For a while I have been feeling like I am spending too much time here on "the cafe"... you know, like I should be doing the laundry or cleaning the house, but here I sit!Ever since reading about the heartbreaking tragedy that Fletchersmom has endured... (from reading the posts here I believe her name is Tami)... I have been thinking about her so much and truely hurting for her, I realize how connected I feel to the people here. People I have never met, yet I feel like I know in some way. As this is the only board that I have been involved with, I am inexperienced with cyberspace (if that is even what it is called!). I wonder if this is "normal". I don't post here as much as some of the others do, but I come everyday. Everyone is so supportive, kind, caring and helpful to each other. I am wondering if I am strange to feel so connected to people that I don't even know? Is there something wrong with me? Do others feel this way? Do you guys all think I am crazy now?! I am interested to know what others think...

I will say that I have not been involved with many other boards besides this one (actually only two others in the last 5 years) so don't hold me to anything. But, in general I have also found this particular family of members to be supportive for the most part. Not that we all agree by any means; but, usually when we disagree we just agree to disagree (of course there HAVE been exceptions). I keep reading on this and the other two boards that the friendlieness is unusual in the world of cyberspace. So, maybe I am lucky in that the 3 boards I have been on have been so friendly.....of course, the boards I have been on are hardly what I would call controversial at all--two coupon boards and one tv board. I do feel safe and connected here to a degree also.

__________________
"Well-Behaved Women SELDOM make history."Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope." Anonymous

"Your candle does not lose it's light by lighting another candle" Generosity

Have the courage to be yourself.

You know I thought the very same thing. You can just feel the love and hurt we all feel for Fletchersmom (Tami). I have sat and cried for the pain and loss their family are having to deal with. It is completely beyond my comprehension. What a strong woman!

During the various upheavals that have happened over the years I have visited other boards. None have made me feel like this one. I'm a very shy person in real life so I don't make friends easily, really at all. I do feel as if you guys are my friends. I find it so much easier to "talk" to you all than to even call my mom. I have been here since I think it was 1999 and there are certain ones I can remember when they were going through their pregnancies. Others I can remember reading about their divorces. Not to mention the deaths of husbands, parents... Who could forget all the kiddo problems we've all encountered along the way. I think that's why we feel so close to one another we have literally been through a lot with each other.

I wouldn't give up this board for anything!! Is it normal, I give up on "normal" a long time ago. I just cherish it for what it is, wonderful friendships.

__________________
My MySpace Page

To Leave Me FeedBack Click HERE

When you read things posted here day after day you do feel like you know the people.

I think that it is simular to watching someone on TV for many years. I was sad when I heard they died or was seriously injured.
I didn't know them personally either.

To me it is just being a caring person. There are many caring people on MC.

I agree , we have a great thing going on here, and my mail lady is going to feel it when she hauls allthose cards to my house..lol

__________________
Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

I've been a member here since 1999 but don't post much. I have a hard time putting my thoughts/feelings into words and I don't want to miscommunicate something. But I feel the same things you described. I remeber when Stella's DH passed away, I was devastated. I just could not wrap my brain around the tragedy of her situation. I cried and prayed for her and her family. Now I'm doing it again for Tami. I've never met her,but can't help but feel 'connected' to her since I have a son the same age (actually my DS is 10 days older). We have a good thing goig here!!

Selena

__________________
God is not Santa Claus

I have been here along time. I remember reading about births, deaths of loved ones and finding myself feeling a connection with all of you.To me you are all my friends. I can count on all of you for support alot more than I can count on my real friends and family members. This is a great place with great people and it makes me happy to know that there are alot of caring people out there.

