ONE THING FOR FRIDAY!!
I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am chaperoning K's 13th bday pool party/sleepover tomorrow (her bday was in June), and am in charge of brownies!! LOL!! We're going to order pizza and have tossed and fruit salads, too, but brownies have been specifically demanded!! I'm physically not going to be able to do much thanks to the pain, so you may just see me on here more than normal.
Besides the obvious, that it is Friday, I have one very important thing for which to be grateful.
1. This board. I know I've used this as a grateful many times, but I don't think it can be said often enough. I am very, very grateful that a board exists where like minded people can come together in the name of support. IMO, obesity is as pervasive a disease as diabetes, and like diabetes, it has touched every aspect of my life. Socially, physically, mentally - every struggle that I have had in the past can somehow be linked to obesity. Not blamed on, just attributed to. When I discovered this board, I felt as if I'd found a home. I am very fortunate in that I've always been surrounded by loving supportive family and friends. However, not everyone has been as lucky as I, and many people have admitted that life didn't begin until wls. Being trapped by your fat is a horrible feeling, so OH in general, and the Maryland Board in particular, has been a welcome oasis in a storm for so many of us.
I cherish the family that I have come to know and love through my experiences here. I'm especially grateful that we're a relatively "small" group, affording us the opportunity to have get-togethers and see each other as often as our schedules will allow. Whether someone uses this board to express thanks to a friend for helping them through a crisis, rejoices in the news of a new addition, mourns the loss of a loved one (furry or not), uses the board to pay a kindness forward or simply uses the board for its original intent - the support and commiseration in the battle to lose weight and become healthier, I think many of us agree that our lives would be much duller and perhaps a little more stressful were it not for the guidance and advice that can be found here.
One beautiful thing about the Internet is that you can be as open or private as YOU choose. It also affords you the opportunity to skip right over issues that you may not feel appropriate or "on topic." I urge you to not take anything TOO seriously - we have enough drama IRL!
I spend time on other boards here on OH, and I can honestly say that there's really not ANY board that specifically deals with wls. I think if that board did exist, it might get pretty boring pretty quickly.
Again, obesity, for many of us, has been a lifelong demon that we've battled, and I, for one, am all for a place that allows me to vent about a boss that's driving me nuts, physical pain, emotional pain, good dates, bad dates, antics of my family and my puppy, etc.
This board has allowed me to come out of my shell somewhat, particularly as far as dating - when I was more obese, I NEVER would've entertained the idea of online dating, let alone told people about it!
Unfortunately, for many of us, depression also comes with pre and post-op life - be it from fear, hormones or insecurity. Again, any place that allows us to be thankful for people (and drugs) to help us combat this is okay in my book!
So, by all means, let's, of course, use this board as it was originally intended. HOWEVER, please don't stop from sharing your joys and sorrows here, too. Because that's what life is - a constant series of ups and downs. And really, aren't they much easier to handle knowing people are in your corner, prepared to yank you off a ledge if need be?
Have a wonderful sun-filled weekend!!! Say a prayer for Helen/Grammom - she REALLY is not doing well, and I hope that I have good news to report after I see her tonight.
Hugs,
Tia
Thank you!!! I was feeling particularly wordy this morning!!!!!
Wow, how much coffee have you had this morning gf?? LOL
Beautiful post!!!!
Were you being funny with the comment about apparantly Flexeril can make you tired? That one does a number on me....... be warned...... don't be planning on driving when you take it.
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
- Anatole France
No, I was being serious - I've never taken Flexeril, so thanks for the heads-up.
Hmmm.....maybe it would improve my driving!
Hugs to you and Bill!
Tia
((( Tia )))
As usual, you have come up with a very thought-provoking and deep thought. I completely agree with your musings about the board and what it means. For me, even though I am 5 plus years post-op, this Maryland board gives me a place to touch base, give and receive support, and just generally put some reality into my life. Yes, I have a life outside of here, and there are times when I don't get a chance to post or even lurk sometimes, but I always find my way back 'home'. The newbies on the board keep me focused on where I came from and what it was like back 'then', because truthfully, as the time passes and the years rack up, I am less able to remember sometimes that I haven't always been the way I am now. I hope that I am able also to offer something .. whether it's the getting out and grabbing life, or the struggles that happen as the years go on. I never made it to 'goal' when I was in my honeymoon period, and I had gained more weight back that I would like to admit, but I can say that I KNOW why and can also admit that it's due to my own non-compliance. The tool works .. I just have to let it work!!!
This board has given me the opportunity to meet people with whom I share the bond of bariatric surgery. Some will become lifelong friends, some may only be in my life because we share that common bond and they will pass out of my life. But I am grateful to have had the opportunity.
Hugs, Mo
Comparison is the thief of joy!
If we spend our time comparing our life/weight loss/body to others, we totally miss what WE have accomplished. Keep in mind how far you have come and what you can do now that you couldn't do weeks/months/years ago. I hate the expression " It's all good", but in this case it fits! Wherever you are in your journey ... It's ALL good!!!
As one of those life-long, on the board and off, friends, I can say that I'm in the same boat as far as not reaching goal/regaining. HOWEVER, knowing that you're rowing with the other paddle makes it a much more pleasant journey for me!!!
Know that I love you!!!! Collectively, you and I took a board that was only half alive and have had the pleasure of watching it flourish!!! And I'm grateful to YOU for that!!
MUAH,
T
I echo your sentiments, more than I can convey. I've been feeling very down these last few days, missing my Mom/Best Friend (she passed suddently 2/8/06) a lot this week. And it seems that Everything and Everyone is getting to me. So reading your post kind of pulls me back to center. Thanks!
Terri
LBL/BL 12/11/09; BL Revision, Quad Bleph 07/16/10. Larry H. Lickstein, M.D., F.A.C.S.
It's not how fast you go, but that you're moving in the right direction!
((( TERRI )))
I'm so sorry about your Mom, I'm sure the pain really hasn't ever subsided, but I know you have good memories of your time with her to comfort you. My Mom is also my best friend, and I'm so dreading the day when I join "the club."
I firmly believe that our loved ones don't leave. I bet your Mom is looking down, smiling and proud as all get out at the amazing woman you are!
Hugs,
Tia
