[When is your preferred time to visit Porto?]

When is your preferred time to visit Porto?

1st week of September

2nd week of September

3rd week of September

Mid October

[CrazyStuff]

I am glad to hear that everyone had a great time in Porto and that it provided a place where, as expressed by XYZ.

Being with the others gives me hope.....hope for myself...hope that my life can be wonderful...my choice

I was not able to join you this time; however, I recently had a private get together with some of the people I met on this forum.    It was very self indulgent of me as I wanted to gather myself in advance of a number of milestone birthdays and other family occasions in the next few months.      I specifically did not want it to be about MLC or being an LBS.  I wanted the focus to be on the good things ahead, especially my own 50th birthday.    In fact I look back and apart from one late night conversation I did not talk about my own situation nor my husband.       I had a wonderful weekend amongst people that kindly give their time & support to me, and who respected my wishes that we forget the world of MLC for a few days.    In a very selfish way I got what I wanted and what I needed.     The next few months are going to be very tough for me and I hope you can all forgive me my self indulgence here.   

As is normal at milestones in our life I have been reflecting a lot recently and I have no doubt that meeting people from this forum back in January was important to my own recovery from the trauma after BD.  It was good to be surrounded by people who just understood what was happening and allowed me to grieve openly.    I jumped at the chance to catch up with some old friends and meet new people in Luxembourg in April.   That trip reinforced that someone else's crisis is not about me and that there is nothing I can or should do except make the most of my life as it is now.    Oh, and no-one seemed to bat an eyelid when a bit of crying was called for.

I am conscious of the power and value of of these open occasions so I would like to volunteer to  help organise the next one here in Europe in the Spring.    It isn't something I want to do on my own - I am not that organised plus I like working with people - so if there are a few people out there willing to help please let me know.    Actually I hope a few people do volunteer to help as this should make it a lot of fun.     

As for other private occasions I hope these continue to flourish as well as another thing I have learnt is that once we get out from under the cloud of MLC we really are a fun loving and kind group of people who have a lot to give and learn from each other.

So if anyone is interested in helping please let me know through this thread or by PM.

And Mermaid, I am sorry I did not get to Porto as it sounds like you made it very special for everyone.     I am not sure if I ever mentioned to you that I love white port.

CrazyStuff

[Mermaid]

First of all, thank you to voyager, xyzcf, stayed, stayed's H, hyperglad and dragonfly for coming. You made it very special. Thank you for your kind comments here and in person, and for tolerating being bumped around in the jeep safari tour with such good grace.

Thank you to everyone who has commented here, and those who wanted to come and couldn't. You were in our hearts and minds.

It was truly cathartic, in a positive karma way. I hope you all benefitted as much as I did.

Crazystuff... yes, please! A UK meet up!

BTW, if you like white Port, just hop on a plane and come over!!! I perhaps shouldn't tell you that our (free) guided tour of Taylor's Port cellars included a free sample of white Port (and a Ruby port to follow).

[stayed]

lol a little visit each day, eh Mermaid... hehehe... hugs Stayed

[Foxberry]

Mermaid,

It sounds like you all had a great time     Wish I could have come and most definitely want to be at the next one...  White Port sounds lovely and very unusual..I hope you all came away strengthed by the confidence of each other's stories and what wonderful friends we have in each other..

Love and hugs
Foxy xxx

[Voyager]

Mermaid thank you for a wonderful time

It was inspiring, funny, happy and thought provoking in equal measures. The mix of people meant that everything just seemed to flow, from one drink to another, from one story to another and we each listened to each other, a rare thing to find in a group of people who hadn't all met each other before.
It has made me think and reflect more on a lot of things, lots to process and lots to ponder on.

I wonder if the next time we meet I will be showing you my new house in Skipton 

Much love to you. xxxxxxxxxxx

[Mermaid]

New house in Skipton??? Sounds good, V!

[stayed]

 

[Foxberry]

Sounds lovely V xxx