel like a depressing place. Loads of new people coming in with some pretty serious concerns and I am finding it is bringing me down to try to address all of them. I have moved to "lurker status"...and read quite a bit, but I am very selective in the things I decide to post to.

The whole situation over there was a very trying one because I could feel how upset some of the natives were becoming...from both sides of the issue...and there was little I could do about it...except feel it. (Empathic?)

As far as I am concerned, you were stating what you felt and believed. I did not take it personally. In fact...when you said there were probably only 3 or 4 people on that site you felt you had support from.. I knew I was one of them.. hehehe.

Anyway..rest assured I still love you as much as always and we are still friends. ..no worries.

I luvs you!

Luvs,

itty

~Life is not always what we make it...sometimes it is better~