 |
 |
Greg said: > >Jerry, > >Don't take this List so seriously. It will probably > >live outlive most of us. Life is too short to be > >perpetually anal. > > > >Just a personal curiosity. I noticed your email > >address is "habitatforhorses". What on earth is that > >all about? Do you travel the country building homes > >for horses? Are you the horse version of Jimmy Carter? > >Just wondered. Greg 48/35/35 "...perpetually anal." I love it! Perfect description! I don't take this list personal, Greg. But I've seen what good this list can do, and I've been around here for a LONG time (way before Barb P.). Once, when I was first DXed with PD, I sat before the computer and wrote page after page to the list when it was on AOL, asking, complaining, bitchin' moanin' and groanin' about the injustice of it all. Thanks to some wonderful people, like Vern Dauphin, Barb P. and a dozen others, I got over it. I'm sure I wore a lot of folks out as they tried to explain to me the ups and downs of PD. They hung in there with me, just like I'm asking the current crew to do with the new guys. And they encouraged me. "Write it out," they said. "Don't hold back." I wrote stories, poems, personal reflections - and with each key stroke I released the anxiety I was facing. News articles about DBS help those of us who are deep into the PD stages, but the newbies need help dealing with rejection by their friends, the loss of work, sex, the effects of Sinemet. They will always ask the questions about "Can I break a Sinemet CR in half?" "Should I apply for SSDI?" "How fast will I go downhill?" Supplying those answers, listening to their fears, offering hope, helping them face reality and destroying their feeling of doom is probably the MOST important function this list can do. But look at the difference between today's post and two days ago. Christmas poems, offers of help, reflections, all of these are here today. This is what makes a community. This is what a lot of people with PD want and need because otherwise they really would be alone. The "Want Ads" list was a perfect example of harmless humor, something I'm sure many printed out and showed their spouse, laughing. Totally non-PD, but rich in its gift of joy. And the Christmas Story about the cup of tea. Again, non-PD, but excellent for many, for the moment's pause of thought and warmth it brings. The sense of community for the old timers is the second most important reason for this list. I don't "need" the list at this point in my life, but I know that others do. This list saved me and it will save many more - if we keep it alive. Yes, I'm "perpetually anal" about this list. In fact, I consider that a compliment. Horses are now keeping me alive. But that's another story. Jerry ************************************************************************ * Tracking #: 5AC0038D03513049BC4AF18AC8761EAA9BE40914 * ************************************************************************ -- Help us save the horses! Habitat for Horses, Inc. A lifetime home for abused, endangered horses. http://www.habitatforhorses.org/