I am sorry!

[crecco]

  Well it seems that in all of my enthusiasm and planning for the summer get together, I have managed to step on some toes and hurt some feelings. I want you all to know that I never meant for any of this to happen and I am deeply hurt by what I have done. So much so that i am thinking of just bowing out gracefully now so as not to cause any more hard feelings.
  As I said in the begining, I did not want to be considered the "head" person in all of the planning and I was looking to you all for suggestions to help make it a weekend we would all remember. But I knew that a lot of you were not feeling well so I went ahead on my own. I guess now that was the wrong thing for me to do.
  As for now, I think that I will just take a break from everything and let things progress as they may.
And know that I am truely sorry for those that I hurt.
       Love Chris

[crecco]

Ireneo,
  Please do not feel as though you said anything wrong. I appreciate everyones opinions. I hasve been asking for them since I first started thinking about this and am glad to finally get to hear everyones different thoughts. I want you to know that if you are able to come you would be just as welcome as anyone, and you could think out loud all that you wanted. And you do know that we would not let you be a shy wallflower. I too worry about intruding into other people lives and space, can't you tell?
  But if you can beleive it I also tend to be shy when meeting someone for the first time. I always have been. But once I get to know you, watch out because i will talk your leg off and you will find yourself wishing I would shut the heck up!
  
  I want you all to know how special you are to me, that is why I am doing this. I have listened to you all since i first came here and i am listening now. As I have said over and over, I just want this to be a weekend that we can all enjoy and remember for a long time to come. You have all done so much for me in giving me a place to come to and listening to me vent, and cry and celebrate, this is my way of giving something back to you. I have thought for a long time that I am still here for a reason but could not figure out what that reason was. Well I think that I have finally figured it out.
  I think no different of any of you for voicing your opinions. Our opinions is what makes us who we are.
  Thank you for giving me this opportunity
   Love Chris

  

[ireneo]

Talking about stepping on toes - how about sticking my foot in my mouth? I should have realized how you would respond: with open arms. My "opinion" was only based on how I tend to think. I worry, too often perhaps, about intruding into people's lives or space. So I tend to hang back and stay out of the way. But that is my thought process. It's a bit of a conflict at times because I truly enjoy people. Yet I'm the typical shy wallflower person.

I'm sorry if I gave anyone the impression that you wouldn't welcome others. That wasn't my intent at all. I was just thinking out loud about why I probably wouldn't come. For those that do make the trip, you'll be in some of the best company. Have a good time and share those hugs all around.

[Morrowville]

Well said, and thank you ladies.  Chris, please keep me on the listed of those who would like to attend!

Also, everyone, please note, I am returning to work next week, and am not available as much as before (I hear some of you cheering)... lol  let it be because I am returning to work!  lmao

I had turned off my messages and notes, but have opened them back up for friends.

love you all,
Donna

[SimplyStar]

and on second thought, I cannot see us all sitting around talking cancer and cysts all the time. This can be a week end to set those things aside and enjoy some fun good times.  If I thought it was only going to be Cancer talk, I am afraid I would have to leave all my photo albums at home, my joke books, my walking shoes. I want to learn about where you have spent vacations, who your favorite movie stars are, best reciepes, most of all I just want to get to know you all.  

[SimplyStar]

We all get YOUR POINT  Paula   I am fairly sure with gas prices the way they are and Motel costs up like crazy, that it would take a "rich fool" to break into the barriers of this meeting.  I am going to my 60th class reunion in a couple of weeks, I went to school with these people,  many years ago, that is still our comman bond, but do I know  their entire background, NO.   I do not have OVCA, or even a cyst, or even a pretended cyst, nor do I seek attention. What I want is to meet some Ladies that I have become acquainted with via the internet, I have looked into the faces of some of you  from the photos you posted, The comman bond I see is two fold, to develope a closer friendship, by meeting face to face and also to raise awareness of this damn disease. I am not afraid to meet any of you.  No one is FORCING  anyone to attend this week end, it has always been a matter of private choice.  I do  a lot of time shares all over the states,  those weeks are spent with strangers all around me, some of them end up being good friends and others remain just people I met. I was always taught  not to throw "cold water"  on someone elses parade.  Chris you are carrying this load on your shoulders for all of us,  I for one, am really appreciative,  of the  time and effort you are putting into this.

[marie3B]

Chris,

I agree with you totally.  I compare it to the Race for the Cure.  Does everyone there have breast cancer?  No. The people are there for support, to raise money, and certainly to raise awareness. Larger numbers get more attention to a cause. It sure has worked for that cause.  

I do have cancer.  I have been given all kinds of support here on this forum.  Cirella does not have cancer, but has been personally responsible for lifting my mood out of the toilet on numerous occasions. She is not the only one without cancer that is a valuable member of the forum. I don't want to name them all because I may forget someone.

I don't think we will have to set criteria on who qualifies to go.  I think only those with reason to go will want to go. I don't think any one or two time posters have expressed interest in attending. I think it will be those of us with cancer, those with a close relative with cancer, and those that came here fearing cancer and stayed to support others that will want to be there.

I like the idea of making this an annual or bi-annual event, choosing different parts of the country. That way I won't have to feel guilty about it being so close to home for me!

Thank you again, Chris, for putting so much of yourself into this event.

Much Love, Marie