MMMkay so I get to vote and post my thoughts too how awesome is this place here

First Like Lara , I post in and visit alot of other forums here, the T.N forum the O.N. , depression, sanctuary, social , the creative forum new members sometimes I stumble in to the M.S. forum even... I dont have the SOS forum "bookmarked "
But I feel most comfortable here in the SOS and the T.N. forums.

When I first found my way here Bizi my hero helped me be able to help my best closest pal. I met more and more of you and you have all become like my special dear "other" family. I seem to be able to find most of my family in the sos forum not up stairs in the sub forum.
we have tryed the sub forum for a good few weeks and well
I like sos how it was . Just one big forum. Just like life is with the good the bad the dark the light the confusiing the brillant, the falling down the getting up and everthing in between ...everything all wraped together in ONE magnificant little sos forum. and just like in real life each and every one of us ,readers can either read that thread or move on to another that maybe more helpful or is more fitting for their wants. too you can post/start your own thread and the support help and replies will warmly follow their way to you.

I do understand that suicide IS NOT funny or light hearted and when the topic comes up or there is a post that is on the serious side it is treated as serious and with understanding and compassion. I dont remember anyone joking or being funny when suicide or the dark thoughts are in our midst. and I think most of us if we do not know what to say dont say anything ...we give hugs. we support each other we vent we cry we try to shine some light or share a smile.... we are SOS.
thats it

soo MMMMaky I gotta go vote but I aint saying how I am voting NOPE not a word .

I'm fine with saying what I voted just now. I voted to keep the subforum.
I find it unsettling to arrive at the forums at times to see some really serious posts or threads mixed in with some really off-topic ones.

The forum seems to go through times when there is a lot of really fast off-topic chatter in the threads which is fine, but I think it could perhaps be somewhat overwhelming for people who are new or in dire need of support at that particular time.

Anyway, it's not up to me, but I voted. I wholeheartely agree with whomoi who wrote this some time back...

Quoting whomoi:

EDITED LATER to ADD this: I had some concerns about my post here in case it was not read or interpreted the way I had meant it, but didn't want to bump it up to write a new post so am just adding on here...

I just wanted to say that I'm absolutely positive that any request by a member or members for the subforum were made with the most sincere intent and for the good of the whole forum and were not made to cause any problems whatsoever. I wasn't going to post moi's quote about his own feelings but thought it was important. I'm sure he doesn't mind. It is relevant to me because of what was happening on the forums at the time the request (or requests?) were made. I totally understand the need for balance as Addy has mentioned. I can also see both sides, but in historical context, I also understand why it was requested.

Oh gosh, I can see both sides......so I don't think I will vote. sorry.
wait-can I vote twice???

I wanted to post a quick reply again and share some of what me and Lara talked about and thank her for her post and for sharing her thoughts and to make sure everyone knows neither of us are angry or upset.... here is part of what I told her and it is very true.
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your reply made me realize it is not about me being comfortable so much as it is a new one or on looker or someone that has just gathered enough guts and strength to come to the forum for help. seeing something way off the subject isnt the best thing and can in fact hurt more then help..but how would we know or have a chance to help cus after seeing a o.t. post they never stayed long enough to post and let us know.
I am glad you replied and shared ...thanks for helping me see better or think a bit more .....
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Please vote
Thank you

PEACE
BMW

I am the middle child, always the peace maker. So, it truly does not matter to me either way. I will admit I rarely go "upstairs". But that isn't because I disagree with the sub forum! it is only because I have been taxed emotionally since it started.

Having said all that, I do of course have my 2 cents to throw in

I am going to go back to last year, when I decided to join this forum..now let me tell you why....

When my Dad took his life, I could not deal with the emotional hell I found myself in. I admitted I needed help and saw doctors, but I needed more! I desperately needed to connect with other people who had lost a loved one to suicide.

I had never heard of survivors of suicide, it was only through researching that I found out this is what they call loved ones left behind after a suicide. I knew I could not be the only survivor falling apart, I hoped there had to be other people who lived through this, I prayed I could find them, and the strength to make it, to survive.

I searched many many sites and forums. I even posted on a couple of others. What made this forum unique to me, what made me keep coming back... was the love and support found here!!!

I was new then, I was in desperate need, more desperate than I care to admit. It did not bother me that there were other posts not dealing with just surviving a loved ones suicide.

Though it was a survivors of suicide forum, I saw that there were post from people who were depressed, posts on dealing with suicidal thoughts, post lifting a member up, post about wonders and full plates etc etc..... What I saw, was people had indeed survived!! And it gave me hope! Something I was in dire need of.

I think what makes this forum family so special to me is no one is ever turned away. If someone is in need, people rally to offer support and show love.

When I am depressed, I am not told to go to the depression forum..

When I thought I was going to lose my mom to congestive heart failure, I wasn't told to post in that forum ....

When I need to talk about the never ending grief of losing my husband to Alzheimer's .. I am not told to go to the Alzheimer's forum....

I could go on and on about the different things all of you have helped me survive...all the different trials we have helped each other through in this journey we are on. This forum is about survival, about life. It is the mix that makes it unique and makes it work.

I am no smarter than the average bear, and I was able to sift through the different posts to find what I needed at that time. When I posted, everyone rallied to my side. As much as I needed to talk about Dad's suicide, and still do! It is the wonders, the wonder of the friends I have come to know and dearly love, that keeps me coming back.

I will love you here, or "upstairs" - just thought I would share my experience in joining this wonderful family

Bump, for anyone who hasn't voted yet.

Coming up on the end of the poll... I appreciate everyone's feedback and opinions. I understand how this can be a tough decision and that the desire to create the social forum in the first place was made with the best of intentions. These things don't always work out, though, and it's just the way it is -- the ebb and flow of the needs of the community are constantly changing.

If you're still on the fence, though, please put your two cents into the poll!

Thank you,
DocJohn

As ((BMW)) would say, mmmmmkay.

Shall we do a poll on how long to keep this poll going?

Looks to me like the majority has chosen to close the upstairs social chat.

lol Doody

the poll closed yesterday and yup, the vote is for bye bye subforum

Doc will be pushin' da buttons to merge the two back to one big broom soon

The poll has been closed Doody...we just need to be combined with the downstairs....where's dat monkey when we need her!!