Last Saturday I had a great day with Chuck in Corsicana TX. He was in Texas visiting his brother and got in touch with me and I drove down there and met his family (including his 93 year old Dad who I fell totally in love with) and we had a great day.

People (especially you newbies on here) DO NOT ever miss a chance of meeting with another Clusterhead. It's just something you don't want to miss.

Chuck's family laughed till they hurt as we told "war" stories about things we'd been thru and convention antics and about several of you guys...

His sister-in-law is a nurse and was interested in Clusters and asked a lot of questions which we were quick to answer (usually with a story that had her laughing before we got thru).

Anyhow it was a great day with the old goat and I enjoyed every minute of it. Of course the sad part was saying goodbye at the end of the day when I had to leave. But my dogs were waiting on me at the farm at home and they can get real nasty if Granny stays out too late. 

But even if you have to drive three or four hours to meet with another Clusterhead - DO IT.. it's worth every minute of it..

And for the record -- I've been doing this since 1999 and have yet to meet an axe murderer... and never a stranger. 

There is nothing like meeting another clusterhead. It's an instant connection no matter the differences in lifestyle, job, finances, whatever. It's lifechanging. I'll never forget the first Davcon and driving to Davenport IA, where I could only stay 45 minutes before I turned around and drove the 2 1/2 hours back home. SO worth it! Met so many wonderful people with disparate backgrounds, but instantly family. Still in touch with quite a few, though several aren't on the boards anymore.

Jerry

The problem back then was trying keep BobG out of Las Vegas. He was there almost every day........

I agree totally. An instant bond - because there's only us isn't there. No one else gets it.

If I had never had CH, I would never have met Brian and DennyM or Hoppy and Adda. I would never have talked to all you other guys and gals who have offered friendship, wise words and understanding. It's my great hope to meet more of you in person.

If I had the chance now to not have ever had CH, and therefore never to have found you all, I would be hard pressed not to turn it down. Every cloud has a silver lining.

We'll be doing it again one day Hoppy. I'm sure of it.

Maz and Jon, I have to agree.

I don't count CH to be a curse, but a blessing. Sure, it has taken a lot out of my life, but what it has brought in return has far outweighed a little bit of pain over the last 40 some years. Even in the worst days when I went chronic and nothing was helping, I found such help from this family. This was back in the early days of this site and the stories from Lady E and Chuck and Drummer and Lady Luv and so many others, plus the encouragement, the offers of O2 when I was out, along with the support and education went far to create a family that is closer than my blood kin.

I have never had a desire to be wealthy, but if I ever come into a bunch of money, I hope it is enough to travel this world to say "thank you" to some very special people who have enriched my life.

Jerry

That fight was in Atlanta wasn't it.. I think I remember a table being overturned.. But it ended up in a hug-fest.. scared the heck out of everyone who wasn't a cher in the bar.. 

Those were the good old days..