before the stroke, i was very communicative and would write ALL of the time. i was working on several books simoultaneously. i even had a few small things published. no big deal, no hurry, i have PLENTY of time!!!!!

NOT!!!!!

anyway, it took this site to pull me out of my shell. i was so humiliated that i couldn't communicate in the same way, verbally or written, that i only spoke enough to "get by" and did not read a book or write a word for nearly a YEAR!!!!!

i was too scared.

it took me over an hour to string together the couple of paragraphs i put in my first post. when i look at it i KNOW it's written by me because no one ELSE could have written it, but i don't remember actually putting the words together. it's surreal.

it was jean riva who pointed out to me that i should blog because it would be therapeutic, or something like that. how RIGHT she was!!! once i started putting words together on this site wether comments, or a new topic, or blogging, my verbal skills improved as did my writing at home again on the old paper diary!!! my mood has lifted in the past few months and it has GOT to be this support system i have found here along with the self expression.

god less you ALL who have encouraged me with your uplifting comments and pm's. i can only hope to give back a small percentage of what i have received but it will NEVER be enough!!!!!

kim