Post by Michael John on Feb 9, 2009 2:55:32 GMT -5
Jeez, where do I start ...
When Sheri started the Pay It Forward effort, I was amazed at the immediate responses. Then, once it started building momentum and everyone came running like country neighbors to put out a barn fire, I was absolutely dumb-founded! It's STILL hard for me to believe the love that's been shown here. I mean, all I asked Sheri for was to keep me in her prayers, and her decision not to let it go at that turned into THIS! Honestly, I'm STILL in shock.
A few days after this all started, I was in IM with Sheri when the fruits of her efforts started to hit my PayPal account. First one payment, then another, then another ... I honestly couldn't believe my eyes! Sheri can attest to the fact that I was an emotional wreck as this was happening. I just couldn't fathom that people who I don't even know, face-to-face, were actually helping me in my time of crisis!
Since Sheri started this, I've also been listing my stone for sale. Although all of you are helping me IMMENSELY, I just can't sit back and not continue with my own effort. Well, the response there has been amazing, too. People are buying my stuff that I know DARN WELL don't need it. Heck, I put some Chrysocolla up for sale, someone bought it, and then someone else paid to buy it before I even got the listing marked as SOLD. I refunded that payment, and yet someone else inquired about wanting it!
For years, I've been somewhat of a hermit. With the general condition of the world, and so many terrible experiences I've had with people, I gradually became withdrawn, even somewhat afraid to leave my house. I've had SO many people who claimed to be my friends do me SO wrong, SO many times, that I haven't even tried to make any friends, for a very long time. So, besides the main help you've all given, you've also had good side-effects on me. You've all given me renewed faith that there are still a lot of good people walking around on this planet, and you've taught me that there still is good reason to do good things for others, regardless if people have taken advantage of me in the past. For me, these are BIG things, as this gradual loss of hope had taken it's toll on me. This has TRULY been a life-changing experience for me. You've all done MUCH more for me than you can imagine.
OH ... and once again, let me get back to my FRIEND Steve (northshorerocks). BESIDES making a 4000 MILE round trip to help me, he bought two batches of my stuff just before he left home to come out here, THEN, after he got back home, he listed a batch of his stones to participate in the PIF effort! OH - MY - GOD ... can you BELIEVE this guy??? I mean, if you had asked me a few weeks ago, I would have told you that guys like him don't exist! And now a man like this is actually MY FRIEND! That's just overwhelmingly mind-boggling to me. "I AM NOT WORTHY" ... LOL!
All of you have contributed to a cause that has literally changed my life, in many ways. What you've done is the greatest act of kindness that I've ever experienced. Words cannot express how I feel about you, and this is an experience that I'll never forget, and will always be one of the greatest things that's happened in my life. Nothing that I could do could ever begin to repay what you've all done for me, so I think the best thing that I can do is to assure you that you've "made a true believer" of me, and let you know that whenever I can, I will always do my very best to pass-on what you've shown me, which is unconditional, selfless kindness, regardless of the past or future.
When everyone's help started pouring-in, the number of people involved was phenomenal, so I figured I'd wait a little and say a big THANK YOU at "the end", but this "snowball" is still rolling, and I just CAN'T contain myself any longer. I'd like to thank the following people, from the bottom of my heart ...
northshorerocks
RockHobbit
catmandewe
mynewhobby
naturenut
sitnwrap
Lady B
Bikerrandy
Titania
woodyrock
tonyturner
bejewelme
kap
llana2go
steveholmes
misguidedone
UtahRockHound
bushmanbilly
frane
weeshan
bouldergal
MrP
ejs
ASI Industries
renterdan
free2rockhound
akansan
Larry
rockieroad
Blarneystone
nancyid
James King
adrian65
stonesthatrock
beef
rockrookie
Jurrasic Jonje
firstrune
If I missed anyone in the list, please accept my apology. I spent a lot of time and effort trying to make sure that I didn't forget anyone, but I'm far from perfect. Thank You!
There were also people who contributed who, for whatever reasons, did not wish to be known or recognized. Thank you!
