I have noticed lately that a lot of members seem to be very sensitive about how people respond to the choices they make regarding oc/ow. I am hardly ever offended by anything anyone says, and I thought I would share a story that explains WHY I don't take offense to anybody who disagrees with what I do or say. <P>When I was growing up, my dad used to tell us a story about Davy Crockett (or it may have been Daniel Boone - dad told lots of stories about both and I sometimes get them mixed up). I do not claim that this is actually a "true life" story, but it may be. (Although my dad is an ardent history buff, he often changed things around to suit his story-telling purposes.) Anyway, the story goes like this:<P>On the eve of Santa Anna's attack at the Alamo, the commander gathered the men together and said, "We are in for a rough one here. We are outnumbered and short on ammunition. Because staying here would most likely result in death, I am going to give you all a choice. You may stay and fight, or you may choose to leave now while there is still time. I remind you that there is much at stake here, but I would not think less of any man who chooses to leave. As such, I ask those who choose to stay to identify themselves by taking one step forward."<P>Silence ensued. Finally, Davy Crockett took one step forward. Everyone gasped. One man asked, "Why, Crockett? To stay is to die!"<P>Davy replied, "If you know what is right for you, you must go ahead with it."<P>You all know how the Alamo went down, and how courageous Davy Crockett's choice was. But his choice wasn't right for everybody there. Some men may have had families that relied upon their survival. Some may have had other reasons for not volunteering to stay. But Crockett, he knew what was right for him, and he did it.<P>Similarly, I know that what my H and I are doing is right for us. I can't (and won't) claim to know if it is right for anybody else here. And what is right for us now may not be right for us tomorrow. You all know what is right for you in your unique situation. So, go ahead with it. Don't worry about what anybody else thinks of your choices. Just do what is right and don't worry about what anybody else thinks of you.<P>-cd

Well said CD. I do believe that the story is true, because I seem to remember hearing the same one. But, like you, I'm not sure which person it was about. I believe it was Crockett. That was a good analogy to what we are all going through and the choices we've made about our lives as they are right now. Everyone IS different, and reacts differently to this type of situation.<P>Thank you for putting it that way.<P>Love,<P>Tigger

No,no,no,<P> Crockett was that little bug that hung out with Pinochio!<P> God bless you,<P>------------------<BR>Gregg

Gregg ... I think you have your fairy tales a bit confused. Everyone knows it was David Bowie that was at the Alamo - you know, the one with the Bowie knife! <P>sb<P>P.S. Before anyone thinks I am as foolish as I sound, let me confirm that A) Davy Crockett was one of the 189 heroes who died fighting for the independence of Texas at the Alamo; B) the Bowie who died at the Alamo was James, and he was indeed the man who designed the Bowie knife; C) 46 days after the massacre at the Alamo, General Sam Houston led 783 Texans to victory over about 1500 Mexican soldiers, rousing them with the battle cry "Remember the Alamo!" - winning Texas its independence from Mexican rule.<P>Enough history?

One or two more bits of history: The commander of the Alamo was a 26 year old man by the name of William B. Travis. He was one of the first to fall defending the north wall of the Alamo. Jim Bowie, co-commander of the Alamo, was actually killed in his bed, where he was suffering from pneumonia. He was 41 years old. Davy Crockett was 50.<P>sb

And, finally, I must add this: cdcollins, you are right on the mark with this. As I recall there is an MB forum member - maybe not a regular participant of this particular forum - who has the following in her signature:<P> <B>Courage</B><P> Whatever course you decide upon,<BR> there is always someone to tell you<BR> that you are wrong.<P> There are always difficulties arising<BR> which tempt you to believe that your <BR> critics are right.<P> To map out a course of action <BR> and follow it to an end <BR> requires courage.<P> <I>Ralph Waldo Emerson</I><P>If you truly believe that you are doing what is right for you and your family, then it doesn't matter what everyone else is doing. You have to believe in yourself... a tough thing to do in the situations that many of you are finding yourselves in...<P>sb