I wouldn’t fart…honest… 
Have custom-made rodent travel bag, will drive! 
Should you feel something like a heated chamois curl up next to your neck and give you tiny warm kisses, don’t panic - that’s a virtual snuggle from Lucas, my young hairless rat. He’s feeling a bit beaten up today too, so although he wasn’t up to pictures, he thought he’d share some tactile comfort.
Levity is good! Glad you’re up to it.
I still have that invitation open to City of Villains. It’s a good way to work out frustrations. Let me know and I’ll send you a trialkey; you might like the place.
Faithfool,
although we’re not facing exactly the same problems, I do want to help. Hope this post does.
After my parents passed and I recovered, I spoke to a colleague whose mother was seriously ill.
Because I had been there myself, I was able to comfort and prepare her.
I was astonished at my achievement, because I’m a typical geeky nerd (chess, computers, roleplaying). I’d never done more that a few standard phrases of comfort before.
So if you would like a long-term aim, how about being a counsellor? I don’t mean a fully qualified professional, but someone who helps out with a support group or maybe answers phone calls (like the Samaritans).
Because when suffering people say in desperation ‘you don’t know how it feels!’, you can honestly reply ‘actually I do - I’ve been through this myself.’
Oh, and levity is fine. I don’t know about your sense of humour, but I think these to cover everything…
Where do rabbits learn to fly?
In the Hare Force!
A man shopping catches the eye of a beautiful woman.
“Hello there,” she says happily. “You’re the father of one of my children!”
The man thinks quickly.
“Err, you were the one I had on the pool table, while your room-mate whacked me with a badminton racket?”
She looks puzzled.
“No, I’m your daughter’s teacher.”
:eek:
Warm fuzzies ahead, bunnies frolicking, rainbows, lollipops and LOTS of smilies. You’ve been warned…
Yesterday, and so far this morning (but I’ve only been up an hour), was pretty happy. For the first time since the surgery, everything seemed to level out and once and stay that way all day long. Woohoo! Snoopy happy dance!! Anyway, I just wanted to share that because everyone has been wonderful to me and if you’ve taken me during the storm, I figured some silver lining was in order.
[ul]
[li]Redfrost: Thank you for the sweet compliment. Og knows I don’t feel like I have “amazing strength” or, for that matter, any at all. But I’ll defer to your excellent suggestion of chocolate. Is it okay to put it on a burrito? 
And just for your information, no one should probably ever encourage me to do “whatever makes me feel good.” Because I really shouldn’t be adding any time in the pokey to my extensive list of problems. BWAHAHAHAHA! [/li][li]Napier: First chocolate and now ice cream. Have y’all got some sort of conspiracy going on here? Just trying to make my ass huge or something? I see how it goes. Wanting to plump me up for that mean chick who hoped to eat poor old Hansel and Gretel, so there’ll be a glimpse inside that super cool house and then you guys will get to eat the whole thing up. But I will be the one eaten. :eek: So not fair.[/li]… oh, wait. :o 
[li]TroubleAgain: Now see, Ima thinkin’ I shoulda not trust you, with a username like dat and all. ;)[/li][li]Selkie: Damn, I’d love to see Lucas too! They both should sign up to be Dopers. Regardless, I can always use “a heated chamois curl up next to [me!] your neck and give [me!] you tiny warm kisses,” virtual or otherwise.[/li][li]THE Hermit: I think you should change what everyone addresses you by here… so that your initials could read MMH, for MY Mad Hermit. I mean, ‘cause we’re like message board steadies, right? [ ::: shuffles feet and blushes ::: ] I hope I ain’t talkin’ outta school. Wanna meet up in study hall?[/li][li]glee: That is very helpful! Before D-Day, I used to volunteer at a women’s shelter. Afterwards, I understood that I could no longer focus for them right and be unable to handle any stress, mine or theirs. But since then, I have considered doing something similar. However, I figured I really wouldn’t do a service to anyone, ya know? I suppose though that I’d be okay from simply a perspective level. Guess, I’m just not sure. I’d still be terrified that I’d suck at it and hurt someone else. [/li]
And I LOVE your jokes!! The Hare Force had me rolling.
[/ul]
As I’ll say to infinity (and beyond!), thank you all. My week (and beyond!) has been made. You’re all amazing, terrifically helpful, gorgeous people. Your concern, compassion, support and extra super duper assistance has been a life saver. Again, for the toe-kicking-dirt moment, I love each and every one of you (and beyond!). And since for once I’d like to keep that simple for greater heartfeltness impact, I’ll leave it at that.
The only other thing of note is in regards to the endeavor that we might want to pursue… I still haven’t heard back from the Magic man, but as soon as I do, I promise to let the Most Perfect Group in the World know.
Huggles,
~Kemi
P.S. Sorry once more for still not having caught up on my emails yet. 
I’ve been so elated for the last 24+ hours, that I just zoned. I promise they’ll be in the mail soon though. Please be as patient with me as y’all have here and I’ll share my chocolate ice cream.
WoooHooooo! The best news I’ve heard lately!
[quote]
[li]THE Hermit: I think you should change what everyone addresses you by here… so that your initials could read MMH, for MY Mad Hermit. I mean, ‘cause we’re like message board steadies, right? [ ::: shuffles feet and blushes ::: ] I hope I ain’t talkin’ outta school. Wanna meet up in study hall?[/li][/quote]
WHAT?? Okay, who’s this Hermit dude and what’s he doing hangin’ 'round here?
[ ::: shameless flirting – bats eyelashes at Nic ::: ]
Well, ya know I don’t only gots to have one, right? 
Alright, so I’m resurrecting this a bit to let the guys (that have expressed interest here) know we’ve gotten the go ahead to start a group. Skip said to it’s all okay. Since then I’ve posted this thread for whatever’ll come next.
Hope to see you all there!
Lurve again,
~Kemi
I was glad to hear of your day of feeling better. Any updates on the time since? How you holding up? I hope the “feeling better” thing is keeping up it’s end of the deal.