Parting is ...

[katelyn]

Many thanks to all who wrote kind and thoughtful notes regarding my retreat. I'm working very hard just now, am very tired, and have had some heavy blows to contend against this summer -- heavy as in deaths. I don't have the bandwidth for the forum -- plain and simple. It's not a comfort to me. When I mentioned the "other side" I was being ironical -- I didn't mean the other site. I don't have any connection with it, whatever it was. By other side, I just meant "away." But before I go ...
A little thing: I think it is disrespectful in the extreme - plain bad manners - to complain about a person's post directly to another person. Example: "I'm annoyed by X's post"; "I agree with you and I'm annoyed by X's post, too." Deal with X. To do otherwise is called snubbing, and if you-all really have all the warm fuzzy feelings for each other that you claim to have, you won't snub.
A big thing: Humans are extremely powerful in this world. Of all the creatures, except the tiniest, we have the most power to do good and to do ill. We also have the power of reflection. When an animal is afraid of another animal, there's usually a good reason. When we are irrationally afraid of anything -- spiders, the dark, people of another skin color, cats, dogs -- it's called phobia. Phobia is by definition irrational. We have the power of reflection and reason. We can examine this kind of thing in ourselves and get perspective and control over it. To do otherwise, to use our fears as excuses to justify the unnecessary killing of other creatures, is not admirable and is not itself necessary. A great deal of harm is done in this world on the strength of emotional self-indulgence. When I see this kind of thing, I try to speak truthfully and frankly about it - even when it's me doing it.

I think the forum is just "a fun place" for most folks -- I've tried to key into that with jokes and positive comments on hard issues -- but here's the rub: I don't find phobias cute or amusing. I don't think they should be encouraged or coddled. We all have weaknesses -- heaven knows I have mine. I think pretending weaknesses are perfectly fine is a weakness in itself. In fact, on one level or another, it's usually a fatal flaw -- fatal for somebody or something, if not our own selves. It's hard to turn around and face your fears and tame them. Some folks will do anything to avoid that kind of internal confrontation. Sorry to say, I'm just the opposite -- I see a weakness, a break in logic, a lie -- and I go after it. So maybe I just won't fit in here -- and there you have it.

[saucywitch]

Katelyn,

I am really sorry to see you go. I really enjoyed your posts, and Hope to keep in touch with you.

Blessings,

Sophia

[Molly Mockford]

Kate, I'm sorry you're leaving the forum - but I hope you'll perhaps return sometime when you have more time.  In the meantime, I'm very much looking forward to seeing you and Magpie again when you cross The Pond next month!

[Lotus Freak]

 

[Katie]

I'm really sorry to hear this as well - you seem like a wonderful person!
 I've also enjoyed your posts as well particuarly the jokes - they always put a smile on my face! 

Katie

[jenny_k]

Katelyn I've only just read about your leaving and I feel its b/c of what I said...

A little thing: I think it is disrespectful in the extreme - plain bad manners - to complain about a person's post directly to another person. Example: "I'm annoyed by X's post"; "I agree with you and I'm annoyed by X's post, too." Deal with X. To do otherwise is called snubbing, and if you-all really have all the warm fuzzy feelings for each other that you claim to have, you won't snub.

I've not gotten on the forum to read replies to that thread (since I posted) or any until today. I'm sorry if I offended you and like I said I feel responsible (and will take responsibility) that I caused such an offense. I didn't direct my post to you b/c at that point I wasn't annoyed by it...as a pregnant woman (and that's not an excuse) I'm quite hormonal and when I first read that I was a bit like hmmm...but then I re-read it and realized you did have a point and it kinda made me laugh. I don't know why I even posted I just found it funny (how my hormones just make me see red for any reason I mean)....but you obviously didn't and I apologize. You mentioned manners and honestly I'm not trying to start anything but since what I quoted off your post is basically a quote on mine perhaps you too should have used these manners you like others to exhibit and sent me a PM and said look I didn't like what you wrote instead of slinging it out in public thread. But to each their own. Again I apologize if I caused offense. I'm also sending you this via PM b/c I honestly don't want any problems with anyone on this forum and much less someone leaving b/c of me.

I also apologize to other posters who were offended by my comments and what resulted b/c of them.

[cookie]

 

[Periwinkle]

Please please please ... just take a breather. Don't go.

Things are so easily taken the wrong way on these forums when if we were looking that person in the face it never would ahve been taken in that context. I have had my share of REALLY bad things said about me and to me and assumed about me on other forums and have found this one to be a haven from all of that.

I hate to see you go cause in my short time on here I have relished every post you have sent.