Date: Saturday, June 06, 1998 11:53 PM Subject: 1998 Volume 2

Okay! I warned you! 
It's not day now, it's night. 
And here we go!!!!
Did ya get those mailboxes cleaned out??

waxing sentimental here tonight...not sure why
Remember the new year's eve letter? 
Think of this as the summer version
*lol*

Hey!
If you've heard this or if it gets boring
...scroll....scroll......scroll!!!!




Last chance....


Okay! Be prepared!
*LOL*



Many of you have heard parts of this , 
I don't think anyone, even Tues ,
knows the entire thing.

My Grandfather , Robert Edgar , started a business in the late
1880's called R.E.Hager and Sons.. (Grandfather wasn't real
original     *lol*)  It was located in a small mining community.   
Later he moved the business to town(translated.. population fewer
than 5000.) and he turned a grocery business into a dry goods store,
selling clothes , mining supplies and notions (thread , cloth ,
sheets , etc).

When he died my father , Leslie , took over and ran the business for
the family. It prospered under my Dad's hand despite a manipulative
sister and alcoholic brother. When he died, Mom and I weren't able to
feign as well. Dad's sister and brother used some underhanded
practices to withdraw all the savings and certificates Dad had
managed to squirrel away for the business. We didn't find this out
until years after it was done, as the alcoholic uncle held the reigns
of the accounts.

When I finished college , the business was in jeopardy and it wasn't
long before we had to declare bankruptcy. I won't go into details
except to say we almost lost everything we had, as our home had stood
good for a business loan. I now have a new perspective when people
are suffering through financial difficulties. We ultimately did lose
the "family" home that my Dad and his brothers had paid for.We had no
savings, no money to help get us out of this.

I was substitute teaching during the day and was fortunate enough to
have steady work that way, I taught many as private lessons each week
after school (about 30 hours worth), bartended and waitressed at night
and served as pianist on Sunday mornings for the local Catholic
church. And yes, all at the same time, week after week after week.

At times our water was turned off, we had no phone for periods of
time , no TV for over three years, no heat several times
..the most extended period was from March to October one year,
and had a huge fear of going to the door or answering the phone for
fear it was someone talking about another bill.
It was tough.
I know others have had it as rough , and I'm not saying mine
was worse or better than anyone else's...it was just mine.

I was lucky enough to finally get a full time teaching job and was
able to quit bartending at night , but I was now providing sole
support for my mother and grandmother (who still live with me and we
won't go there!!!*lol*)See...in W.Va...if a partnership , which our
business was, declares bankruptcy, then you have to declare personal
bankruptcy and all your personal assets can be seized to settle
your debts. And bankruptcy , poverty, need....are bad words in this
area. There were times that business people that I had worked with
for years, crossed the street to keep from speaking. Very few, and I
mean very few, even bothered to come by and say..."How are you?"

Anyway...we struggled for a number of years. 
The bankruptcy is off the credit report now, 
teacher's wages have gone up and things seem okay. 
I'm still a miser! *LOL* And HATE to let a 
coupon go unused or miss that triple coupon day that Kroger's has!!!!

Now
Why spill my guts???
It's because of this.....

In the past 18 months you all have saved my life. Whether you know it
or not...I had forgotten how to communicate and interact with people
, especially with adults. With so many jobs there was no time for the
social things. I couldn't express myself verbally or in writing.
you have helped me more than I will ever be able to put into words or say.

Some think that cyber friends aren't real. Ha! (That was sarcasm! *lol*)
What could be more real than sharing your thoughts , your dreams ,
your goals and your fantasies? 
Friendship is a thing of the mind and the heart , not the body,
and I know some of my cyber friends more intimately than I know
people I see every day of my life.

You have been generous with your time,
Free with your love ,
and more than compassionate 
with your understanding.
And I thank you and love all of you for it. 
Friends are truly what fills the heart.

With that in mind...here are 1998 reflections
...Volume 2


*Harumph*!!! Okay....*Taps podium* 
Pay attention here!
I can do this. :c)

"My June Observations"

California IS as cheap as Syracuse if you 
have the right long distance
provider but Canada and the Netherlands 
are STILL expensive!!

AT&T still loves me

Sometimes December romances come back as 
wonderful Spring friendships
and thrive in a new kind of love.

Patience comes on a Tuesdee.

Love can't see age or color or 
economic conditions.

A small mention on a webpage says a lot 
when it comes from a teenager.

Roses from Bluemountain can smell as sweet 
as any that have ever been sent.

There is more than one important Washington.

Being remembered on a list can be a 
very nice thing.

You all don't answer these things as much 
as I'd like! *lol*

I really DO have an Ak-Sent!!

But then...so do you :c)  
And diversity truly is the spice of life.

Never doubt love when you find it
...hold on to it even when others aren't
sure what you do is right. :c) Jen and Byron

Never settle...even in your friendships
... for anything less
than respect and caring. 
The other hurts too much.

AT&T reaaaaallllllllyyyyy loves me!

The world is not so big when viewed 
through the eyes of a friend.

A bear hug can make you grin even 
when you think you can't. ((((((Mike))))))

I love to travel! And it isn't just the 
mountains that speak to me...it's
nature in general.

Sometimes cyber parties are more real 
than ones you can touch.

And touching each other is done best 
through the heart.

My heart is bigger than I ever dreamed 
it could be , because it's been
filled with so many of you.

I don't say "thank you" to you nearly enough.

AT&T just proposed

God created voice mail just for web users.

And voices can bring warmth to the heart 
and a smile to your lips.

There are more great thinkers and poets and 
writers on the net than will
ever be published.

I like left brained people.

Principals are people too but they all 
like blonde jokes. And I still
haven't found any truly new ones.

You make me smile. :c) :o} BcD

And with a smile the day doesn't seem as long, 
or as lonely as it might have
been otherwise.

I need to explain these lists to Ruth *lol*


I want webtv's keyboard...showoffs :c)

I don't listen enough.

And listening to others is a privilege 
of friendship , not a burden.

No, AT&T, we cannot marry and adopt MCI

My job reflects who I am but it no longer 
defines what I am.

And finally, at least for now...
just the thought that you have made my life
so much better than it would have been 
had we never met.


You are the artists , the writers , 
the postman , the EMS worker, the
teachers, the homemakers, the new mothers, 
the health care workers , the salespersons,
the students , the musicians , the drivers , 
the shop owners , and so many
other things that I am not aware of 
but most of all, 
and most important to me ,

you are my friends.

Thank you for that honor.

*hugs* and *smiles*
      Brenda

In memory of Ziyal , and Hope and Zankin 
and Hali and all those who allowed
themselves to slip quietly away from the 
circle of love and support

This last thing isn't original...it came from 
"Life's Little Treasure Book" on wisdom.
But it sure is appropriate.

"Don't forget that the quality of your 
life will be determined by the
quality of people in your life."

My quality...btw....is great! :c)

Yes, I'll probably be embarrassed 
when I see you each again for gushing so
much...but....Now ya know! :c)







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