Expressions of support of ANY KIND

Subject: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 08:21 PM

It's been a difficult time for a few members of our community recently. A tragedy, a near tragedy, and a frightening bout of illness, have come to my attention through threads and a private message, and I hoped that perhaps this thread might encourage folks to share their support with others.

As I've made plain in the past, I rarely took part in "healing threads" because no matter how hard I might try, I'm not comfortable with that method of helping. Having said that, I also know that a number of folks are "gun-shy" about posting publicly in that area because of the controversy it causes and the inevitable flaming of the initial poster. Well, "flamers" don't trouble me in the least, and if I choose to respond to evil, I can be as sarcastic as needed.

Anyway, Ddw, Allan, and Kat...you're in Heather's and my thoughts right now. We hope the tough times don't last.

Rick

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 08:28 PM

Thank you Rick....Considering the past history, it was still a good idea and I'm glad you started this!

As I said to Allan and dw and others on the other thread, I'm glad you brought things here among supportive friends, and I'm happy we have a place to share both the joys and woes. Karen and I discussed all the different situations of the day and we are both thinking of all of you and send our best thoughts your way.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 08:33 PM

Same here. All the best. Seamus Kennedy

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Homeless
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 08:49 PM

Y'all will be on my mind when I do my SNAG work. I sincerely hope that you are open to it.

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 08:52 PM

Rick I can't thank you enough for starting this thread. I was sending my thoughts of concern and support through personal messages to those who have been experiencing tragic events and to other Mudcatters who have been serious not well.
I wanted to post my condolences somewhere but felt I would be stepping on toes if I did.

I think it is so important for people to have a place they can feel comfortable to seek comfort and support from the others.
At the same time, others like myself can feel comfortable and at ease about offering it on this forum.

Bonnie

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 08:57 PM

I had just sent a personal message to another Mudcatter. It seems appropriate to post an extract from my message here.

Jon

------------------ ...I think the "Healing Circle" threads were before your time but 2 main objections were raised. The first was over the sheer volume of them (especially as a number of them had no direct connection to any Mudcater e.g. My friend's neighbours friend) and, additionally, there was a lot of concern about the number of BS threads in general. The second objection was raised by me and at least one other Christian. IMO the threads had started to reach a cult type status and people were starting to do things like collectively sending (or suggesting we should) psychic healing energy. This to me is being asked to participate in (or at a minimum to accept) practice that is in oppositon to my beliefs and I felt matters had gone too far and that it was rather different than accepting that we would each do what we believed we should according to our own faith.

As far as I am aware, nobody would object to a thread asking for kind words, thoughts, prayers from those who pray etc. For any Mudcatter or for their friends and family who was in need.

Jon

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: MMario
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 09:01 PM

My thoughts are out there

MMario

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 09:06 PM

I was trying to think of some way to say it. But Rick has said it better. And all my good wishes go out to the people involved.

You know, the trouble with flamers isn't so much that it hurts being flamed. It's that it pollutes the whole scene, and makes it unpleasant for everyone, and makes people want to leave. Sometimes you find yourself in a pub or a bar where that kind of thing is going on - you might not be frightened, you might not get personally insulted ort assaulted. But it stops it being the kind of place you want to spend time, and you leave.

And that's maybe why we're walking around on tiptoes here sometimes recently.

I was at a folk club the other day, and someone started passing round a get well card for an absent regular. Nobody jumped up and started saying doing that had no place in that kind of gathering. Maybe we should talk about "get well" threads instead of "healing"...

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 10:26 PM

Dear friends, never doubt that my prayers are with you.

~Susan~

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: ddw
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 10:45 PM

Rick,

Thanks for the support, but I can't think what you're talking about. Apart from having to come here every day to earn the dog food when I'd rather be playing or listening to music, I can't remember any recent major hassles in my life and certainly none I'd bring to the Mudcat. Were you confusing me with someone else — dwditty, maybe? That's happened before.

Glad to see somebody's not afraid of the flames and can still offer a "hi, how ya doin'?" to somebody having a rough time.

david

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Big Mick
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 10:54 PM

I never have gave a shite what others think about the good wishes, positive thoughts or whatever. As far as I am concerned it is fine for people to participate in or not participate in any type thread they choose.

Thanks for starting this, Rick. Those that I am aware of are being prayed for by me. Like it or don't, this is what friends are for.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: rangeroger
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 11:07 PM

My prayers are also there for the healing to come to your lives.
rr

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Metchosin
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 12:21 AM

DWDitty I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family. I cannot hold you in my arms but I will hold you in my mind. Now is the time for tears, let them flow.

