3 THINGS FOR FRIDAY EVE!!!

Good morning!!!  As I usually do, I use my morning drive time to think about my 3 things for the day.  However, as I've watched the drama unfold over the past several weeks, it occurred to me that today, I have only one.

This board and the friendships that have come as a result of it.  It's no secret that some people on here don't like me, but that's life.  I've gotten some recent emails and pm's about the negativity on the board and I will admit that yes, I've been a part of it.  However, I owned my part, apologized to the people who may have been unduly affected by it and taken my lumps.  I seem to have taken more lumps than were actually due me, but that's okay - mostly, they were from people who were only hearing one side of the story - and mature, reasonable people know that there are always two sides to every story.

So if you don't like me, well, guess what?  I'm not losing any sleep over you.  If you're blocked by me, you can pretty much rest assured that you will forever REMAIN blocked and in fact, I probably consider you non-existent.  Outside of this board, I have WONDERFUL friendships, friendships from high school and work that sustain, support and fulfill me.  That's not to say that the friendships I've made on here don't equal or even surpass some of them, but this board is not the be all and end all for me - nor should it be for any of you.

This board has much to offer - but like any good relationship, you have to give support in order to receive support.  So if you feel like you don't belong - I suggest you take a step back, look at your posting history and see what YOU'VE done to support others. 

I've been accused of building a clique, and I've disputed it, but people are going to think what they like.  My real, true friends know the inner me, and know that my inner warmth, beauty and loyalty far outweigh anything I may project on the outside.  If, in fact, a clique is defined by people without whom my life would be much less satisfying, then yes, I say, I have a clique of briques.

Bob Marley has a great saying, "I'm not perfect, I never claimed to be.  But before you point your finger at me, make sure YOUR hands are clean!"  Enough said.  Stop judging me - that's reserved for God, and get to know me and the others on this board.  I promise you won't be disappointed!!!

In closing, I ask you, I'm here to ask for and offer support - what about YOU?

Thanks,

Tia

((( Tia )))

Not much can render me speechless or typeless as the case may be, but you have come close to it.   I have nothing more to say or add other than your post blew me away.  You are so totally honest and giving (almost to a fault) that I do not understand the 'lumps', but as I have come to realize myself with relationships on and off the board  but for the common bond of WLS not everyone is someone I would choose for a friend.  

I read the board daily and don't always post, but I take something from everything I read.  I have always appreciated the love and support you have given me and others.

Hugs & smoochies,

Mo

My sweet Moie!

Wow!!!  You're speechless???  Guess my work here is done!!!  You know me so well that you know I often hide my emotions behind humor and sarcasm.  Only the truly intelligent actually GET me!!!  That you do are one of the longest standing briques in my clique speaks volumes of our relationship. 

I would not be where I am were it not for strong women like you in my life. 

Know that I love you!!!

Tia

Tia,

I have been lurking and hanging out here for over 2 years now and I just don't understand the problem.  In the time I have been here I have never seen you be nasty to anyone so I just don't get the issue people are having, I actually think the ones with the problems are the problems.  You have only exhibited CLASS on this board given great support and information here and I for one think it's a better place because of you.  They seem to hate it here but just can't stay away so that speaks volumes to me and I say if your blocked tough I pick my own friends and you my dear are on my A list :>)

Hugs!!

Stephanie

I named my new cat Bob Marley....LMAO

Steph -

Right backatcha, sweetheart!!!!  I've ALWAYS enjoyed your not-often-enough posts (hint, hint), and value the insight you give.  Don't doubt for a second that I can get nasty when the need arises, but I try to adhere to the Golden Rule!!  Thank you for everything you do and everything you are to me!!

You're tops in my book, too, my friend!!!!  Give Bob a kiss for me!!!  LOL!!! 

Love you,

Tia

hey tia,

I have been bitten by the clique bug as well. People who used to talk to me do not anymore because they decided i was friends with people they do not like so they do not like me. that is life. that won't change who i am kind to, and that is everyone. if someone does something that is wrong, i will call them on it. if that is being mean then so be it. I come here for support. I need alot of it and i try my best to be supportive of everyone else. that is all you can do. the rest is to be left behind.

1. the people who have reached out to me on this board and all over the place. I appreciate it.

2. finally lost the 2-3 lbs i gained while eating during anxiety. so now i have 5 lbs left til 100 lbs lost.

3. multiple chances. i screw up over and over but i keep getting back on track. that is all that is important.

(((Nic)))

I know you've probably lost some friends because you associate with me, but then I guess they weren't friends to begin with, hmmm?

YOU are my friend, and I'm yours, and that's the bottom line.  You constantly amaze me and in case you don't realize it, you've grown so much on the inside while continuing to shrink on the outside.  You continually inspire me by picking yourself up and forging ahead.  That's what successful wls and life is all about!!!

I love ya!!

Tia

I'm going to say this  WOW !

You have kind of rendered me speechhless like Mo.

This board has come to mean a lot too me :  mostly because of the friends I have found here:
to laugh with, cry with , and hang out with.

These past 2 years ( I'll count my preop posting days) have been difficult at times but
made easier because I knew whatever was going on in my life I had a place to come
too where I could find support.  And you my friend were one of the first to welcome
me and I thank God for you and all my friends I have found thru OH.

I have blocked a few people its true but for the most part I simply ignore the post that
I find offensive -  We are a free country and people are free to post , say and think what they want-  I have referred to the board as a dysfunctional family at times but FAMILY is
the prominent word here.    You are right the only one to judge anyones life is GOD -

There is an old saying " If you cann't find anything good to say:  Don't say anything"

I hope I have offered as much support to others as I have found here myself.

 

Peace my friends
 

DP -

Another speechless?  Damn, I'm GOOD!!!! 

You, my still-lives-at-home-sista, sustain me every day.  Your constant love, support and encouragement has gotten me through some dark times.  I'm glad to know that I do the same for you.

Love you, love you, love you,

Tia

I have tried really hard to stay out of the conflicts that have arisen on this board from time to time. I do this because I feel that I am not qualified to make a judgement of any other person based on information I read here. We as human beings are much more complex than words on a page and our personalities are quite diverse.

I come to this board because I am a WLS warrior, fighting the battle of my life. No matter how supportive my friends and family are, and they indeed have been supremely supportive, I recognized that I needed the connection with others like me. Only fellow WLS warriors can relate to the world we have come from and the world we are trying to build for the best possible rest of our lives.

Although I had heard about OH before surgery, I really did not spend much time here until I met Darla. We go to the same gym and had developed a frienship there.  During several of our conversations, she mentioned this board and the kind of information and support she gained from it. So I decided to check it out and little by little I found myself participating,

I stay on this board because of the support, comraderie, freindship, love, and butt-kicking I receive whenever I need it from a variety of perspectives. I can only hope that I have been able to reciprocate. I enjoy being able to give to others. Those who have reached out to me, have made me feel welcome and have come to mean so much to me in my daily life. I also extend my support and friendship to all who post here and welcome the opportunity to develop additional friendships as the membership grows.

This next statement, I direct specifically to you, Tia, because you started this thread today. Thank You - Thank You for your support, enouragment, experience, friendship, and humor.  I value you for the person I have come to know. You never hesitate to find the right words I need to hear in any given situation. Even as much as you try to give many of us, I hope you let me and others give back to you as well. As I mentioned above, this is a life-long battle we fight. We all have our demons and struggles as well as successes and special moments.

In wrapping up, I also want to thank all of the rest of you who have reached out to me. I have been fortunate to meet and get to know and value many of you. I look forward to continuing to get to know existing members as well as the new ones as they come along.

Have a wonderful day!

Debbie