Dear So and So

[VeganBikeChick]

Thank you all so much for your kind words and support.

Yay for you, Pax! How exciting!!

[Owlie]

Dear other message board I (used to) frequent,

I appreciated that you had a depression thread where I felt safe to express my sadness along with many others in the same boat. I didn't appreciate your moderator telling me to go elsewhere with my issues when I had received support from others on that board. If I could talk to my friends in person, I would. Thanks for kicking me when I'm already down.

(((VBC))) That's terrible.

[Pax]

(((VBC))) So sorry you're dealing with this.

[solobiker]

{VBC} So sorry to hear that you are still dealing with all of this. I so wish the move would have helped you. Just know you have my support. I was in a very dark place for a long time. It will get better.

[VeganBikeChick]

{VBC} So sorry to hear that you are still dealing with all of this. I so wish the move would have helped you. Just know you have my support. I was in a very dark place for a long time. It will get better.

Thanks so much,solo. Ironically enough, I was happier in CO so trying to move back. It truly was my happy place - hindsight is definitely 20/20. Wish I had reached out to the lovely TE'ers then that offered so much support. Sometimes I feel the tunnel is never-ending - just trying to stay positive that time will definitely help.

[kajero]

Dear couple from Yankton, ND

I know I thanked you so much for helping me at the DIY store yesterday. I just wish I had your name and address. I would have loved to keep in touch. Oh well.

[Xrayted]

Hiya kids. I've been gone from this forum for quite a while. There were various reasons but mostly because it was too hard to juggle all of the home stuff and then also the online/friend stuff. My plate was way too full at most times to even take care of myself completely. So... life has thrown me for a loop over the last few months, right into a ditch. But, the nice thing is, I'm strong and young and can bounce back as well. With a hard breakup, I started thinking of the things in my life that are most important. And realized that I needed to include myself in that list, at the top instead of last. I now have the time to get back to what I enjoy without apology or having to work around someone else's agenda and I have to say, it's been kinda nice. It's liberating in many ways to find oneself again and enjoy the everyday things life has to offer. I found that I have incredible friends (around the world too) that are here for me and care. And I can do this. I've picked myself up many time before and I can do it again. So, I got back on the bike one day, had an immediate zero mph fallover at a stop sign as I realized it's been a while since I was clipped into pedals... Lol. I'm getting a trainer again, have been swimming and I'm thinking of doing a bit of running. I've met some really cool, new friends in the community and I'm finally getting to know the city and the area I live in after being here for over 6 years. Nothing or no one is holding me back from exploring anymore and it's a great side effect to this whole new life. As a matter of fact, I'm being encouraged to get out and live more and have fun more and be happy.


I'd like to thank Pax, who on many occasions, pieced me back together online. She has a unique view on life and how to heal and all of the steps needed and I wouldn't have gotten through this part nearly as well without her. I would also like to thank crazycanuck's partner. He was wonderful to talk to. Ian was instrumental in me seeing that I wasn't doing anything wrong but that it was time to just walk away and separate things in my heart and mind and really kicked me in the pants one late night when I really needed it. He made me think in a different direction and stop blaming myself and get proactive. I am eternally grateful for that guy. There have been a few others on here who reached out and know how this feels and let me know that things will get better, like Trek420. I appreciate the well wishes and good vibes. Most of all, I'd like to thank chickwhorips. She has been invaluable to my sanity and self worth through all of this. I really love that girl. She and I have helped each other through heartaches and trials and it's so good to know that she is my friend through thick and thin. And I am hers. Thank you, Amber.

Time to move on the rest of the way now. I've got new energy, a new outlook, (new furniture, Lol) and some new (and old) friends to spend time with. And, mostly, I have me. And I realized that it's okay to like myself just the way I am and that I did the best I could for someone. I loved deeply and paid it forward in every way a person can. And that's all I can do. Someday, I will find that right one who gets it. Is uplifted by the love and caring I have to give and understands that it is a team effort, not just a one way street. I've hopefully learned some valuable lessons about myself and will make better choices in the future. Can't guarantee that but... I'm a work in progress. What can I say?

So, now I'm off to find a trainer for my bike for the rainy months because I'm not giving this up again for anyone else. I love biking too much and I love bike porn waaaaay too much.

Hope to see you all more on here and in person again. I miss the get togethers and chats.

[VeganBikeChick]

Wow, xrayted. I'm sorry for the challenge life has brought you lately, but what a great, positive outlook you have! I wish I had an ounce of your resilience. I went through a hard breakup myself about 6 months ago and am still picking up the pieces. Your post gives me faith that there is a way out. Good for you for discovering yourself and not feeling that you need someone there to keep you compnay!

Hugs to you, and keep on keepin' on.

[Pax]

Hiya X!! So glad to see you back here!

[OakLeaf]

Hey, XRayted. Glad things are finally looking up for you.

[crazycanuckoz]

Yo...X! Nice to see ye round again. Happy that my man was able to give some sort of guidance . I can't wait to see him, it's been a long uni semester .

One more paper to finish, 32k run to do & then...WEEEEEWEEEEWEEEE..off n away soon to Japan/US/etc. I thought the Marathon would be in cold weather but apparently not..it's forecasted to be 12c..! Normal shorts & t-shirt weather!

If any of you would like to do coffeeeeeee or lunch w us as we venture from LA-Chicago, do let us know. I know we'll be in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas & Florida but other than that..it's called " wait til we get to LA, flip a coin & go somewhere"...

Back to throwing thoughts around onto paper.

[Xrayted]

That's the way to do it, CC. I drove across with a map and a final destination and everything in between was totally unknown until I got there. I would advise a southern route though at that time of year.

Hey Pax!!! Glad to be back.

[marni]

welcome back- we all know or shou7ld know that our bikes are our best therapy.

[chickwhorips]

X I'm glad life is looking up! I <3 you! Keep your chin up.

Though CC! No trip in the Northern half of the world! Lame-o!!!

[skhill]

Dear fellow parishoners,

No, I didn't bike to church in the sleet and freezing rain today, I walked. And why are y'all acting so appalled? What would be crazy in these conditions would be to drive, when it's less than 25 minutes on foot. It's not that cold, and I have excellent boots.

And how about some of you younger folks coming outside to help with clearing the sidewalks? Didn't you see a middle-aged woman in a skirt out there wielding a shovel, along with the paid security guy? We had a 3rd shovel and a heck of a lot of sidewalk covered with ice to deal with.