Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group With my Heart in my Hand

Come on. Seriously? Did you really just post that?

I seriously just posted that! How many times have I quit ASKickers, gone off and had a good sulk, found my Vicodin, and come lurking back into good graces?

As for the mercy/grace thing? At one time some insane foolish people wanted me to go off and be a rabbi... some of it stuck. I stand on it. Anyone else is free to take it or leave it, as you wish. Torah is a chosen discipline.

When the sun sets here in a half hour I will have a brief and very informal Seder with my family because none of us is physically up for "fancy". But it obeys the mitzvot, and that is enough.

Pesach Shalom,

John

Huh. Somehow I missed the part where you mentioned you were referring to yourself in regards to the sulking quitters. Just went back and re-read. Still not seeing it. Glad to know you were speaking only of yourself with that one and not presuming to know what others are feeling or thinking (or medicating with).

As for your religious beliefs, kudos to you for holding strong. I feel quite opposed to the statement that none us deserve mercy or grace. But you are right. It is your belief and as long as you are not saying in all caps (or did you...hmmm) that I / we don't deserve mercy or grace, I'm cool with it.

I heard recently that Grace is getting what you don't deserve and Mercy is not getting what you do deserve.

It takes Grace to cope with a painful illness, especially an invisible one. And we all need to have Mercy for each other.

I hope science makes the future better for everyone.

Me too, Skywalker. Me too.

Michelle, I'm so sorry I did not know you were in the hospital. Oh, my dear I wish I could make this newest diagnosis disappear, my heart hurts for you. Please PM me anytime. I will keep you in my prayers sweetie.

Cindy

Holly, I wouldn't dream of forcing my beliefs on you. No need for anti-religious hostility... As a very conservative Jew I could let fly all kinds of hostility at some of the beliefs here, but to what end? It wouldn't convert anyone, and, sooner than most of us would like to admit, that part of us that is "I" will leave these broken bodies. Then we'll know who was wrong or right, so it's not worth arguing about.

It seems, for the most part, to be guys who left. I know a number of the guys here pretty well, so I feel safe saying they'll go have a good "mad" and come back. They're almost as close as battle buddies; we share bonds forged by the common crucible of pain. Believe it or not, it's different for guys. We're supposed to be the providers for and protectors of our families. We're our nation's warriors. Some of us were world class athletes, or in the same shape as world class athletes, before this disease stole our bodies from us.

We are known to be a little bitter about it at times. We're the ones inclined to tell people what we've heard most of our lives: "Suck it up! Drive on! Charlie Mike (Continue Mission)! Push through the pain!" Then we hit the point where we can't, and we hate it. That doesn't stop us from doing it to others, especially in the middle of a flare.

I feel competent to speak for the guys, at least generally. When one of us gets mad I get it. I've been a guy all my life.

Is it possible we can all get along?

Shalom Aleichem to you, whether you want it or or not--

John

thanks Kat and everyone posting...I just want to say that although I am not around as much recently, I was here for many debates over the past ten years...and most often, people were in pain when posting...I was...and that can color the debate for sure...

we are here to rant and rave and receive support and advice and tell our own stories and learn....many people have come and gone over various debates, or because they felt better or worse...I miss them.....but remember that just because someone isn't posting does not mean they are not reading...your debates matter!! I read posts even though I may not log on for a month....we have thousands of members now who are in the same place I was way back when...
Peace
Linc