Monday, April 25, 2016

Community

By Glenn Walker

This is both a personal message, and a revelation about the South Jersey Writers' Group as a whole, so I couldn't think of a better place to post these thoughts.

For those of you who don't know, I had been having some health issues, and a serious bout of illness landed me in the hospital for several weeks. No exaggeration here, folks, I nearly bought the farm, and I'm not talking about real estate. I don't think I would have made it if not for family and friends, and the South Jersey Writers' Group.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone - thank you for all the cards, the gifts, the gift basket, the gift card, books, phone calls, and visits.

Thank you to everyone who reached out basically, sent thoughts and prayers, either in person or digitally - especially Marie, Dawn, Robin, Jim, Amy, Loretta, Michael, Jennifer, Doot, Gail, Patti, Kahlil, Mark, Jord, Krista, Rich, Victoria, and Jessica, among others - everyone, in other words.

Apologies if I haven't gotten back to you. My vision was very bad for quite some time, making use of the laptop and phone very difficult. It took a while but my vision adjusted somewhat finally. I also suffered some memory loss during my time in the hospital. I am still discovering texts and Facebook messages I don't remember.

I got home the day before Christmas Eve, and the recovery was, and remains, slow and difficult, but I'll make it, I'm still pretty much invincible, but nowhere near as cocky as I once was.

When I returned to the group and its functions slowly, everyone greeted me with smiles, hugs, and kisses. I had no idea so many folks cared, but you did. I don't know how I survived so many hugs. Seriously, and this is the part where I tear up, this group is so important to me, and I was struck by how everyone pulled together as a community to help me, care for me, and just wish me well.

The South Jersey Writers' Group is not just writers trying to help each other with writing goals, and learning from each other, it's a support group, a circle of friends, friends who may very well have saved my life. Sure, maybe it started as people putting words to paper, but now it is a strong loyal community… my friends. I love you folks.

Thank you so much again. I am so blessed with wonderful friends, especially in the South Jersey Writers' Group.

9 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post! I keep telling you how important you are to people. You are loved, my friend

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  2. You are definitely loved, Glenn. You make a positive difference in the world!

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  3. it's the positive side of the internet. it allows people to reach out and connect when distance and other obstacles arise. glad you're feeling better mentally, physically, emotionally, and geometrically.

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  4. This is a royal group, Sir Glenn.

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  5. I am just glad you are doing better, Glenn.

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  6. Oh Glenn, we're just so grateful you're on the mend! Your a great guy and a great friend. xoxo

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  7. you people need to stop making me cry...first the open house, now this.

    Seriously, thanks for all you do and for being a friend. Take it easy and get better!

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  8. Beautiful post...here's hoping that you continue to feel stronger, take the time you need to recover, rest, relax, WRITE, and be the YOU we've come to love xx

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  9. Your presence was definitely missed. So glad to have you back.

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