I Am a Cynic By Nature...

[ScreamingMeemie]

I always have been, but became more so about a year after we had gone "online". I got sucked into the story of a woman who had lost her 7 year old son to Leukemia. We would IM at night, she would post of how much she missed him...I would sob. Then she found out she had cancer. She would IM about how much it hurt...I would sympathize. And then, one day, I got a letter from her. In it, she explained that she was a 19 year old student who had had an abortion and was conflicted. So she joined the board ( a childloss board) and concocted the story because she feared repercussions (on that I don't blame her) if she were to admit the truth. One thing spiraled to another and she admitted that she adored the attention. I was shocked, stunned and sickened. I vowed NEVER to let that happen again.

When I joined DU, I "met" a lot of really great people, but still decided to play things close to my vest. Not wanting to get too personal. Beyond what was for dinner that night, how many kids, and good vibe postings. I trusted, and yet I didn't. I had talked to one person on the phone...letting my guard down to give her my phone number. She knows who she is and she is a truly wonderful person!

Then I got sick. I PM'd a couple of people about needing surgery so they wouldn't wonder where I'd gone off to. When things went so badly after surgery and I was in I.C.U., PassingFair asked MrG, and myself, but I don't remember it ;), if she could post about it here in the Lounge. I gave my okay. When she brought the (literally) sheaves of paper to my bed...I was speechless (and no, it wasn't just because the morphine). To see the outpouring from this community...to read the words of encouragement, see the hugs and well wishes just really got me.

You see, you are all "Real" to me. I can't deny it. Until you prove otherwise...you exist. I never thought I'd say that, but that's what I think about when I start thinking about the events.

All of my best to each and every DUer,

Laura

[ewagner]

1. beautifully Said

:hug: to you.....

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. And back at you...

:hug: :hi:

[RevolutionaryActs]

2. What a beautiful message!

:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. I wish you were coming to lunch tomorrow.

:loveya:

[RevolutionaryActs]

11. I wish I was too.

:(

[johnnie]

5. I've seen the players on other sites too

The sad truth is that they are out there,but the other truth is that there are a lot more genuine and good people out here.
DU is filled with good hearted and compassionate people. It is just so big, that we are going to have some players in here. But really.. there are a lot of good people.
No matter how much we are told that the world is full of "bad people" I still believe in the good people. You're a "good people"..:).
Nice Post Laura, thanks.

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. You're a "good people" too johnnie...a great people even.

:hi:

[Rainbowreflect]

7. Great post.

I am surprised how the highs & lows of the lives of people I have never seen face to face can move me.
To me DU means always having a friend to talk to, to laugh with & to cry with.

[ScreamingMeemie]

9. Agreed. Always there. Lights always on.

It's become comforting. :hi:

[progmom]

8. wow

now i really can't wait to meet you.


:loveya:


(and i wish Rev was coming too!)

[ScreamingMeemie]

12. And I cannot wait to meet you!

:hug: :loveya: what to wear, what to wear...heehee. I'll be in the "When women Vote Democrats Win" shirt. :hi:

[progmom]

20. and i, most likely, will be in jeans and a black shirt

because, when i stop and think about it, that's all i ever wear.

[Huckebein the Raven]

10. That's a great post

:)

[ScreamingMeemie]

13. ...and I am not nearly so frightened by your sigline guy...

now that I've gotten to know him. ;)

[Huckebein the Raven]

15. LOL. That's what I said

:D

[Solly Mack]

14. I like your heart

It's a good one

[ScreamingMeemie]

23. Then we're even.

:hi:

[Zomby Woof]

16. I know one thing for sure...

You COULDN'T fabricate a friend who DIDN'T like the Packers. :P :hug:

You are one of the sweet souls of DU. :-)

[ScreamingMeemie]

24. Under that exterior...YOU'RE one of the sweetest, my dear.

:hug:

[WI_DEM]

17. Mrs. G you are and always have been one of my favorite DUers.

[ScreamingMeemie]

25. That feeling is mutual WI_DEM

I always look forward to your posts. :hug:

[LDS Jock]

18. that's beautiful.. you've always been my favorite MrsG

:hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

26. And you are the dearest, warmest, most wonderful

person! :hug:

[progmom]

33. or not?

weird
:shrug:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

19. And we meant every word of our good wishes, too

You completely rock!

Don't feel bad about being taken in by a few bad apples. I found out my best friend from junior high and high school, rather than being a stellar law student, as she proclaimed herself to be, was convicted of credit card fraud and spent 6 months in the federal pokey and 6 months under house arrest. This was someone I actually knew in the flesh for years! You just never know.

