Dear Linda ~
Yes, our Leonard used to be our best-kept, beloved secret... or so we thought, even then
. How wrong even we have blissfully proved to be... and to see Leonard's bliss in the confirmation of that is worth the trip to Anywhere, Planet Earth.
Our back-and-forth is hardly "News," so we probably ought not go on and on here, so I'll let you have the last word in our conversation here, Linda. Fortunately, we're on a relatively 'older' topic ~ though not for anyone who's not read this book... I've seen the movie and
want to read the book. Unfortunately, the movie was disappointing for me in its slickness and obvious showcasing of Julia Roberts, who I love dearly, but the movie ought not have been used for that purpose. One thing I didn't notice, but someone made me aware of it, is that the movie apparently served as a showcase for product[s] promotion, as well. Now, that is sad. Meryl Streep would have made the movie a film. As it turns out, it remains a movie.
Back to our new members-and-sandbox discussion [the one we ought not keep going on about in the "News" section
], I know exactly what you mean about the sudden, seeming 'invasion.' I was most bothered by those who came for tickets and left. I loved it when new ones stayed, even if only to read, but preferably to add to the interest and beauty of 'our'
Forum. Yes, it was strange to see new names, new personas, and new thoughts/ideas/contributions. Yet, it didn't take long to feel "YES!" about it
. We ALL have benefited by the influx. Most especially... and most importantly... Leonard and Jarkko and the newcomers!
Remember the days when our time was so vast that we actually had time to squabble and, occasionally, even throw sand in each other's faces. Now, it seems we have so little time and the discussions are so many, we barely have time to read them all [I don't even come close], much less comment, and far less time to get personally into any negativity. I remember when your coming here became less and less and you would comment on not having time to read everything, that you just had to skip and hit and miss; and I wondered how can that be? Ha. Do I ever understand now!
My job relates directly to the unemployment situation. As I wrote to someone else yesterday, "In July, the rate of unemployment in the U.S. was 9.5%, in Florida 11.5%, and in the county where I live and work 14.1%. Two years ago, it was much lower than any of those rates. When I joined the Forum and in many years that followed, I had a huge amount of time at work where I could do my work, keep the Forum minimized on my desktop, and comment quickly on things, due to my typing speed. Now, not only can I not get the Forum on my work computer, but I don't have time anyway." Plus, my responsibilities at work have tripled, as we try to "do more with less [people] ~ fortunately, I still have my job! What concerns me most now with the Forum is anything new that relates to Leonard in real time; various events and gatherings that potentially relate to us all; and that newcomers be greeted [and if someone else does it, that works for me
]. Beyond that, I skip around as I'm able and keep going, returning later to other sections to try to keep up, which I seem unable to do.
So, for all the new blood and joy the newcomers have brought, I am grateful. New friendships continue to form, new legacies and traditions continue to be created, and we all continue to grow in Leonard's world
. I dare say that conflict of any kind is gorgeously difficult to find anywhere on the Forum now. What a wonderful testament to the living legacy Leonard is leaving us and how fortunate we are to have such a fine role model in our lives.
~ Lizzy
xoxox
. Promise I'll do better next time. All good things.]