Damia, Guardian Angel of Survivors

Well, here I was, divorced...having my home up for sale and not earning enough money to make it on my own. I decided it was time to get my life together.

I went home to live with my parents for a little while, so that I could work out what I was going to do with the rest of my life. By that January, I had quit my full-time job on campus, found a part-time one there and got myself into school full-time. It was to prove to be the wisest decision I have ever made. And before I knew it, I had a great little house of my own!

There's been many ups and downs in my life since then. I took my ex-husband back for awhile, but it didn't work out again...for many reasons, and I am grateful now that it is finally over and done with. I didn't date for a very long time. I was busy working and going to school. And spending time re-discovering myself as a human being.

In 1994, I discovered the Net. And I have been traveling the world ever since in cyberspace! Meeting new friends from all over the world. Finally, I have only one year of college left and can't wait to graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems. I took a year off from my studies to sort of re-group and hope to be back soon and finish that last year. Wish me luck! *grin*

I've met some really wonderful people on the computer and I have been fortunate enough to meet some of them in real time, too! I have made some friends that I know will be friends for the rest of my life. And I've done a bit of traveling that I would not have done if I had not met those nice folks! A good friend from England (Scaramouche) came to visit in September of 1997, (he charmed my mother to pieces) and in October, 1997, I went to New York City for the first time and met some other cyber friends. I had a really great time and will never forget the kindness of Sam's Uncle and his lovely lady or all the absolutely WONDERFUL food they fed me! *big grin*.

Early in the fall of 1997, I met someone very special in The Park (my favorite chat room). When I first began going into chat rooms it was just for fun and to make some new friends. I never expected to find someone special...someone who would touch my heart in the most wonderful way. But I did...*soft remembering smile*

I met a man from Jersey, in the Channel Islands, Essex Man. He had the most incredible English accent that just drove me wild! I fell in love... And I think that maybe in some small way, he did, too. I do know, that at that time, we needed each other...and I guess you really can't ask for more than that. We would speak for hours every day over ICQ and over the microphone on Powwow. And our phone bills were starting to look pretty bad. We finally decided to meet in real time.

Plans were made for me to visit there at Christmas time for 2 1/2 weeks. I arrived in England on Boxing Day (December 26th, 1997) where my friend Scaramouche met me at the airport and whisked me into London for a very quick tour. He fed me a "traditional English breakfast" and showed me my first ever Englishman's Yachting Club! I only had 6 hours in England between flights so we had to really rush. But I got to actually stand on Tower Bridge, which had always been a dream of mine! One of these days I might even post some pictures!!

Then it was time to get back to the airport and continue on to Jersey. When I arrived, my sweet friend was all that I could have hoped for and we spent the most wonderful time together. I will always remember those weeks as some of the happiest of my life. Sometimes if I close my eyes, I can still smell the sea air...hear the waves crashing against the rocks....see the sun setting behind the lighthouse...and feel my sweetheart holding me tight in his arms.

I came home and the time and the distance sort of helped things to fall apart. It hurt so very much at the time...long distance relationships are never easy and when they end it can be devastating for awhile. And so he moved on to other things. I guess I am beginning to do the same. *soft smile* But I will never forget that special someone and the happiness he gave me for so many months.

Since that time, I have traveled to Nashville, Texas, Montreal and Northern California and met many other special friends from The Park. And some of them have to come to visit me, too! I have some of their pictures on my Park Friends Photo Album pages, so why not go take a peek?

When I went to Nashville, I stayed with my sister's family. While there, I met Waterfalls, Ms. Ruby Slippers and VWKid. We had a lovely lunch together and really enjoyed ourselves. Waterfalls then spent some time with me and my sister's family. We went sight seeing and even sat through a tornado together! *laughing* What an adventure!! Waterfalls is a very charming southern gentleman. He then came to visit me in the summer of 1998 and we spent a week traveling all over and seeing the sites! We spent some days in Yellowstone Park and had the most wonderful time! Well, except when I almost killed him in the car! *laughing* But it was ONLY once! *wink* I truly believe that he will be my dear friend forever!

