Posted by Mike Stuart (67.209.78.113) on December 18, 2001 at 18:33:26:
I have been interactive with this board for almost three years. I used the name "Cranpain" until recently, when someone suggested that we all use real names. I have never personally met any of you, but some of you I have come to know very well. I never knew it was possible to become friends with people over the internet, but it is. I have suffered along with many of you, and tried to help some of you when you were down. Some of you have touched my life in various ways. For instance, I was thrilled to see August posting again after her long absence. I have followed Sailpappy's many trials with much interest. There are many more I could name on this board who have meant much to me. I am 54, have some military service (as an MP), but I have reached a point in life where I am tired of conflict. But all of you can do what I do when I see it on the board, and that is to skip over it and go to something meaningful. My real point is, thank all of you for befriending me when I was suffering so, and I intend to do what I can for all the newcomers who finally discover us. Merry Christmas, all you old friends, and new ones too.