Posted by Barb D (64.12.105.51) on July 03, 2001 at 23:11:06:
Well, convention is history and almost everyone is home by now (except those who are still on vacation). I got home yesterday and back to the office today and got absolutely nothing done at work except trying to sort out OUCH stuff. Geezzz! I think everyone at convention handed me money for something and expected me to remember what it was for. I spent the day trying to figure out what this or that was! You people don't make it easy on an old person!
But all that aside - Convention was a wonderful experience and everyone there was great. It was terrific to see so many new faces this year - and to see all the familiar faces of my good friends again. While standing at baggage claim waiting for my bag, I was tapped on both shoulders. When I turned around there was Richardo and Todd. That was a very welcome surprise. When we got outside there were Warren and Bonnie. From that time on it was hugs and kisses and no strangers.
As one of the ones who was in on the beginning of the idea of OUCH, I can tell you this convention did my heart good to see the enthusiasm that was shown. The ideas that were thown out were great. Everyone was READY to go to work. We spent Sunday PLANNING HOW to get it done. Leesa is Membership Chairman next year and has her committee in place. I'd hate to be the one to say "no" to her. That "little" girl is something else again!
John and Mo from the UK were great at ideas on how they're putting together things in the UK (things that are working well). The BOD talked about incorporating some of their ideas in our plans and make them work for us. They said they'd help us any way they can. It was great to share ideas with them.
But as usual, the most wonderful part of convention was the part where we just sat around and shared with each other. We talked about headaches of course, but we talked about our feelings and how we felt with our headaches - the aloneness we felt before we discovered CH.com and how we knew we weren't alone now.
Even when we sent Jonny for beer and he didn't return with it, he was forgiven because he got hit with a CH - the only thing that would have kept him from getting murdered that night! But that we all understood. (We explained it to DJ!)
The sad part was saying goodbye. We had to buy extra kleenex for Nancy C. It seemed like we had just got there and it was time to leave. Kip, Judy and I rode to the airport together and I just walked away from him because I couldn't tell him goodbye without crying and I'm too tough a broad to cry in front of a grown man and I know he wouldn't want to cry in front of me - the old softie. I know he understood. He knows I love him and Judy and neither of us like the damn goodbyes.
I hope next year everyone comes to Vancouver for convention 2002 and sees what we're talking about. You really have to experience a convention of Clusterheads to understand the feeling we're talking about.It's just a bond you won't find anywhere else.
To all of you who were in Atlanta - my love and thanks for making convention 2001 a success. C ya next year.
Hugs Barbara D.