__________________
~~~~**Maryann**~~~~

I just got a firm grip on reality....
Now I can strangle it

Yes, I also feel a connection and feel people's pain when something tragic happens. I do remember when Stella's Dh died and when WendyLou's DH got killed in a motorcycle accident (I used to know WendyLou in real life (before MC), I met her when our husbands were in the Navy and stationed on the same ship at Ingleside Texas) this was back in the 90's, her DH was killed just in the past few years, I haven't seen her in years, but I still think about her. I also remember when the woman lost her DH in Iraq, I can't remember her name though, Jesse maybe? And various deaths of parents and siblings that have happened over the years. Now Fletchersmom, I have cried over many of these deaths for people I have never met and prayed for them and their families and shared news about them with my family here at home. Even though we don't really know each other, we do have a connection.

It's a place that we know we can come to have someone listen to our problems and we know there is always someone there, day or night. It is very comforting to know that you are all there just a post away. Thanks everyone.

__________________
"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

I am so glad someone else brought up this topic. I have been coming to mc for a pretty long time now. It is hard to explain to others how I feel about this board. It restores my faith in humanity to visit the cafe each day. Although I've never met any of you, I also feel quite a connection and my heart has been so heavy after hearing the news about Fletchersmom.

I just want to thank each and everyone of you for being who you are. Many of you probably don't know how so many topics on this board have helped me in some way. I greatly appreciate the comfort I feel when I come to the cafe.

When the family board disappeared a while ago, I was really sad and when I saw they were starting it back up under the name the cafe, I was so relieved.

Thanks again my fellow mycouponers!

Judi

__________________
"Try to see the glass half-full."

You know what I think is also great about this board (along with all the excellent points you all have given) - we can ALWAYS count on receiving ALL points of view on all topics!

I feel I can take any side in all "real" conversation I have, because of the points of view that inevitably come up when we take up the topics on our board. We've already explored every point of view at this cafe - by the time my tangible people want to talk about it, I can offer many well thought-out opinions!

Being here really does a lot to increase a person's perspectives! And of course, it's nice to discover how much we care about each other - and how much we are cared about.

In fact, I find myself noticing when different posters take time off, or go away. It's always nice when they check back in - I'm like a mom who isn't able to sleep until her kids are all in the house for the night! LOL.

Everyone on this board helps make it so special to me.

I still have the thread posted when my dad died. I just had my first son. It was such an overwhelming support group here. My name then was ksuflasher

__________________
Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

Oh my gosh I have been a member here for so long and we have shared alot of sadness at times. As the others have mentioned, Stella and Jessie and their losses so close together. And numerous other parents and even other small children. I was mentioning to my mom this exact thing when I was telling her about Tami and she understood. She said it is really like we are all sitting around a couple times a week, drinking coffee and chatting. So, point being OP, I totally understand what you are saying and it is normal. Plus, I think people tend to bare their souls more in this enviroment because they are anonymous and it is safe to share things you might not want to share with family/friends.

__________________
Raising my baby RIGHT!!!!!!

All the cool babies are wearing cloth!

Thanks everyone! I'm really glad so many have responded. Makes me feel better!
I am having a problem with my computer modem and having a hard time staying connected lately. I called today to make an appointment for a tech to come out and they can't get here until Tues (because of the holiday) and I was pretty stressed that I would be out of touch with you guys for a few days! For some reason I got lucky tonight and was able to connect! So I don't need to go through withdrawls!!!!
I too feel like I am "getting together" with friends here. It's great hanging out with all of you!
Would be a blast to have a real get-together and all meet up somewhere sometime!

I love MC. It is the first place that I come when I need to unwind. I know that there will always be some light or heavy (depending on my mood!) conversation going on. I have learned so much here! I think that that is part of the power of this place for me is how much I learn from everyone. Some of your posts have actually changed my way of thinking -- that is powerful because I can be pretty set in my ways!

Wanted to add that as much as I enjoy The Cafe, I still miss all the folks from the Family Board. It is sad that so many left after it closed down and haven't drifted back. I remember Heather was going to host a great Halloween costume contest and the board got closed before Halloween.

__________________
Raising my baby RIGHT!!!!!!

All the cool babies are wearing cloth!

I couldn't agree more. I love this place. This is the only board that I frequent. I love it and can't stop myself from visiting at least several times a day!

__________________
email is moserlara@yahoo.com