Oh my ... What a GREAT gathering!  It is always such a wonderful feeling to be among people who know and understand what we suffer from.  No explanations, when you get up, and go to your room.  No explanations, when you return from your room, maybe looking a bit haggard, red eyed, hair messed up, and with the tell tale drooping eye.  But we come back ready to party and have fun, again, until the next time.

How can we do it?  What other choice do we have?  Are we going to mope around, and feel sorry for ourselves, and make everyone around us miserable?  Are we going to give in and give up?  Are we going to let the beast win?  HELL NO!!

We are going to go deal with the beast, kick his ass to the curb, and if for no other reason, than to spit in his eye, we are going to go back and have a GREAT time!  Let the beast win?  Not a chance!

This gathering was fantastic!  I got to reunite with dear friends, that I have previously met, and also got to hug (and grab ass) of those that I have only interacted with on the internet.  What a marvelous group of people!  Listening to their horror stories, their funny stories, and just chatting about this that and every other thing was so endearing.

I am sitting here, still in my hotel room, and missing those that have left, so much.  Why does it have to be so long between such gatherings?  I even will accept that Ruthy, Jackie, Cat, both Jenns, and virtually everyone else, picks on me, unmercifully.  Then certain people (I won't mention Theresa's anyone's name) ganged up and forced me to do extremely embarrassing acts, such as putting on a skirt.  And then, a certain pushy mother, ordered me to go running around after her little double fisted cookie crumbler, and make a total fool of myself, with him.  But, it is worth it!

Saying goodbye is always so difficult.  SOME people (Johnny with an H) scooted off without saying goodbye, of which, those that are guilty, will be punished.

It was so great to meet the ones that I have become to like on-line, and to find that they are even more wonderful, in person.  The spouses that came, were beautiful.  They again showed us sufferers how wonderful they are, and the praise they deserve.  What marvelous individuals they are!

I am trying hard not to mention any names, and pick out certain individuals, from the rest, but I have to break that rule, here.  Deej and Stephanie are the most wonderful people on earth.  We have all become accustomed to, and continuously amazed at the greatness and humility of our dear DJ.  Well, he has met, fallen in love with, and married his perfect soul mate.  Stephanie compliments him and blends with him, yet remains her own self.  The two of them are such charming and loving people who really do care about their fellow man.  We are all so blessed to this site which Deej has created and maintains.  And now to have Stephanie to join with him, and help out, is almost more than we could ever wish for.  Then to have them show up at so many of our gatherings, is just AWE inspiring!  They are such fun, delightful, caring, compassionate, and just all around wonderful people, that I am honored to call my friends.  And you know what?  They produce a pretty cute, adorable, well manner brat too!  I tried my damnest to steal Brandon away, but darn it, they kept catching me, before I could stuff him into my suitcase!

Well, I have rambled on enough, and I have to go and investigate why my vision is so blurry, and what is causing the wetness on my cheeks ...

Humbled at the experience ... AGAIN,
Chuck

<sigh>