I just read Terri's post and it makes me so sad that she would be afraid to post for fear of hurting others on this board. We are here to feel your pain and to help all of you deal with it. I've only been here for a little over a month but I've never seen anyone turned away. I've never seen anyone unwilling to help. If anything, I think everyone on this board wishes that they could do more to help those of you who are hurting. By posting here I think Terri and others have learned this. Some of us will sympathize, empathize and apologize for the pain you are feeling. Others will offer advice. Some will just listen because they may not know how to find the words that will help you. But everyone on this board cares. You can be hysterical here. You can be irrational here. Best of all, you can release your sorrow and pain, your guilt and fears. Each of us here has a different story but I believe the sadness we feel is the same. So please, anyone who is having reservations about posting for fear of "burdening" us, give us a chance and we will take you in with open arms.

sometimes in this realm, opinion can be unpopular. this forum is provided for open discourse and, as such,
i can see why people would sometimes fear posting. however, LS is based on the principal that "anything
goes" and you can rest assured the people here will remain tolerant and not find anything out of the
norm, no matter what that norm should be.

Well I certainly have been embraced with open arms and I deeply appreciate it. The first night I came here I was desparate to "talk" to someone... I couldn't believe that I had so many wonderful responses that very first night..it really did give me relief. Now I know that when it does get really bad there are people that care and understand. thanks all and yes to anyone just lurking...please come in you'll be glad that you did. thanks all, Terri

I lurked here, and just read, pages and pages at first. I was too grief stricken
to type. I jumped in and posted because of how kind everyone had been treated.

This site is like a club you never want to be part of, but you are so grateful that
it exists whenever you do need it.

When I first came here I was completely devastated. I had just experienced my worst fear, Moose getting hit by a car. I just could'nt beleive it had happened. I felt so guilty for getting distracted and him getting out of my sight, but most of all it just tore me up that I did'nt have the strenght to go say goodbye when they had to put him down the following morning. My insides were just ripped up from that, I spent day after day on this board trying to work my feelings through, Moose was so precious to me, my mind jetted from here to there, I would wake up in the middle of the night full of dread and come here then be able to sleep. I dont think I could have healed without the support of the kind people here, and I mean to tell you I think some of my post were pretty way out there as I contenplated the meaning of what had happened. I am much stronger now than I was just a few weeks ago, thanks to LS. and not being afraid to be judged by what I was typing. Pamela

Romeo's Daddy,

Thank you for this. I myself have felt a little freaked out by some of the things I've shared on this board (you all now know parts of me that are kinda shocking). I am thankful I have not been criticized and judged. The measure of control you guys have on this board is amazing. Usually message boards turn into flame wars. <_<

Love you all,
The Mommy of Punk

flame wars will not be tolerated here, there is enough anger in the world already. if anyone sees one brewing, please contact me at support@lightning-strike.com

thanks to all for being part of this place and helping others in need.