[ScreamingMeemie]

27. You rock as well! I can't wait to congratulate you upon your graduation!

:bounce: :hug:

[Pithlet]

21. Sadly, anyone who's visited message boards

for a length of time has a similar story. A parenting board I went to had someone who lied about their husband dying in a car crash. On another board I used to visit, someone lied about losing a child. I still try to give the benefit of the doubt. Every once in awhile my radar goes off. It's good to listen to that instinct and be weary. I think the whole brouhaha this weekend reminded all of us of that.

I still think most of us on DU are on the up and up. But there's always the risk. Anyone can join a board and make themselves out to be whoever they want. Few can keep the veneer up without cracking, though. I think they almost always get caught in the end.

[ScreamingMeemie]

28. Well said, and completely agreed here...

Pithlet, You know you were responsible for a laugh out loud from me. :hug: You are the best.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

22. My experiences have been a mixed bag as well

I've had a few sick people fixate on me, but then I met the person I am in a relationship with and one of my best friends right here at DU as well as several other people I am happy to call friends.

[ScreamingMeemie]

29. And, for me, a special place always in my heart--and at my table

if you're ever in the mood for MI okra, for my dear friend nsma. :hug: psst...you're the one I was talking about.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

31. I knew that

It was funny but I was just telling progmom last night that I was glad she'd be meeting you and that you're welcome in my home :D

[ScreamingMeemie]

34. The day we get plane tickets to CA I am ringing you up.

:hi:

[Jessica]

30. You're the sweetest ...

I'm glad to be a part of this group. And it saddens me to know that someone has been so dishonest to such great people.

Thanks for the beautiful post.

[ScreamingMeemie]

35. I really think most of us come here straightforward as who we are.

I appreciate the many people I've met and the many stories from the varied walks of life. It really does keep me grounded. :hi:

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

32. great words Mrs.Grumpy

:hi: :hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

36. Back at you MAHNY!

:hug:

[Bossy Monkey]

37. For everyone but MrsG: Can we get a 3d Greatest Page nomination?

Posts above include
beautiful x3
great x2
sweetest
and that's just the subject lines. This is your tip that you wanted to nominate it for the greatest page. Don'tchathink?

[fishnfla]

39. done before you asked

great minds think alike ;)

[fishnfla]

38. That's It: I'm outing myself

I've been living a lie MrsG and your kind words are making me feel guilty. Guilty I tell you! :nuke:

So here it is, *sigh*. I'm not really a Packer fan :banghead: I am in truth a Viking troll :headbang: Our sons name is not Brett, its Dante. Our house is painted purple. :cry:

I also put catsup on brats :(

Hate me?

[ScreamingMeemie]

41. Nothing that a little green and gold paint and a trip to the courthouse

won't fix, darling. And, just between you and me, I don't care so very much for brats...but I eat them, just to prove my Wisconsinishness. :hug: Could never hate you, unless of course, you became an Eagles fan. Now that would be something. ;)

[Bok_Tukalo]

40. 21st Century Pub

Just as real as any other meeting place.

[ScreamingMeemie]

42. That is a really good analogy...

:hi:

[salin]

43. My best to you MrsG...

I completely missed this story... I am so sorry to hear about your physical trials... I trust that this message means that you are improving (at least enough to hang out on DU for a little while.) You are in my prayers. I have always enjoyed our exchanges, and value the thoughts that you add to discussions. Keep getting better, as we need you - including your cynicism (I, too, am a bit of a cynic - and rather keep my board conversations on the board... but... I also 'met' a phenomenal friend who has come to mean to me as much as family... just a reminder that we have to keep allowing ourselves to lift the protective gear once and awhile to let the real and wonderful connections with folks to evolve) it is what keeps us as a collective community on a bit of an even keel. Okay not an even keel... but a balance that keeps us from rocking too far in the waves we create and prevents us from tipping over.

My best to you... and I am very relieved to hear that you are (I pray, hope and trust) improving.

[ScreamingMeemie]

44. I'm doing much better now, and each day gets better yet. The thoughts

and vibes from everyone really helped keep my spirits up. My life is better because of knowing so many of you, if only on the boards. :hi:

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts, salin.

[UrbScotty]

45. Thank you, from a fellow Michigander.

:hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

50. You're welcome, you of the username that makes me smile everytime

I see it. :hug:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

46. Laura, I think you're the greatest, and I swear I'm real.

I was very worried about you when you were gone. I was glad PassingFair posted what she did, because those like me, who truly cared, knew what was going on. There ARE real people on the internet. REAL people you can TRUST. I found this out several years back while chatting with people from Dallas. They were a great bunch of people who portected me when I went down to visit like I was their little sister. It's really cool to see that. I'm so glad you're better, and you are one of my favorite people here at DU. :hug:
Duckie

[ScreamingMeemie]

51. Thank you so much Duckie...it is a wonderful community here.

I saw your post in another thread, and I want you to not feel like an idiot. I too, fell hard for the line. I too opened my heart to this person...I too felt like an ass when I first found out. I defended this person against some who are near and dear to me. It'll all work out. :hug:

[joeybee12]

47. Awww....but remember, the cynics are right 99% of the time...

...forget who said that. It really is true. We were right about Iraq, Haliburton, etc. Cynicism can be a good thing.

