Yesterday was my fourth anniversary in joining the TMF. The time has flown by quickly. A lot has happened to me here and in my real life during this time. I barely knew how to operate a used computer with a whopping 96k RAM and basic dial up for ten bucks a month. The people here have patiently taught me pretty much everything from 'what is that pm thing and why is it lighting up' to cut and paste and how to quote to a specific idea in someone else's post. Heavenlytickle hardly yelled at me in frustration while beating my computer lessons into me from London. Venray and Saeria, plus a host of others taught me the basics in photo manipulations (with the help of Photoshop for Dummies). I finally got up the nerve to get beyond twenty-five miles of home for the first time in twenty years and have participated in three NEST's, one major gathering, and two munches. I enjoyed every one of them. I have personally met over 100 like minded people and had some of the best times of my life with them. I wouldn't change that.
This place has been a blessing to me in about everything I can think of. I drink about 1/100th of what I use to and I have been smoke free now for over two months thanks to the encouragement of the friends I have made here. I have fortunately been accepted by people here and this has helped me get back into the world after mostly keeping to myself since Stephanie passed.....and that was a long time ago. I mean, where else can an old fart like me get to escort a pretty young thing to her 'coming out party and Prom', socialize with one of the most brilliant men on the planet, and behave like a fool with all the other fools with wild abandon?
I have family here that has nothing to do with blood ties. We accept each other at face value and help each other when we can. When you truly give of yourself, you don't worry about what will be given back because you expect nothing other than the well being of the other person. I learned this through Venray and his accident, the people in Texas just after the hurriciane, and especially how people came to my aid the days following my father's death. This lesson I won't forget.
So thank you and Happy Anniversary to all my friends and family here in the Tickling Media Forum. You have all made me a richer and wiser man.
Thank you.
*yeah, I mispelled anniversary* Dammit!!
I came back and fixed it.
This place has been a blessing to me in about everything I can think of. I drink about 1/100th of what I use to and I have been smoke free now for over two months thanks to the encouragement of the friends I have made here. I have fortunately been accepted by people here and this has helped me get back into the world after mostly keeping to myself since Stephanie passed.....and that was a long time ago. I mean, where else can an old fart like me get to escort a pretty young thing to her 'coming out party and Prom', socialize with one of the most brilliant men on the planet, and behave like a fool with all the other fools with wild abandon?
I have family here that has nothing to do with blood ties. We accept each other at face value and help each other when we can. When you truly give of yourself, you don't worry about what will be given back because you expect nothing other than the well being of the other person. I learned this through Venray and his accident, the people in Texas just after the hurriciane, and especially how people came to my aid the days following my father's death. This lesson I won't forget.
So thank you and Happy Anniversary to all my friends and family here in the Tickling Media Forum. You have all made me a richer and wiser man.
Thank you.
*yeah, I mispelled anniversary* Dammit!!
I came back and fixed it.