And I'd like to thank EVERYONE on this forum, as I understand that although you didn't monetarily participate in this phenomenon, your heart was certainly there. If you wanted to help, but you're in a bad situation yourself, remember what's happened here, and when your situation gets better, reach-out to help those who are less fortunate.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU
(((GROUP HUG)))
When Sheri started the Pay It Forward effort, I was amazed at the immediate responses. Then, once it started building momentum and everyone came running like country neighbors to put out a barn fire, I was absolutely dumb-founded! It's STILL hard for me to believe the love that's been shown here. I mean, all I asked Sheri for was to keep me in her prayers, and her decision not to let it go at that turned into THIS! Honestly, I'm STILL in shock.
A few days after this all started, I was in IM with Sheri when the fruits of her efforts started to hit my PayPal account. First one payment, then another, then another ... I honestly couldn't believe my eyes! Sheri can attest to the fact that I was an emotional wreck as this was happening. I just couldn't fathom that people who I don't even know, face-to-face, were actually helping me in my time of crisis!
Since Sheri started this, I've also been listing my stone for sale. Although all of you are helping me IMMENSELY, I just can't sit back and not continue with my own effort. Well, the response there has been amazing, too. People are buying my stuff that I know DARN WELL don't need it. Heck, I put some Chrysocolla up for sale, someone bought it, and then someone else paid to buy it before I even got the listing marked as SOLD. I refunded that payment, and yet someone else inquired about wanting it!
For years, I've been somewhat of a hermit. With the general condition of the world, and so many terrible experiences I've had with people, I gradually became withdrawn, even somewhat afraid to leave my house. I've had SO many people who claimed to be my friends do me SO wrong, SO many times, that I haven't even tried to make any friends, for a very long time. So, besides the main help you've all given, you've also had good side-effects on me. You've all given me renewed faith that there are still a lot of good people walking around on this planet, and you've taught me that there still is good reason to do good things for others, regardless if people have taken advantage of me in the past. For me, these are BIG things, as this gradual loss of hope had taken it's toll on me. This has TRULY been a life-changing experience for me. You've all done MUCH more for me than you can imagine.
OH ... and once again, let me get back to my FRIEND Steve (northshorerocks). BESIDES making a 4000 MILE round trip to help me, he bought two batches of my stuff just before he left home to come out here, THEN, after he got back home, he listed a batch of his stones to participate in the PIF effort! OH - MY - GOD ... can you BELIEVE this guy??? I mean, if you had asked me a few weeks ago, I would have told you that guys like him don't exist! And now a man like this is actually MY FRIEND! That's just overwhelmingly mind-boggling to me. "I AM NOT WORTHY" ... LOL!
All of you have contributed to a cause that has literally changed my life, in many ways. What you've done is the greatest act of kindness that I've ever experienced. Words cannot express how I feel about you, and this is an experience that I'll never forget, and will always be one of the greatest things that's happened in my life. Nothing that I could do could ever begin to repay what you've all done for me, so I think the best thing that I can do is to assure you that you've "made a true believer" of me, and let you know that whenever I can, I will always do my very best to pass-on what you've shown me, which is unconditional, selfless kindness, regardless of the past or future.
When everyone's help started pouring-in, the number of people involved was phenomenal, so I figured I'd wait a little and say a big THANK YOU at "the end", but this "snowball" is still rolling, and I just CAN'T contain myself any longer. I'd like to thank the following people, from the bottom of my heart ...
northshorerocks
RockHobbit
catmandewe
mynewhobby
naturenut
sitnwrap
Lady B
Bikerrandy
Titania
woodyrock
tonyturner
bejewelme
kap
llana2go
steveholmes
misguidedone
UtahRockHound
bushmanbilly
frane
weeshan
bouldergal
MrP
ejs
ASI Industries
renterdan
free2rockhound
akansan
Larry
rockieroad
Blarneystone
nancyid
James King
adrian65
stonesthatrock
beef
rockrookie
Jurrasic Jonje
firstrune
If I missed anyone in the list, please accept my apology. I spent a lot of time and effort trying to make sure that I didn't forget anyone, but I'm far from perfect. Thank You!
There were also people who contributed who, for whatever reasons, did not wish to be known or recognized. Thank you!
And I'd like to thank EVERYONE on this forum, as I understand that although you didn't monetarily participate in this phenomenon, your heart was certainly there. If you wanted to help, but you're in a bad situation yourself, remember what's happened here, and when your situation gets better, reach-out to help those who are less fortunate.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU
(((GROUP HUG)))