I probably caused David's post, but whatever the cause, I'd like to say my piece.

The internet way of communicating takes all the emotion out of our "conversations". It's hard to let someone know how much you care when you are using dry words without using a lot of words and telling a story that is two pages long. I'm a very demonstrative person and using the little icons just seem to me to make the written word more meaningful.

David, I always appreciate your need to solve and suggest. This forum has always been one that is more directed to the research side of neuropathy. We all have worked hard to build a data base of as much knowledge about this disease as we can. And I respect that greatly. It does seem to me that the forum has developed a new feel. It's as Mrs. D says more "huggy kissy". While I greatly appreciate the work we all do here, it comes down to this...there is a time and a place for everything.

In the middle of my post on graditude for the laptop, hugs and kisses are just fine. In the middle of someone's post asking for an answer to a serious medical question, the same hugs and kisses are certainly not appropriate and I would never put them there. And I certainly hope I did not offend anyone with this post. It was not my intent.

Billye

it's like a family. you give what you can at the moment. if you have a solution or advice...you give it...if you can only offer the hug...you give that.

i do know many men feel that it is looked at is inappropriate for them to "hug" females on a forum.

and mrsd...i have to disagree ...you also come across as very caring and supportive. not just informative.

Billye:

I loved your response. Very well said!!

Mel

ha ha

Wings said he was trying give him a break. he puts a lot of work and effort and yes even caring, into his responses.

Nope.

I got a couple of very critical PM's from a very sick person who I care about a lot. To my chagrin, in trying to help I seemed to have added to that person's distress. It was regarding the LEF "Autoimmune Diseases" protocol and my urging people to never give up and keep searching and be willing to try things that might help.

I was intending to just stop posting here, but they got over it, and so did I. The Cathy cartoon was in the paper the next day. It helped me see things more clearly.

To be honest, I do the bathroom(s) sink(s), tub and toilet(s).
I do 75% of the cooking, she does the baking
(cakes, breads, cookies, etc), the dishes (most of the time)
I put them away.
I do the vacuuming.
She cleans up the dog poop and the kitty-litter box.
I dig up the garden,
she grows the flowers and veggies.
We seem to divide things pretty equally.

I'm kinda short on hugs, she doesn't cry.
Neither of us really yell.
I kinda talk loud, and am boisterous, and have been mistaken for shouting.
I think we live civilized lives, and have for over 26 years.
I dunno what this Venus/Mars thing is about, but then, I've never
been into astrology.

We just ......... DO.

David,
Please don't ever stop posting here! You have been an inspiration to me. It's important to unknown numbers of people too. Some people will be helped by the path you have walked to get to where you are with your neuropathy. Not all people will respond to it, sometimes the numbers can't be changed because of the genetics that are involved. But some will.

People who are ill, will sometimes say things they don't really mean. I know I am guilty of that, myself. When I hurt,.. am tired because I didn't sleep that night, ...when meds are changing,.. the words just come out. I know that when I feel better and think back over some of the words, I often wish I could take them back.

I certainly hope you stay. We all need you.

Billye

Nide44,

Venus and Mars have nothing to do with astrology. They're metaphors for innate gender differences. Last time I looked, we're not the same, inside and out. In general, women are more relationship and bonding oriented, men are more action and problem solving oriented. That translates into behavior: most mystery fans are women, most explorers are men, women like clothes, men like gadgets (from a boat to a new can opener). I believe that some of the misunderstandings are due to these gender differences. The result is that women sometimes feel that we don't understand and are not there for them, and men feel that women don't communicate even though they say they have, or that women are "too" emotional.

But, each of us is a combination and some don't fit the mold. Our lovely next door neighbor was a lady auto mechanic, our friend was Mr. Mom at home with the kids while his wife worked. My wife and I mix things like you and yours. She started college as a PE major and is still into weight lifting as a 60 yr. old (masculine?), and I started as a psych major and I've always loved to cook (feminine?).