One year in...and I am grateful :)

[Meld256]

I realized that today is my 1st year Anniversary here on the forum! 

When I started posting here I was not yet diagnosed, sick, confused, depressed and desperately seeking answers to what was happening to my life that was turned upside down.

What I found was:
Acceptance that verified that I was NOT crazy.

Understanding of all the crazy physical and emotional issues I had going on.
Compassion every time I vented away about my pain and confusion.

Permission to grieve my old life so I could move forward to a new life.

A huge amount of information I wouldn't have found elsewhere.
Encouragement on days I felt my life would never be better.

How to accept, adapt and persevere.
How to turn my "new life" into one that gives me happiness. 

To all who have helped me along this journey, you have no idea how much you have meant to me.  If I have also helped anyone else in the process, I feel blessed to have done so.  This is how wonderful this site is; that we are like family, helping and encouraging one another. 
I am very grateful for you all, my friends. 

Melinda

[Bucky]

Happy Anniversary Meld!   

I'm glad you're a part of our cyberspace Sjogren's family and for all the encouragement you give to our members.

It's such a good feeling to come to a site like this and feel that you are validated for all the symptoms and feelings we go through when some doctors just don't understand the extent of issues we all deal with having Sjogren's.  As you know, here, we "get it".   

Now for cake to celebrate the occasion!!      

Bucky

[Meld256]

Aw, thanks Bucky   

If I encourage anyone, it's only because I've received so much myself, 
Now we need cake!! 

[eyeamdry]

Meld, you are a great contribution to the bulletin board!!  I do not even think of you as "newish" at all.  Your posts are a great help to many people.  Lucy

[smallfry]

Happy Anniversary Melinda 

With heaps of HUGS.

Cheryl

[Meld256]

Thanks, Cheryl and Lucy

Guess I still feel "newish" sometimes. I've learned so much here; I learn something new every day. 
This has been a caring, theraputic place of healing for me.

Hugs to all.

[Katybarstool]

Happy anniversary Meld. Your special day is also my grandson's birthday, and would have been my dear grandad's birthday.

So, a special date for three very special people.

Kathyx

[Cheryl]

Meld,
I'll join your celebration, too!  Your being part of Sjogrensworld is a blessing to all of us who gain from your wisdom and sweet nature.   I'm so glad you joined us. 
Hugs,
Cheryl

[Patze]

Awwww Meld, I too am glad that you've found us and you are a wonderfully giving lady that I'm so glad to have met!

Congratulations on your "anniversary".

Take care of yourself now -


Patze

[Meld256]

Thanks, Cheryl and Patze!  I'm so glad that I found you all, too.

Katybarstool,
Well, now I feel honored that my anniversary here is on your grandson's and your dear grandad's birthday!  Two very special "men" in your life.  That's a special day!