Hehe this will maybe annoy some, even though I am forcing them to accept a thankyou regardless.
I want to thank all the people on the forum, you humans, just you humans and no one other than you humans.
I want to go out of my way to refuse thanking God for jack squat diddly :)
I'm simply refusing to give him any credit whatsoever.
Because it was YOU that has done so much for me. YOU that has stood there and tried to make it alright, to reassure me I wasn't alone, or weird or somehow broken.
Credit where credit is due. Actions, they DO speak louder than words.
Susan, you have supported me in ways I can never thank enough. All that cash spent on this site, and with no real expectations of ever getting a cent back. The money I have donated back, it is NOT enough, likely never will be enough. If I could only win a lottery, and somehow have millions fall into my lap, well I'd love to be able to let a good dose of it fall into your hands indeed.
And there are many here that have done things above and beyond the norm, and they know who they are. It was YOU that did it, and I am not giving away your kudos to a person I think is imaginary (even if that annoys some). YOU made the difference, YOU are getting the credit.
Life comes with no guarantees, no assurances. You might be living the good life one day and tomorrow, who knows. No amount of wealth is able to deflect life from being random.
I often say wonderful things like this on a forum, and then the next day or a few months from now and something gets me all pissed off and I storm off in a huff. I've sure regretted it a few times.
But I am not here as a wargamer, and I am not here because I like anime, or models. I did not join to 'hang out' and discuss current trending news items.
No, I came here because I found out, I am a woman trapped in a man's body. And it has completely buggered up my life.
All my clothes are wrong now, and even the way I think has left me totally screwed up. My marriage is in more need of careful attention than at any other time (regardless of the previous seemingly major challenges). All of my friends and family have been put to the test.
I am now seeking to repair this form I am stuck in and nothing from my depression or my fybromyalgia has ever been this difficult to relate to.
I find myself wondering, will I want a man if I get to the point where I am actually built like a woman?
No amount of science and history expertise nor any of my trade skills have been of any real use to me in the last year.
I would likely be dead if I had not found Susan's place. And I DO mean that.
I was in no danger of dying when I told a few certain male dominated, military theme centric forums to drop dead. I was bummed out, but in no danger of doing something drastic to my health.
So I can certainly say, that while I have had a few ranting 'oh just let her bitch she'll chill out eventually' moments, in the end, I will never be in a position to regret saying, I have a debt of gratitude for all of you here.
And you will just have to accept that I am NOT giving away your credit :)
I share your non theistic perspective that it is ultimately humans that can and do solve human problems. Heck even the traditional believers encourage us with "god helps those who help themselves."
We still live in a county that espouses freedom of and FROM a state religion.
Thank you for recognizing the value of taking action vs the bitching that some confuse with political rhetoric. Yes, sometimes we do need to rant or vent but it need not be directed at an individual and you seem to have thoughtfully avoided that pitfall.
We have enough to do to successfully work through critical relationships and self identity concerns and I for one want the big tent and inclusive people supporting us.
Thank you too!