For the members who have participated here for years before.

While I search through the "stacks" back 7 or more years, The people who really help stand out. I am going to miss many, because so many I never really got to know. I hope some of you who have been here longer than I have will pick up the slack.

Gypsy, Janie, Bunnys_Girl, and DOCHKA, you folks are the champs at bringing us all a smile.

for keeping me on track and teaching me new tricks... That has to be Moms_Buddy closely followed by Bunnys_Girl.

Compassion and endurance, Mae, Billy G, Moms_Buddy, this one doesn't stop...

Sorry, so many mean so much to me, I am losing my train of thought. Please pick it up if you feel like it. Category: contributors .

I can't even approach memorials, Every single one is precious.

I am speaking here about posts grabbing me personally and am failing to make it clear how much help I have received when I needed a no nonsense boost. I hope a few folks who have been here longer might remember a favorite thread with special meaning and bring it up.

This is one I really needed at the time.

One of my earliest posts.
http://eldercare.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/56360781...451048624#1451048624

The no nonsense responses meant so much.

I want to add here, that there are different forums for different reasons.

I count on the people here to be foremost on the side of their loved one. I am still reading and posting here because the prominant theme continues to be "How can I be the best advocate for my loved one?"

My hand might get slapped as often as it is held, but no one ever tells me to give up. That is why I come here and support and participate on this site.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bobcat,

There's an old saying:

"Joy shared is doubled.
Sorrow shared is halved."

For the sharing, I'm proud and grateful for this forum and it's members.

I joined way back in 2002 having no idea what was ahead. My son just started high school and mom daycare. I had lost my husband a few years before that and really felt all alone in the world. My brother was threatening my son verbally and Dan would hide at a neighbors till he left. I too have to thank everyone for all of your help, advice and mostly friendship during the last 6 years. I like Mae hope to still be able to help people who are here because of my experience. I want them to know that like me they are not alone and are cared for. Thanks to all of you. You guys are my family and I still care for all of you.

Gypsy, seems like yesterday when you and the others came on board.Notvera and Janie, what would we have done without them.They knew when to step in and bring some laughter, I mean laughter.
You, Eleanor, others, always were such admirable caregivers.You continue to make Hubbies life full filling.You did what you had to do to give hubby little change in his life.You always amazed those who knew you from the begining.
Edyth ann, brought so much information to the forum.Many times she wanted to put her foot up my butt .Why, because she cared.
So many gave so much to this forum.Many came here with little self confidence .When the journey of caregiving ended they found that self confidence.
This was not a snooty group.It was one where people had so much in common.
We now have the same good character of members, family.Once they tested the waters they have given so much.People need to be able to be acknowledged and find common denominators .This forum and all the family members have always provided this.
Even with my duties as caregiver have ended I come here to try to do something to help others.I also , continue, to be informed.
Never too much knowledge when we know the prospects of dealing with the medical community.

I think you guys have about covered my feelings too. I just realized I have been here 5 years next week. I know Janie, Mae, were some of the first I met back then. Vicki was one of the mods. Notvera wss always making us laugh. Sechang, Eleanor, Sandmason I honestly don't know what I would do without you guys-you are my family. Thanks for being here. Just a thought could this topic be pinned so everyone sees it-it is the real meaning of this place. Gypsy

When people are in freakout situations, sure they need some sympathy and understanding, but what they need most is TOOLS that they can use to solve some of their more pressing problems. When a loved one suddenly needs help, we don't have time for the deer in the headlights pose - there'll be plenty of time later to assume that position! Whether it's getting someone out of a bad situation, finding needed medical information, help with knowing how to navigate a bureaucratic system that runs like a 150 year old plumbing system, etc., we all pool our talents to assist wherever and whenever we can. We ALL are dealing with difficult situations in our own lives, so we help support and energize one another. One can find sympathy in many locations, but there are not many places to ask pertinent questions of eldercare and to interface with people who are actively engaged with caregiving and eldercare. There is so much to KNOW about all this and few of us exactly enter this arena prepared...

I am humbled and slightly embarrassed by the kudos - I'm just helpin' out where I can. There's a LOT that I don't know much about and am not adept at handling, but there are other places where I can apply my particular skill set. I think I can speak for most of the contributors here when I say we don't do this for glory or from the position that we are irreplaceable or all-knowledgeable - we are fellow travelers clinging to one another in a desperate storm. We have little time for therapy, although understanding is one of the most important benefits of gathering with one another, but we'll take the time to point folks toward the tools that they may need to help them through another day.

When I first came here - seems like 40 years ago - I couldn't even post. I think I read for the first year. Every time I came here, I bawled too much to be able to see my keyboard. I could hardly stand what I read on the pages - the angst, the needless suffering, the extreme frustration of DEALING with issues as weighty as the ones that present themselves to us. What brought me out of my lurking was the realization that I was among people who talked the talk and were walking the walk. I could release my own pity parties simply by reading and realizing that my situation was not as dire as so many others. Simply reading and realizing that my troubles and challenges were not simply happening to me and mine was a god-sent gift to me. Perhaps I don't know anyone in my own community who understands this stuff, but there ARE people HERE who do, or will help me find the answers which I need.

I am not doing anything special or unique. I am simply following traditions of ECO that preceded my membership. Others will come after all of us, and hopefully, they will continue those same traditions of using shared knowledge and information to assist one another. The kudos belong more to those whose examples I have embraced and followed than they do to me.

If there were a catagory of research leaders, of course they wouldn't be ranked. I have been here a wee bit over a year. In that time I have noticed the help given by DOCHKA, T.O.R.P., MariaBee, Moms_Buddy, and Bunnys_Girl most, Perhaps because they answered topics that struck accord with me. For those who have been here longer, was there anyone who really helped you?

I think there are contributors in the legal, financial threads that I might have missed.

Holy cow BC I am floored that was a beautiful thing you just did here and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Makes me smile reading that first post of yours I remember the day well
There was just something about you that made me think now theres another gal out there that is gonna leave her mark here..now here you are still goin strong, contributing daily everything you can to ensure people know they have come to a safe place.
It is my honor an privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in this journey and the many others who share the same goals we have here, to be an advocate for our loved ones, to protect and honor them.
I can honestly say the very reason you came here is the very same reason I chose this site I didnt need anyone to pity me hold my hand or pat me on the back I needed honest straight forward answers to my questions and thats exactly what I got. When I faltered each and every contributing member here didnt sugar coat it they put me in my place and Im grateful for that and I didnt expect anything less from them they are a phenomenal bunch that I often call "family"
Cheers to the entire family and the ones to follow!

Bobcat, this was so wonderful to read.
I have seen people come and go.All of them made such a strong impact on me.Then and now I feel so fortunate to be able to come to a place where others , like me seek answers.Each time I come to the forum I red something that helps me in some way..So many of us has so much of our selves invested in this forum.
I saw things in a different perspective after joining this forum.
I fear what life would have been if not for this family gathering place.

Hats of to each of you now and in the past.
Keep carrying the ball for others to come.