Wow! What a meeting!!

I want to thank all of you who made it to the meeting this morning. This meeting is growing by leaps and bounds. We had a number of 'old faces,' and a whole new crew of of 'new faces' join us today ... After 33 I lost count! We had sooooo many people that we overflowed the generous meeting room we have been using and had to take up two more tables in the adjacent room. We had people who are thinking about WLS, are in the process, have just had it in the last few weeks, few months and even years... we also had support people that came ... i.e., husbands, kids, and friends. We did a round-robin where people shared who they were, where they are in their journey and any news, concerns, or suggestions. It was really great. It's like the board on steriods!

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again next month.

Thanks again to all who attended ... you warm my heart.

Barb

Annie,

You ARE going to make this work in the long run ... The statistics show that people who incorporate exercise into the lifestyle AND *****gularly attend support meetings are most likely to number 1 lose to their potential and number 2 keep it off in the long run. You are doing both of those things with gusto!

I think having OH as a support mechanism is so very important. I also think having the face to face support is really important as well and I appreciate so very much the constant, considerate support I and so many others recieve from you.

Love,

Barb

Hi Annie,

Sarah was quite taken with you. She asked me about you when we left. She was inspired by your incredible journey. Thank you for keeping her in your thoughts as we go through the next couple of weeks. I haven't shared it with her, but I'm really scared. I know that this surgery is going to be a really tough one for her and if I could do it myself I would.

I think that there is a big difference between our meetings and something like WW because they are busy teaching you a skill, where our emphasis is on the emotional support and networking that is crucial to the success of our journey. Both are valid and bring a great deal to the table.

During the month of August, I'll be in CA. Do you think you could hostess the Perkins meeting for me in August? If not, don't worry.

Take care,

Barb

Annie,

Thanks on both accounts. You are so very sweet. I hope that I am the rock she needs me to be. I'm sure going to try. It just tears me up to see her hurting, but I know that in the end she will have a much fuller life without the daily pain she now endures.

I also truly appreciate your willingness to step in and manage the August meeting so that I can enjoy the time with my other children in CA. It means a great deal to me to know that I won't have to worry about the support group and everyone will still be able to benefit from it.

Thanks again, my friend.

Love,

Barb

Hi Andrea,

We may look into that. I know that we can overflow into the other room as we did this time and that may work for a while. If we do make a change, it probably will happen in the fall because the summer group tends to be smaller ... we'll see. If you or anyone else has suggestion for a good, central location that won't cost us anything, please let me know. I'm all ears. LauraP has been gracious enough to offer her office conference room that is off of Six Fork Road in Raleigh, but we have to coordinate meeting days/times with her ... that's a possiblity.

Thanks so much for coming. Your presence is truly appreciated by many.

Barb