Vim's Umbrella - Page 3 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Eseret · 09-25-2008, 07:55 PM

Oh Vim....

Being a grandmother is the best gift all around. It is so much fun and very rewarding! I'm now raising my ten-year old granddaughter Krystal and it's turning into the best time of my life. Truly God gave me a special place on this Earth to make sure she's taken care of.

Congrats granny!!!!!!

Vim&Vigour · 10-20-2008, 03:02 PM

Tears are rippling over the sand, ebbing and flowing with the sobs. Forming rivulets of sand from the salt of my daughter's tears... She is child no more, has baby no more and I'm no longer granny in the making...
Instead, we are taking another line in our paths of motherhood, together apart. We have bonded even further the umbilical bond that was cut not many years ago. Invisible liens that hold us close...
A new chapter for her and a taste of what could have been for us both...
Hugs and tender love, comfort and joy in the safety of understanding.
Tomorrow brings another opportunity, another horizon.
Blessings in disguise, new plans, same aspirations and hopes. Just another timing, another outlook and another chance. Our glasses are half full. In fact, brimming with promise of a new tomorrow...

Vim

Gwen · 10-22-2008, 04:45 AM

My sincerest condolences dear Vim

Warmest hugs

xxx

Vim&Vigour · 10-22-2008, 06:08 AM

Thank you Gwen for your hugs!
They do help!
Am gradually coming round and
my daughter is feeling better and stronger.
Vim

Vim&Vigour · 10-22-2008, 06:12 AM

Thinner Times came into my life nearly a year ago. I had absolutely no idea whatsoever that a website could have such an amazing impact on my life!

I seem to recall that in November 2007 there were about 5 500 members – today nearly 8000! The Forum has lost a little of its specialization and intimacy for me, but then again, I am no longer that Newbie, hungry for any and all information.

I find I respond differently today to newcomers: I sit back, wait and see whether the Newbies are actually here to stay as Senior Members or jump ship before. Only then do I interact with Newbies.

Claire-in-Texas put it elegantly in that some of us are leaders, some teachers and some motivators, some followers. I am renowned for my infinite patience in nearly all things. However, I have virtually none when it comes to teaching. Sadly, I do not have the leaders’ staying power and gift of welcoming each and everyone on our remarkable journey of change. To you who do, a warm thank you! The more “empowered” I have become from this surgery, the more “impatient” I am becoming! I am so busy catching up on LIVING, actively DOING something, for someone or, believe it or not, for MYSELF! And I am relishing it!!!

Perhaps the immense effort of getting wls off the ground means that one explores every single avenue and gives it one’s best attention. The more “out”, the more focused we become on what is, to us, “important”.

I have invested my energies in the Senior Members that existed when I arrived as a Newbie. Many, many of the then Senior Members have become real virtual friends, people whom I’d actually wish to look up if I ever were to visit the USA. Though intimate on this Forum, I am usually very, very, private and weary of “befriending” people just because they happened to do the same as I, they end up only being friendly ships in the night.

Immensely fortunately, I have had virtually no side-effects whatsoever. No dumping, no hospital emergencies, no vomiting… NOTHING! (I did have that brilliant Dr. Bruno Dillemans!!!). And none of that pre-op American half year of agonizing waiting with tests and hoops… No insurance hurdles… Neither have I had any divorce, marriage, birth or dramatic bereavement. So, why even bother with TTF you may wonder? The answer lies in the emotional development for me. The spiritual aspect I have usually taken comfortable care of but it is the raw emotions that have lead to the weight gain…

TTF has been and remains an amazing tool to help unpeel the layers of the onion, to unzip the fat suit. For me it is of learning how to move on and face the truth (as Gina describes), but more in the face of adversity. Being able to find the emotional support on here continues to be a true gift from you all. You help me deal with sad subjects (such as the death of my darling little Pug puppy and just this weekend my daughter’s miscarriage). You help me get a grip on situations which are stressful such as how to handle my same young daughter’s unexpected pregnancy and my encounter in the world of work with “Professor EBL”! I have had you to turn to instead of food! And yes, I do have a lot of friends in the real world, but sometimes one does not wish to reveal “all”, one needs a protective distance, or it is frankly none of their business to “share”. So, why you? Well, distance, virtual especially, does help. And for another, you are always there, 24/7, and the responses are instant1

Well, I have been a taker for this whole last year. I am truly grateful for your friendships, expressed in many forms. You have given me so much strength, fun, headcool, affirmation, confirmation, giggles and things to ponder over. My Seniors are often those who pop in occasionally, updating on the technical aspects of their pouch and changes in career, home move, divorce or other happier development in their lives. I feel I am a bird sitting on the window sill, half in and half out. A real pity I could not make it on the TT Cruise – I would really have loved to celebrate with you all.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not leaving, at least not in the foreseeable future! I don’t feel I have anything “meaningful” to impart (now that a good part of soul searching is behind me). It seems to me that the Forum garden has taken on a whole lot of new plants in the last few months. I’m happy to add a little fertilizer here and there, let others do the watering. Time will soon tell the plants from the weeds!

I am very impressed with John Callery’s unstinting work in the growth and maintenance of Thinner Times Forum. So young, thoughtful, capable and imaginative on behalf of nearly 8000 members. I am sad however that the site has gone through, what is hopefully only a bad patch, bitchiness and stabbing. It certainly did not have that when I joined, though there were some hot arguments at the time! Please, please, hold back, don’t spoil it for others. If you have an issue, don’t let it get ugly. PM or email the “offender” and sort any contradictions you have off line. Squabbles take up valuable space and are an irritant to others. Not a question of being prude or whatever, just unnecessary! One of the Senior Members today has become so disenchanted that the Member was/is seriously considering leaving TTF. So sad when you think what remarkable support we have on here.

So, to each and every one of you, my WARMEST THANKS so far! You are a REMARKABLE bunch and GREAT FRIENDS! Thank you for making me happy and keeping me sane!

Cheers,
Vim

Toony · 10-22-2008, 06:41 AM

Sooooo sorry to hear about the grandchild. Hugs to you Sweet Vim and to your daughter as well. The pain has to be consuming - and hopefully will ease in time.

As for your amazing PONDERMENT (Ponder is one of my favorite words)... I've posted there as well.

Love you Vimmmmmm!

katie

blisandt · 10-22-2008, 06:59 AM

I am PLANNING to be here a year from now. May my wisdom be half as great as yours by then!

Hugs and gratitude for your balanced observations.

Vim&Vigour · 10-22-2008, 07:04 AM

Thank you for your feelings Katie!
My daughter has matured overnight it seems! And she knows who her real friends are - they have helped her through it a lot!

Blisandt!
Thank you for your compliments! I'm pretty certain you'll indeed be one of those around in a year's time!
How is your recovery going? Not too sore by now I hope!
Cheers,
Vim

blisandt · 10-22-2008, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vim&Vigour

Blisandt!
Thank you for your compliments! I'm pretty certain you'll indeed be one of those around in a year's time!
How is your recovery going? Not too sore by now I hope!
Cheers,
Vim

I am still preop!!!

I got my op date.. but it is in Dec.. Dec 10.. I am counting down with determination and excitement.

Vim&Vigour · 10-22-2008, 07:25 AM

Sorry Blisandt!
My apologies - I read too quickly! You had a date on 2nd October, not surgery!
The more you are prepared, the better you can deal with the situation.

Do you remember talking about sex when an older kid, having a good idea about it and actually not yet having "done" it? Well, surgery seemed a little like that to me. All the talk about the surgery and how it was going to be was something I could understand and envisage, but living the dream turned out to be better still!

Cheers,
Vim