Dear MBers,

I feel very lucky and privileged to have participated in this forum over the last few months. There’s so much courage, wisdom, and faith here. I’m grateful for this time with you all and for the insight and understanding I got here. Thank you.

But I can feel my emotional connection fading. I’ve tried to be helpful after my fashion, to pay back a little for what I’ve received here, but I can’t take part in a meaningful way in the main activity of providing advice. And the learning is more or less finished. So neither charity nor self-interest still bind me here. For some reason I’m not interested anymore in continuing the series of threads I started. I suppose I feel now that this isn’t the place for them – at least not for the topics I still had in mind.

And thinking about fantasy-vs-reality, I see clearly that MB itself has been at times a kind of fantasy/escape for me. I was aware of that earlier but let it go on because I was learning valuable things. But now I want to stick to the non-Internet-mediated reality of my life. This site is a bit of a temptation that I ought to be careful with.

So, this is goodbye. I may still lurk occasionally. I may possibly even post something. But don’t expect it. I’ll still pray for you all, especially for those who’ve asked me to.

God bless.

And, as a last offering, I leave you with a prayer that developed in my own prayer life out of reflections on LovingAnyway’s discussions of fantasy and reality. I call it “The Anti-Fog Prayer”. Perhaps some may find it useful in their own spiritual lives:

Lord Jesus, as You accepted to be nailed to the Cross for our salvation, so nail my heart and mind to the real. As the rough wood of the Cross bit into Your sinless flesh, so may the rough touch of reality bite into my sinful mind, and clear it of the fogs and mists of Satan. As the spear pierced Your side, so may the sharp spear of the real pierce mine, and shatter my heart of stone. And You, O Lord, give to me the heart of flesh, that You promised through Your prophet Ezekiel.

And, finally:

O passi graviora, dabit deus his quoque finem

I don't remember if I ever posted to you.. I'm wishing you a good life.

And if you don't mind I would love for you to keep me in you're prayers.

Still

Athan,

May your future journeys be guided from the good things you have learned in your life. If MB played a small part in that, I am glad. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

While our paths may never cross again, I do hope you come back and let us know how you are doing.

There is a deep connection here at MB that some of us develop. We can leave and carry that to help ourselves and others as well. This adds value to our lives.

I appreciate one who has the sense to learn and grow.

take care & aloha,
L.

A:
I thought of you this week when I recieved on of those "pass this along or you'll be hit by a bus" emails. It was St. Therese's prayer...and talked about her...how she is symbolized by roses...

Anyway...it had extra significance to me because you had "introduced" me to her.

I ususally don't pay ANY attention to those kinds of emails, but I actually did forward that one. I didn't forward it to the 11 people I was supposed to (because I was too embarrassed, so I only forwarded it to the people who would forgive me). It was just too coincidental...I wouldn't have given it another look except for you.

Interestingly, now that I think about it, there was something in there about how in "four days" something would happen if you made a wish, said the prayer and forwarded the email as directed. Yeah, right....

Guess what?

I got that email four days ago, and today I went to Plan B. I had sort of forgotten about that until I read your good-bye post.

A, you and others have inspired me to take a much more serious look at my faith, my relationship with God, and how I express that relationship in my everyday life.

God bless you. I wish you well, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your concern and prayers.

Safe travels, friend.

A:

Your not Melody Lane Are You?

Just Wondering...

I've enjoyed reading what you had to share.

I hope you will have the opportunity to use the MB principles in your life and in a possible future marriage.

Athanasius,

You probably don't remember but you bumped two threads for me (Ace) about 6 weeks ago that helped me tremendously in what I was seeking (to rebuild our trust). They were by WAT and Bob P. and although I misunderstood the intent regarding exposure to OPS, the resulting 2x4s helped me see what needed to be done. And we did it a month ago!

Although it's still early, my H and I seem to be on the road to recovery and my trust in us is rebuilding every day.

Thank you for your obedience and I'd love to see you pop in and post every now and then (more 'now' than 'then', I hope).

And when you meet the potential Mrs. A, please introduce her to us, OK?

Ace

I don't know about hhw's husband, but this...


...sounds disturbingly like me.

So, I'm checking out again.

God bless you all.

PS for Ace:

There's a new young lady in my life....I might actually be back on here someday to introduce her....It'd be an unusual date, in any case! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Bye for now A!

I loved your prayer and will adapt of for my WH. He needs it!

I hope you will come back someday.

cc

bye.

Athanasius....before you go....if you're not already gone....please check into the WHAT'S IN A NAME thread Mark started. (Your name is most intriguing and we might be cousins since our nicknames are similar now....well actually I'm old enough to be your aunt, but what's age on MB?) <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Glad to hear you have a potential lady in the picture. Looking forward to more about her when you can share. Again, thanks for your obedience to your convictions.

Ace

well A... I had just found you and was very interested.... so i am sad to here you are parting, but I pray that God blesses your life and everyone you come in contact with!
In Christ,
LITW