Lyn, (MOM)
How can I explain the feeling that came over me when I saw an update for Spiritwars pop up in my email inbox.
Remember when you're about 9 and desperately wanting to still believe in Santa Claus but all your friends are saying he's not real yet you know you JUST KNOW in your heart that he is? And some obliging adult takes the time to do something magical so you can hold onto that belief just a little bit longer...
That's how it felt. That and more.
Spirit wars wasn't the first 'online community' I joined but it was near enough and it certainly was the one I (have) stuck with the longest. I either left the others or they left me. Spirit wars has never left me. It's always been there, in the back of mind and odd things would remind me of it, over the years and I'd find myself coming here (or sending emails).
There are people that you meet in this world that touch your life in ways that you can't even begin to imagine will happen and Randy and you and Jon and the whole Spiritwars family did that.
I didn't have anything horrid happen to me, but I knew if I did, that the SW peeps would be on my side. There was a feeling of love that tagged along in the trash talk and silliness and other discussions.
Elfie I miss the hell outta you. Contact me!!!!
It's because of Randy and others here that I even thought about reading Heinlein and I've thoroughly devoured all of his books now, not just the ones that were recommended, even the ones that people were certain I'd abhor.
i know that seems silly but really it opened my eyes to things I would never have found my way to otherwise and those things have enriched my life beyond measure.
I play online games, searching for that sense of belonging that was here and it never quite comes up to snuff and I've been in a WoW guild for years with people that I know from other places and we all email and phone and text and visit and you know what it's still not the level of complete and utter trust and belonging that i felt at the SW chats.
So to make this long winded O M G a bit shorter. What ever I can do, whatever you need you got it.
tRu