Re: Re: Speaking of Sharing.....

[Guest guest]

Wow . I never knew. Thank you for being a part of this family. Life

must get so unmanagable at times for you. You are blessed (and I mean

BLESSED) with resilancy. You'll always know that, somehow, you'll pull

through. You MAKE things work for you. You can deal with stressful situations

that make grown men go into a fetal position and cry. I acknowledge and honor

your strength.

I hated it when I was in a group home for awhile....felt like

eternity...though it was only 3 weeks....nervous/emotion breakdown. But

then, like you, the foster homes REALLY sucked!!!! So I ran away too....back

home. *shrug* But I did good. Now that I'm in the profession of social work

and public administration, I live and I breathe my calling to social justice,

welfare reform, juvenile justice, etc. I want to be someone who calls the

shots and says how it's going to be. And I know first hand just how traumatic

foster homes can be....most times more traumatic than staying in the abusive

home....HONESTLY.

I love you as my friend, sister, aunt, mother. You overcome, you

achieve, you succeed, you leave your mark. =)

-

[Guest guest]

Wow . I never knew. Thank you for being a part of this family. Life

must get so unmanagable at times for you. You are blessed (and I mean

BLESSED) with resilancy. You'll always know that, somehow, you'll pull

through. You MAKE things work for you. You can deal with stressful situations

that make grown men go into a fetal position and cry. I acknowledge and honor

your strength.

I hated it when I was in a group home for awhile....felt like

eternity...though it was only 3 weeks....nervous/emotion breakdown. But

then, like you, the foster homes REALLY sucked!!!! So I ran away too....back

home. *shrug* But I did good. Now that I'm in the profession of social work

and public administration, I live and I breathe my calling to social justice,

welfare reform, juvenile justice, etc. I want to be someone who calls the

shots and says how it's going to be. And I know first hand just how traumatic

foster homes can be....most times more traumatic than staying in the abusive

home....HONESTLY.

I love you as my friend, sister, aunt, mother. You overcome, you

achieve, you succeed, you leave your mark. =)

-

[Guest guest]

,

I had no idea you had such a horrific childhood. My heart goes out to you.

And congratulations for completing your dream. You leave me in awe.

~Laury

[Guest guest]

Hiya Kit, Thanks for your nice message. When I emigrated to South Africa, it

was from England where I was raised. I was a WRAC, (altho we were nicknamed

the Wrecks!) in the Woman's Royal Army Corps in England.

As for family reunions, yes I have seen my eldest brother. In 1995, I went

back to the UK for the first time since emigrating and I saw my bro for the

first time in 27 years - he still lives in UK. He is a DJ and recently I

heard him do a charity broadcast over the Internet. Sitting in California

listening to my brother's voice over a machine was almost an out of body

experience. It's 32 years since I have seen my younger brother but I hope to

see him next year.. During my life I have tried (largely unsucessfully) to

have a relationship with my Mother: my Father passed away a few years ago. I

had not seen him for over 20 years when he died, but I am a spiritual person

and sense my Dad's presence in my life every day. As for my Mum, well I

didn't know it but she moved to Australia when I was about 14. Three years

ago, I travelled to Oz to see her for the first time in 35 years. This was

unbelievably painful and we shared a house for one day only. People can

break your heart more than once you know. But I'm still in very distant

touch with her.

What has helped me in my personal healing is flowers. (you can have a

risk-free relationship with a plant.) I have planted bouganvillea in honor

of my Mother, my Father, my children's father, and the Matron who was the

most constant figure in my childhood. Right now, my Dad is in bloom and the

others are doing fine. My Mum is growing wild and crazy - just like in real

life!! Might sound kooky but it helps me.

Thanks for all your support Kit, Leaner.

[Guest guest]

Hiya Nic,

This is so true << And I know first hand just how traumatic foster homes can

be....most times more traumatic than staying in the abusive home....HONESTLY.

>>

Thank God for women like you who are passionate and dedicated enough to

devote their lives to making a difference. Bless you for this. You are an

outstanding role model and an inspiration to all of us.

Thank you so much for your loving words - right back at you Babe!

Leaner.

[Guest guest]

Hiya Z, You know what, the Internet has changed me in many ways too. It

offers the chance for people to get to know each other in a stress free way

(if relationship stress is an issue in your life!) It's safe, if you know

what I mean. This is the only group I belong to but the friendship and

support I get from it has had a huge effect on my life. Who'd have thought

ha ha. Love to you Z, Leaner.

[Guest guest]

Thank you Pam. Good luck in the Challenge. All the best, Leaner.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Laury for you nice message - by the way, my husband is still waiting

for your phone number.........! All the best, Leaner.

[Guest guest]

Yes Z, South Africa is still a very violent country and women are often easy

targets, particularly young girls living in crowded homes and poverty. To

change pace...yes, plants and flowers really help. They are a living thing

which you can cherish. I often think it's a kind of reverse process: like

it's my opportunity to raise and nourish my parents and care for my loved

ones. And my garden is not a sad or lonely place like many graveyards are.

So go " buy " your brothers...choose their personalities, after all you can get

prickly plants, pretty plants, tall plants, even smelly plants!!

Leaner.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 29-Sep-00 07:32:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

eljayef@... writes:

<< Thank God for women like you who are passionate and dedicated enough to

devote their lives to making a difference. >>

Why else are we here for? Just for shits and giggles? I think not! =)

-

[Guest guest]

Hey Kit, I'm too overwrought to answer your e mail. I'll catch u later.

Leaner.