Well Wyzzy got here first, but let me join her as the fly in the ointment. Amidst the chorus of thank yous and hurray for Max and Mudcat........Let's all back up a bit and let Max take that step.

Max, one of the toughest things to do in this life is to ask for help, but it has an equal.........the ability to say thanks. Those abilities are qualities that true winners possess. We are by culture taught the value of independence, so to ask for help is somehow less than admirable......Complete bullshit! The Beatles sang that "I get by with a little help from my friends," and it may be the best single line in any song they sang. Do you know what makes us all feel really great, warm and fuzzy, that feeling of pissing your pants in a dark wool suit? We all love to help somebody out!!!

Is there anything that makes you feel better? Man, what a rush to know that you gave something of yourself and benefitted another human being.....simply the best! Now when YOU are the one who benefits, the hardest thing to do is to say thanks. We often should say it, but it's really uncomfortable....and it shouldn't be. Like asking for help shouldn't be either. When someone says "Double Win" and that's what we all want, it's true. Just like now, we all win!!! But a lot of us are here on this thread saying, "Oh no Max, let us thank you." Now why is that?

Same reason really.......We are uncomfortable receiving thanks and want to downplay it as though it is no big deal. That's dumb. Try this scenario:

Waiter: Sir, I can't possibly take this $100. tip.
Patron: Okay, then here's a buck.
Waiter: Well, I thought I was worth more than that...

It gets down to a feeling of deservedness. The many 'Catters who have donated here over the years did so because they believed and loved you and this place. Saying thank you is something you need to do even though the real thank you is keeping the 'Cat alive. But a thank you from you is the second warm-fuzzy and that tops the cake!

What we should be saying here is "Max, you're welcome." That's hard to say too isn't it? When we say it, we always add qualifiers like, "No need to say thanks, the 'Cat is thanks enough."...........It may be, but it's our job to accept your thanks on this thread. Simple acceptance....very hard.

This is why it's always easier to give them to receive. We all need to be able to sincerely say "Thanks" and sincerely say, "You're welcome,".....no qualifiers and no embarassment. When friends can deal on that level with each other it shows the true friendship that does indeed exist.

One more thing.......You've taken two giant steps. You asked for help and you said a sincere thank you for it. NOW.....A lot of us have been harping on this one and NOW IS THE TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!.....Let's get something going that funds at least the minimum every month. Let's get that going now. YOU have to ask though....I mean, you're the one who will have to monitor it a bit and say thanks or "Where's your dough Spaw?" Ask us for the bread and ask for whatever help you need. We'll be warm and fuzzy because we want to help and love to help....You can get warm and fuzzy by seeing how much we all do indeed love you and this place you created.......a Double Win, and the 'Cat goes on. Do it now Max.

Oh yeah.......You're welcome.

Spaw