Clearing The Air

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

Some of you may or may not have noticed that I haven't been around much over the last couple of weeks; truth is I have been taking some 'me' time and doing much in the line of self analysis and deep reflection. I had hit one of those periods where I needed to assess what had happened, is happening, and what I needed to happen in the future.

Part of that process involved writing some long, heart felt, and deeply personal emails to various members of my family explaining past events and laying out some possible reasons for them. Many of these took days to write not because of length but because of the ammount of soul searching that I had to do in order to say what I knew needed to be said. In order to do that properly I had to be away from the distractions of things like moderating boards and posting to them. I still have one more to write and that is going to be the hardest one of all.

I know that over my time here I have stepped on some toes, maybe hurt others because of my being blunt the way I am or just getting down, depressed and angry then taking it out on the members here. Heaven only knows that we all have our own issues on this site and I really have no right to try and monopolize the time and energy of others trying to get help for me when there are others who are so much worse off.

Any way I am back (until I find the need to do that again).

[Guest sarah f]

There is no need to apologize here. We all have our own problems that we are trying to work out. Take all the time you need as we will be here for you when you finish writing all of your letters. Just remember we all love you just the way you are. Sometimes it is better to be blunt and let us know how it really is. I hope everything works out for you.

Love,

Sarah F

[Sally]

Hey JoJo,

When you have things to do in your life that require time off, there is no need to appologize - we can always make do here but we cannot take care of the things that you need to from here so just know that we are with you even when you are away.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest viv]

Hi Joanna,

Quote from a movie years ago, ""being in love means never having to say your sorry"".

Bet you know the movie . We do have this strong bond with one another here at Laura"s, it helps

keep us on the straight and narrow ,makes us feel We Belong , really hun, like a family. So ,if

you got to get some ""personal"s"" done you wont do same right if you got me screaming at you

for advice (little overkill to get my point across) . I got some medical exams next week and I am

worried re results , I have not been able to go to my peer group meet since I got my appointment

letter 6 weeks ago , head not in the game , like you ,at the end of the day ,I am just a human being.

Hope things go ok for you hun, we all contribute heartfelt"ly here but you are one of the shining lights.

viv

[Guest ~Brenda~]

Welcome back sweetie

Joanna hon, never feel like you are monopolizing people's time. We all come here for support (mods too ). When one is in pain, when you are in pain, it hurts. When you hurt, you hurt, and no ones pain is more valid than another's. Geeze, just look at me, I must appear as a runaway train sometimes to people here.

Anyway hon, You know that you always have me to talk to

HUGS and Love

Brenda

[Carolyn Marie]

Joanna, I'm glad that you were able to accomplish much of what you wanted and needed to in the time you were away.

Taking care of personal business always takes precedence over everything else. Like the others have said, there is no

need to apologize, ever.

Glad to have you back now. Please know that you can always lean on me if you need help. I'm just starting my transition and don't

always know the answers, but I'll do my best.

Now, lets get back to work, eh?

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

Well ladies, I just had the most remarkable time at, of all places, wally world. I had been to my final shrink's appt so was kind of done up skirt, hose, nice white blouse and my lovely pumps. On the way home I remembered that I had to stop and renew my hormones and spiro so off I went overdressed for the store but haveing a whale of a time with all of th 20 somethings looking at me(bet they were wondering whats up with that one coming here like that). It was 30 or 40 min of window shopping and time killing and giggling at all the young gg's in their down beat clothing.

Yes its good to be an older woman, you can put on some simple and elegant things and make a splash nearly anywhere.

[Guest Angelgrlsue]

Welcome back Joanne. I've been away for awhile myself, only it was Christmas vacation. Was just down the road a couple of weeks visiting my son, belive me I'm glad I am back home. Whew!!!! He has a small chi wa wa dog that is very whiny and two birds that are very annoying, they never quite down! The thing is they know I get annoyed so they do it even more, lol. BIRDS!!! I think they are smarter then us humans.