Allan, I wish your daughter the power to cope and to heal. It is hard to get over such trauma and to feel safe again in a sometimes unsafe world but she can, in her time and with love.

kat, all my love.

Rick, as a cynic who was, not long ago, a recipient of the warmth and kindness of this community and truly felt comforted, thank you for starting this thread.

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: jeffp
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 11:30 AM

dwditty, AllanC, and kat -

Please know that my prayers are with you all.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 11:37 AM

I appreciate the community spirit of the Mudcat; and enjoy this site very much. Regardless of belief we can share some compassion and empathy with one another. I feel sorry for those who cannot do that. Rick I like your post and freely join you in wishing some decent folks, whom I have come to consider personal friends, peace and happiness. Yours,Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Mbo
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 11:52 AM

I just wish I could be there by the side of ALL women at the same time--with a crowbar. Some repulsive scum wants to try something? Then BAM! I hate it when people have to fear for their lives--it makes me so MAD! I always make sure I have my hard-handles umbrella with me at the ready when my sister and I go out at night. I'm sorry to hear about Kelly...I pray that she finds the courage and spirit to overcome the fear which she has been so mercilessly been dealt because of this. Her courage to resist attack also inspires me...I hope she will use the same instinct to conquer the fear. The self-defense course is seriously a very good idea. Don't be a victim--it's never too late to learn to fight back against this madness.

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Bert
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 11:53 AM

My thoughts are with you.

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Amos
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 12:50 PM

Jon,

Seems to me you ran into a language issue, not a genuinely religious one. When New Age folks send out psychic energy, they're just praying. I can't imagine anyone on the 'Cat would really require you to modulate your deeply held beliefs. We can back up into using neutral terms, like "send wishes to...", or debate terminology, but I don't think there is any real conflict here. I am sorry if it ever seemed there was, not that I was there. Your well-wishes for others are highly valuable, no matter what we call them. Prayers is good stuff.

A

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Fortunato
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 01:30 PM

dwditty, AllanC, and kat,

May you take some comfort in knowing that we here want you to be well. We want Kelly to be well. I only know what I have read above, but clealy the suffering has been great. I have stood helpless while drugs and alcohol attacked my child and nearly killed him. I held on, never letting go of him in my mind, visualizing him well (or praying or healing as some may prefer). Forgive yourself and all others, it begins inside you.

with love, Fortunato

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: northfolk/al cholger
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 02:01 PM

ddw, Allan and kat,

It took me far too long to understand that even if I couldn't say the "right" thing, I should still say something...I acknowledge and share your pain. I hope my words and thoughts, can help ease the hurt in some small way

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 02:16 PM

Thank you all so very much, esp. you, Rick, for starting this thread with such sensitivity. To my mind, Dwditty and Allan and his daughter have much more to deal with than me, as well as DaveTAM, who has not said much, but has had a bit of a rough go, too.

I am on the mend and feeling better with each day and another dose of antibiotics, albeit a little tired. Your well wishes and support are good medicine and much appreciated; more than one could ever expect or hope for and one of the main reasons I love the Mudcat denizens so much.

luvyakatstilllaughingjustalittleslower

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 02:46 PM

Mamakat, tell everybody the real reason you are feeling much better. It is because she had Chicken Soup. Yes, Chicken Soup cures all, expecially if you can find a Jewish Grandmother (Bubby) to make it. And do not throw away the boiled chicken and parsnip, that is the most healing part of the soup expecially served with horseradish.
Double blind, random selection, placebo controlled scientific studies have proven that Chicken Soup works.
In fact there is a study on it in the New England Journal of Medicine. Mind you it was conducted by two Jewish medical student. None the less, they proved Chicken Soup has beneficial healing effects.
Couldn't hurt.

Glad to hear you are feeling better kat,
Little Neo

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 02:47 PM

kat. Your kindness and compassion is appreciated. You get a big hug from me. Hope you laugh often, louder, faster and frequently. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Áine
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 02:58 PM

All of the 'Catters involved are in my prayers and thoughts. Thank you, Rick, for giving us the chance to express our concerns about those in the Mudcat family.

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 04:40 PM

Sorry Ddw, didn't mean to scare you. 'Course I was referring to Dwditty. Once again, our thoughts are with you.

Rick and heather

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: GUEST,Neil Lowe
Date: 22 Mar 00 - 06:21 PM

I hope those who are suffering, here or elsewhere, have someone or something to hold them and keep them.

Neil

Subject: RE: Expressions of support of ANY KIND
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Mar 00 - 03:28 AM

Only been dipping a toe here recently rather than paddling, so didn't know things weren't too good.

Add my name to the list of people sending out prayers, good vibes, cosmic energy and chocolate chip cookies,

Blessed be.

LTS