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Thank you !

Isabel

Veteran

I haven't been around much for a few months...for good reasons. : ) As I feel better, I have started to do more things and get back to my life before cancer. The kids are getting older and I am carting friends around, going to football games, helping to balance chemical equations..LOL. I am over compensating with them because I really couldn't do much with them for a while. ( I went for a bike ride with my daughter and she said, " You can ride a bike ? ) I am also doing a small job 3 X a week taking care of a wonderful young lady after school and tutoring her.

Anyway, when I do post on here, you are all sooooo wonderful in responding despite the fact that I really haven't been contributing. So I just want to say THANK YOU !!!! Thank you for always being responsive, for helping me through a really tough 4 years ( ! ) and for always welcoming me so that it feels like "home" ( even after I have wandered away ) .

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Michelle

catgirl

Veteran

*smooches*

Isabel

Veteran

Smooches right back at you...my travel agent/planner friend !!!!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So glad to hear that life is full, active, and good for you, Isabel!!!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

This is so nice to hear that you are back to living a full life again! Brilliant!

Anonymous

So pleased things are getting back to a normality for you! Welcome "home"!

carter

Veteran

So glad you're getting out and about and enjoying life again!

LACeleste

Veteran

So good to read this Isabel! You are a good soul!

Beth Ann

Veteran

A reminder that being able to be busy, caring for those you love, is something to be grateful for!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

So happy for you & your family

Thistle

Veteran

So happy for you and your family. Health is such a precious thing and too easy to take for granted until it is snatched away.

I am just very, very glad you are felling better.

Diana

Veteran

Hooray!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Isabel, first of all I'm delighted, no, beyond delighted to hear that things are *finally* looking up for you. This is the best possible news,a nd long may it continue!

But I also had to thank *you* for articulating the crux of my own absence from the forum as well as the feelings now that I've returned. Fashion and style may have taken a back seat at times during my own challenging phase, but the ladies who make this place so special never did. This is such a caring and open-hearted community, and I love being a part of it, but I'm also hypersensitive about taking more than my share. There were times, especially when the forum went through more photo-oriented and visual phases, when I felt I really couldn't give back as much as I was taking. That was compounded when things went off the rails. So instead of dealing with this productively, I shut down and withdrew. Which was/is stupid. And the abruptness of my vanishing acts, coupled with the length of my absences, made me feel more and more self-conscious about resurfacing so I could just repeat the cycle of asking too much.

And yet...I always come back. And every time I do, especially this one, I am made to feel like I've come home. I genuinely feel surrounded by friends here, and I have no words to express the gratitude I feel for their compassion and understanding.

And my god does it ever feel good to be contributing again, both by starting my own threads and pitching in on others.

Isabel's post was *a lot* more succinct, but communicates the same appreciation for the most special group of people I've ever come across. And Isabel, that includes you!!
Your reply

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I'm so happy to hear this, Isabel. We all contribute on various levels, but you need never worry that it's not enough. Give some, get some. That's part of the magic here:) I'm so glad you are recovering and able to spend time with family and friends in a way that is valuable to you.

anne

Veteran

So glad Isabel. And great to hear from Michelle too.
love to you both!

Isabel

Veteran

I am so touched ! And you all just show, once again , what I mean. ( Anne, love you too ! )

Michelle, I am soooo glad that you are back. I am also so happy that you feel the warmth and welcoming that is always here. There is never any judgment, there are rarely questions, it is just as if you have never been gone. What we go through is never "stupid". Sometimes, I think, we need to shut down. What is not healthy is when you shut down too long and can't pull yourself out.

Welcome back Michelle !!!

Beth Ann, you are so right. The fact that we can take care of those we love and participate in their lives is such a privilege. : )

Alassë

Veteran

That's great to hear, Isabel and Michelle. We want to be a positive force in your lives.

Neel

Veteran

Welcome back Isabel (and Michelle). Glad you are feeling well enough to participate here and in your own life Take care and rest assured we would be here

Eliza

Veteran

Isabel-glad that your health is improving to the point that you can do some activities that were forfeited in service of your recoveries. As Michelle says, there is much that can shift during challenging times, though it is not an indication of disinterest.

In my experiences, all communities work best when they are flexible enough to respect and accommodate a variety of levels of engagement, as well as phases where roles are curtailed. YLF is a great community and it is always good to hear from participants here.

Best to all who are shifting gears, going through a challenge and renewing their focus.

MsMary

Veteran

What a wonderful post to read on a Monday morning! Isabel, so happy that things are returning to normal for you!! Big hugs to you, my friend!!

And Michelle! So happy to have you back as well!!

Isabel

Veteran

Eliza, what an awesome description of how a truly supportive community should work. Thank you ! I am going to write that in my "book of thoughts" !

XXXX to everyone !

rachylou

Veteran

"Music from another room"... No beat is missed when amongst friends... even when months, even years, go by...

Adelfa

Veteran

Isabel, I love your posts, and one reason is that I am kind of scared of getting sick. Knowing you makes me think that if you can get through it, then so can I.

I'm sure you'd rather have stayed healthy than gotten to be this kind of role model, but I truly appreciate the grace and courage and openness with which you have gone through your challenges.

Thank you so much.

Isabel

Veteran

Adelfa, that is hugely surprising and humbling to me. Thank you. Getting sick is scary and hopefully, once the initial shock wears off, most people go into action mode. I am a firm believer in two things : No matter how scary, sometimes all you need to do is show up and have faith that you will get through it. That's it. And, that you shouldn't aim to be fearless, you should aim to be brave. Fears happen. All the time. Not easy at all. There have been so many times in my life where I have been so scared, so lost with no idea what the next step is...but I always show up and have faith that it will work itself out with the help of others. If nothing else, I am there ( figuratively and literally ) .

Thank you so much for posting. XXXXXX

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Isabel, *hugs* -- you are awesome.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

"You should not aim to be fearless, you should aim to be brave." Isabel, I think you just gave me my new mantra. That is so wise. Thank you so much.
And additional to thanks to all you lovelies for such a warm welcome. I'm sad I missed out on even knowing about SSIF mostly because I didn't get a chance to hug every single one of you.
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