And the first thing I saw this morning was a post on FB from Drummer (some of you young'uns don't remember him, but he's a legend around this site) and it brought back so many memories...

20 years ago (on my 50th birthday) I was so DOWN in the dumps.. I'd just been diagnosed with CH and my mom had just died and I was not handling things well at all... Four years later things had really gone to hell in a hand-basket.. I had turned chronic and my husband had had a stroke and I  was really in the pits..

THEN I found CH.com and found out I was not alone. The difference in where I was then and where I am today is totally amazing when I look back on it.

Seeing the post from Drummer (Dave Greenly) brought back the trip to New York and meeting him at the airport and being amazed that he wasn't a stranger (first time I'd seen him and we recognized each other on site in a crowded airport). Then at the hotel, Kip biting my neck and saying, "Hi Mom" and me calling him by name before I ever turned around (and I'd never seen nor talked to him). And Elaine standing there.. No strangers in that group. And then the week in Drummer's garage and the friendships that were bonded.

The FIRST OUCH convention in Vegas.. Meeting people that I'd just posted to on this website... it was totally awesome. lcbob (the man who coined the OUCH name one night and a great guy).

Meeting Bob P for the first time (gosh he was taller in person!) And of course DJ (and the hot tub with the bubble bath). And Arnold (who doesn't remember Arnold?) and all the others... and no one a stranger.

And then Atlanta and being met at the airport by "friends" - one Italian in particular (Riccardo) with some "garlic kisses".

Then thru the years all the others ... showing up at Bob G's house and we were "family".. getting off the bus at the hotel in LA and being enveloped in a big bear hug by Lennie (who I'd never met before) and it was love at first hug... Going to FL for a cookout with about a dozen CHers for the weekend... Several Chers coming to my house for hot dogs and hamburgers and a fish fry (and the guys doing the cooking). Pete and his friend coming down to "hog hunt" and making sure I was taking my D3 "properly".

And the phone calls that, over the years, that have come out of the blue from friends (and usually when I'm down) that have brightened my day or cheered me up. I can't even begin to tell what this has meant.

All in all, this site has been a lifeline to a lot of us, but it's meant a lot to me and I've met so many of you on here and the bonds have been forged so you ain't gettin' rid of me. I really don't think I could have made it without you guys.

So my birthday wish for each of you is that we all reach PF status. I love you all. 

Happy Birthday young lady. It's been what?, about 15 birthdays we've all had since meeting on this site and in person?

Off topic note........remember those italian cypress trees in my yard that you wanted.......I now have 25 of them along side of our new house. (and 7 pine trees on the other side and 15 pine trees across the back).

Wish you many more Birthdays and all of them pain free.

Hi Barbara,
I turned the big 70 last year and what a good year it has bin
so heres hoping it's the same for you. Happy birthday and
best wishes, Hoppy. 

Hi Barbara,

I almost didn't come on the site today, but felt compelled to do so.  I'm so glad I did.  I want to wish a very happy birthday to one of the most important people to teaching me how to deal with CH.  I don't go back quite as far on CH dot com as do you, but I don't miss it by much.  I was on the first board for just a few days, and then again for a short time when DJ reinvented it through YABB.  In those days I didn't have internet but for very short intervals, but the times I was able to get online changed my life, and very likely saved it.

I had the pleasure of meeting you and your grandson in Atlanta at the last OUCH convention there, and will never forget it.  Thank you for all of your encouragement and help over the years.  I wish you a very happy PF birthday, and I look forward to wishing you a happy PF 80th, and continuing as well.   

Jerry

Barb,

Happy Happy Birthday! (From the California transplanted Texan  )  I haven't been here in awhile - glad I only missed it by a day.

Marc

Happy Birthday, Barb.  When are we going to do another Texas meet and greet?

I hope you have a great birthday!

DD

I don't know you yet, I'm new to CH, but happy birthday!!  Did I understand that you're pain free? That's great!! For how long and how did you do it?

Thanks Pete  - anytime...I've got the hogs -- come on down..