Posted by Christina on June 19, 2001 at 18:58:39:
In Reply to: I am SO GLAD I was there!!! posted by Bill R (aka GnomeDome aka Billygnome aka biggest friggin gnome you ever saw in your LIFE) on June 19, 2001 at 09:45:26:
: I am SO glad I was able to be there this year! For those of you who made it all possible (MMMMMarcia, Katie, Diana, Cecelia, Anonymous, Rich and Elaine) and those of you who who work so hard on it to make it what it is (all of the above plus the Sweetsters, Ann Colby, Sharon and Eric, the Program Guide committee and on and on)
: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
: Last year when we left Betty and I talked about it non-stop all the way home. THIS year, I rode in silence all the way home with a cloud of emotional fog swirling around in my brain. I hated leaving. I was ready to leave (tired, way tired - women need rest - not here, two leagues better water). BULLCRAP I'm staying right HERE and you ain't moving me another inch! What? Go down THAT trail to triple falls and come back UP it again????? Not unless you have a helicopter with jungle penetrator to haul my weary, big gnomely butt out of there!
: You hate leaving because it is SUCH a GREAT group and you KNOW you won't see them for another year. This was the best year hands down.
: Every year it seems to get better. I know that seems to put stress on Rich regarding how in hell could he ever top what just happened, but Rich you gotta understand it happens on its own. You and Eric have been the impetus to create a very unique group. It is magic. Once we are all together the magic happens no matter what the schedule of events. I have never, ever seen another group that bonds like this one. Never before have I seen strangers welcomed as friends and family WITHOUT FAIL. Somehow even though this group grows every year, the magic functions. You can take pride in that Rich. That is a far harder task to accomplish than arranging a sequence of sights to be visited. You are NOT a tour guide. You are the father and creator of this magical group. Eric and Sharon are its soul. Elaine is its creative genius and nurturer. And Mama Marcia is its heart in the emotional sense.
: It is no wonder Wes Studi felt at ease amongst us.
: Bill R
Wow, Bill, you summed up so well what I've been wanting to say. And now I'm getting weepy-eyed again...
Guess about the only thing I can add is that I had been waiting for this event with baited breath for exactly a year and could not have been happier with the four days I spent with all of you. Believe it or not the Red Haired Lass is a bit of an introvert and it's not always easy for me to suddenly meet a bunch of new folks, and I have never been around a group who welcomed and laughed with newcomers so easily.
There are so many people to thank...all of the folks Bill already mentioned...Miss Katie for her hard work on Ariel's Cabin and for her kindness and sense of humor...Diana S. for her friendship and for the Glammy Shammy (which saved not only MY butt but also helped out, at various times, Ros, Marcia and Dar!), the always gallant Clabert and Eric, both of whom helped me when I slipped and busted my you know what in various mud puddles and rocks in the waterfalls, the McWilliams boys for all of their humor, fellow newcomers like Theresa, Claude and Grapeshot Ramrod who instantly provided friendship and fun...the list goes on...and on...everyone was beyond kind and beyond fun...
basically you guys rule. What more can I say?
Christina