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In response to my Bud's open letter to "our" list dated Fri 21 Feb 1997: if you don't remember Nicki wrote: Happy Anniversary Bud :) Today is very special to me, thanks to you.......One year ago today I received a reply from another young Parkie.......He had read my intro letter on here and responded to my request to hear from others w/PD that were in there 30's.......You cant imagine the relief you brought me by allowing me to find someone close to my age that knew and understood what I was going through with this disease......This fellow Parkie was a joy to get to know.....the multitude of things we had in common amazed us....we shared the same tastes in foods, music, etc......he had even attended college in my home state which led us to discover we had attended the same concerts there way back in our younger, healthier days.......My parents owned and operated a restaurant in a nearby town at which it turns out he had eaten at!.........It was fun discovering this man who was so much like me in so many ways.....Out of those simple letters a powerful friendship grew........We vowed that no matter where our lives took us we would always be Buds.......united for life by a disease that although causes daily pain and discomfort, somehow managed to bring us together to find some happiness........We have met face to face only a few times, but there are countless letters and phone calls that have helped us solidify this "budship"..........It's been a rollercoaster of a year........one that I will never forget........right now I wish for more than anything that my Bud and I could celebrate this anniversary together, but like PD, life is full of curves that are tough to navigate.........I can find joy in the fact that I am still able to communicate with him and know that we both are reading the list and remembering how it brought us together..........Thank you again list......and Thank you Kevin, for being my Bud, through thick and thin, through parlodel and permax, through insomnia and dyskenesia, through tears and smiles........especially the smiles......because that's what comes to my face when I think of you..........Happy Anniversary Bud.........here's to many more......and hopefully a cure in our lifetime..........I love you................Always, Nicole Antonia .............fighting back the tears; my response is........... Dear List, Some of you may remember my "coming out" letter and "Dedication of Love and Friendship" that I posted on Monday, August 5, 1996. I was taken by the number of responses I received of warmth and gratitude for sharing my story. I wanted to do something special for a very special friend who I loved very much.......and where else to do this, than before our whole group of peers?! It is not often you find someone so special you want to shout it out at the the top of your lungs!! Nicole's response, "What PD has given me....." (same date) literally took my breath away........and now her "Happy Anniversary Bud" just strengthens my opinion of just how lucky I am!! Nicki is so right in thanking this list for the oppurtunity it gave us to meet! Without it where would any of us be right now?! There's been so much negativity lately towards this list, it has really just sickened me.............and then Nicki "blew a breath of fresh air on it" and I once again feel lucky to have this outlet at my disposal...... So, before any of you start putting fingers to the keys to cut someone down for his or her opinions, views, lack of medical/technical contributions, or for God's sake; sexual preference; think how lucky we are to have this vehicle available to us to express ourselves to the very ones who understand what we're going through the most.........ourselves!! We are all so lucky to have each other and this list...........sigh................I'm climbing down of my soap box now........ Nicole Antonia, mio bella amore, we were linked by our misfortune of having PD, and yet, as I said before.........I am lucky to have PD. Without it, there would not have been a "you and I". I will be here for you forever... we are forever "Buds" as a result of this list and PD! May we see a cure in our lifetime.........Happy Anniversary Bud.............DITTO! ..........Always, Kevin "That what does not kill us, can only make us stronger." <nag> Always, bud..............................M. Kevin Lacey, 39/7