[Janeytwo]

Crick, Paige and Belle - Thank you all for your kind words in response to my post. Part of me was like, "Gee, are people going to read this and think I actually did time in the hoosegow?" LOL! Oh and Kathy and Crick - I mention you guys again further down in my response to Raven. Maybe you could go read it and give us your response? (hint, hint)

And Paige you are so right, the women here are strong. I had felt that sometimes I didn't belong because there are women in here who are just outstanding!!!

Then I realized we're all outstanding in our way. We take a lickin and keep on tickin.


Kathy

The positive on A.com is that most of us continue to try to converse... to hear... and to be heard.

Yes indeed! As Amanda said, adoption is not a topic for the weak.


Blacksheep

One "sentence" I didn't "deserve" and another that I naively "chose" for myself.

And you say you don't write eloquently. Not so! This is a very eloquent statement, in my humble opinion.


Raven

We are from another era, one that will soon just be remembered in history books.

I believe that you are right here my friend. We will all pass into history and though our individual histories cannot be re-written (to do so would be a great disservice to myself in my opinion)......still they can honored. But (IMO) it can only be honored by those who lived it. Others can either tip their hat in respect or throw it at us in disgust, but only we can wear it.

I am often reminded that I don't really matter...that it's not about me...that I must always think first about the needs and feelings of others who aren't in my cellblock.

Perhaps this is what Kathy and Crick meant about communication. I don't know, I'm hoping they'll read this and give us their very learned opinion (said with true respect for Kathy and Crick).

But I've heard them both say more than once that others are giving their opinion and we don't have to own that.

This is what I have a hard time with. I think because like everybody else, I have some unhealed part of me down there that I'm not aware of that comes raging out when someone inadvertently pokes at it.

Of course, there are those who deliberately poke at it. And after I've had my meltdown, I simply remember that those people need to get an existence or a prescription for some really good drugs. LOL!!

But everyone else is simply doing what I am doing....trying to be heard. We are all standing on the Great Divide, trying to find a way to reach the valley and each other. A monumental task taken only by the bravest of souls. (Spoken with humility and all credit to God).

It's a different time, a different world...with different challenges. And I am getting older and more tired by the day

I understand this. I came across this saying once, it went something like this (loosely from memory):

In our 20's we know everything and are perfectly willing to share our vast knowledge.

In our 30's we begin to fear we don't know a dang thing.

In our 40's we accept that what we know doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

In our 50's and 60's we don't care what we don't know; all we do know is that life is short and we'd best enjoy it.

In our 70's and 80's we actually do know everything but nobody wants to listen.



((( Raven )))


And yes, the world's waters are dark. But they are also teeming with life and color and sand beaches.

As long as we have a voice to each other and a belief in our right to be heard, that voice will not fall on deaf ears. There will be someone, somewhere nodding their head saying, "Yeah man. I get that!"


Love you guys!