[ScreamingMeemie]

52. Yes it can. You are so right.

:hi: :hug:

[joeybee12]

57. Thanks! Back at ya!

:hi: :hug:

[Left Is Write]

48. I know just how you feel.

Six years at parenting sites can really open a person's eyes to the trollishness of others.

I have to say, though, that the majority of people I've had the pleasure of knowing online are real. Really real. :)

[ScreamingMeemie]

53. Ahhhh...I am a veteran of ParentSoup, until it became an obvious

Freeper playground. I know of that experience. :hi:

[In_The_Wind]

49. All my best to you too MrsGrumpy

:loveya:

Joani

[ScreamingMeemie]

54. Thank you so much Joani!

Your new name suits you well. :loveya:

[In_The_Wind]

61. That's a lovely thing for you to say.

:thumbsup:
:pals::hug:

[Kurovski]

55. I didn't know you were in hospital

so a belated :hug: to you!

It's funny that you said something about reality: Some Friends of mine, in response to my relating one too many DU stories to them, responded by saying DU isn't real!

Well, it is and it isn't, isn't it? Funny.

I think it becomes particularly important for people who are disabled and limited in choices through economics, location, etc.

It must be a godsend for people who are surrounded by Bush Nationalists in their regoin, at work. THAT would seem unreal to me.

[ScreamingMeemie]

56. I didn't say much about it until after the fact.

Tell the friends of yours that I am real, and they could pinch me, if they wanted. :hi: I agree...and DU has transcended the normal internet message board reality, at least in my opinion.

:hug:

[RandomKoolzip]

58. Woah woah hey hey great post, Em Gee.

Yer a sweet gal who deserves a splendid karmic kickback real soon.

And I hope yer feeling better.

:hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

59. I am feeling much better...each day is better in fact.

And you are a wonderful person to call friend. :hug:

[Theres-a]

60. Nice post,thanks.

:hi: If you can get past the sham and drudgery,it's still a beautiful world(to paraphrase).....theresa

[ScreamingMeemie]

64. True! And I'm trying to focus on that.

I met a couple of beautiful people today. :hi:

[bertha katzenengel]

62. I am a cynic by marriage...

Had to riff on your subject line. ;)

I have so much to say to this but I can't. Maybe someday I will tell you, Laura, a story of internet & identity.

In the meantime, read Find Me by Rosie O'Donnell.

:loveya: L.

[ScreamingMeemie]

66. You're allowed. to riff that is.

And that is an excellent book.

:loveya:

[Tsiyu]

63. I was duped, too. All that sympathy for the nephew..

made my blood kinda boil when the truth came out.

And knowing this was even a Mod at one time...

But then i know that I have posted things that others may doubt. Hell, I'm a middle-aged woman and I've done a lot of shit. I've lived in a home with seven bedrooms and four bathrooms and I've lived (and now live) in a trailer. I play guitar and sing. I've had my own radio show. I've worked as a Respiratory tech - five years of that in a children's hospital. I birthed five sons and one daughter and adopted a parentless grown kid who lives here, too. One of my oldest was a Ranger - 3/75th, which is an immediate red flag because this is a very elite military unit. Goddamn I'm proud of him ( you just don't know) but I can see where people might think my life might be "made up."

My mom says I have the distinction of having at one time the WORST job EVER- cleaning toilets in a casket factory. But I've also won awards and trips and instruments and ribbons for music and art and writing and riding horses.

We are each so unique; I wonder why anyone has to make up shit.

Life is strange. But thank you to Mrs. Grumpy and others for their warmth and realness.

btw, Mrs. G. What happened at that school board meeting? I have been curious.

[ScreamingMeemie]

67. It went well, for personal vindication. And yesterday was the school

board vote and we ousted one of the incumbents :woohoo:, now we've got one more to go. They are coming back to the table for contract talks next weeks. I've got my fingers crossed for our teachers. They really appreciated me speaking last week. I've received a ton of thank yous. :hi: Sorry I didn't get back with you. :hi:

[Cyndee_Lou_Who]

65. The word on the street is that you are a fabulous person...

and I believe it!! :hug: :hi:

[ScreamingMeemie]

68. I cover my other, more evil and vindictive, side well...

:P :hi: :hug:

[Cyndee_Lou_Who]

69. HOGWASH!! I am not buying that!

Not for a second!

[knowbody0]

70. MrsGrumpy

what i love most about you is your attitude and wit. you rock

[ScreamingMeemie]

71. Thank you very much knowbody...and I'm glad to "know" you!

:toast: You rock too!