In Texas, I met Easy Lover, Rick, Wrangler Woman (my lovely cyber sister)...and last but certainly not least...the fabulous Tex! (I won't show that picture, Tex, honest! *LOL*) We all met where Rick works and then went off for a great dinner (and later on for a bunch of beers! *grinning*) Rick generously gave us a place to sleep! Thanks sweetie for the hospitality! Easy Lover also showed me around Houston while I was there and spoiled me quite a bit. Thanks for the fancy air conditioned car hon! Much appreciated! *twinkling eyes* And watching you play pool, is like watching a master at work!!

A very wonderful friend, Ms. Peek-A-Boo, was traveling through here on her way further west to visit family. She stopped to visit and we went out for a dinner and then drinks! I don't know when I have laughed that much! She's one of the sweetest people I have met in this life time and has become a dear friend!

In September of 1998, I finally got to meet another cyber family member in person. It was more wonderful than I could have imagined. *soft smile* My cyber brother Beckett and his sweet lady, Melody, (who he met through the Park) came out from Minnesota and paid me a surprise visit. I was sitting quietly at home when the phone rings and a voice says, "Guess where I am?" I almost swallowed my teeth! For those of you who know Beckett...*laffin* isn't that JUST like him?!?! I hurried and changed and rushed off to meet them...they stayed the night and we had a lovely evening at one of my favorite restaurants in town. They took off the next day for more camping and fishing on their way to the Grand Canyon. Beckett was showing Melody (who is from Canada) the sites and wonders of the U.S. I hope some day they find their way back here!

I flew to Montreal in November of 1998, right before Thanksgiving and met some other friends from the Park. I met BOID and his three very precious children. (Guess I might talk more about this some day....when I am ready.) Also met Fragrance, a woman who is truly beautiful, both inside and out. She has a heart that encompasses the whole world....and the most charming French Canadian accent! *warm smile* And I had the great privilege to also meet the lovely Sugar Bare and her sweet spouse, UPS Guy and their two adorable boys. I enjoyed my visit with them so very much, not sure when I laughed so much. And now they are keeping me supplied with WunderBars!!!! (I developed this terrible craving for them while in Montreal!! *grin*)

My father died in 1996, and things became difficult for my mother. So in the summer of 1997, I moved in with her to help her with things around the house. And to drive her where she needs to go....it's turned out to be very good for both of us. I guess I will be here until I graduate and head off to who knows where for a job. I would love to stay in the pacific Northwest, but who can tell for sure where I might end up!

In the summer of 1998, I was diagnosed as having Osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. I guess my age is finally starting to creep up on me, although there are days when I feel almost like a teenager again. I have been trying to learn everything I can about this disease that affects so many women as they get a bit older. And I would like to share some of that information with you. So one of my pages is about Osteoporosis, about my treatment and some links for information.

In June of 1999, I went to visit a very special friend in Northern California.....I had a lovely time, seeing the beach and tasting all kinds of foods I had never tried before, like Sushi. (Actually, it wasn't bad...well except for the eel....*laffin* My friend lost it laughing, when I took a bite of that... because of the awful look on my face!) I will never forget laughing together to Monty Python movies...or the way he got me blasted on ale so that I would sing along with him while he played his guitar! (I can't believe the little stinker got me drunk so I would sing! ACK!!!) And I will never, ever forget him...my very special friend, who taught me again what love is...with all its joys and sorrows. I hope with all my heart that he finds the joy in love that he is seeking....and that he will never forget his friend who cares so much for his happiness, where ever it takes him. *soft smile*

In July of 1999, my very precious and loved cyber sister, She Who Dies, came to visit me! YES!!!!!!! *huge grin* She brought her daughter with her and it was a complete delight to have them here that week! Our crazy cyber brother, WAW, sent us a care package with her favorite Scotch and my favorite Jack Daniels...tons of bubbles and squirt guns and various and sundry other "fun" things....did I mention the Scotch and Jack? *laffin* We laughed a lot...and hugged and talked endlessly (without having to pay a phone bill, THANK GOD!) teased each other and made grand proclamations about life and love...settled the world's problems between us and had the most marvelous time!! I can't wait for the day that we get together again! She's the greatest!

These days, I am concentrating on getting back in school and work...and on just being happy. There are some very, very special friends in my life now (and you KNOW who you are, y'all! *soft sweet smile*) who help me get through the rough spots and share with me the good things that creep up every once in awhile. I've actually made a new friend online recently and am enjoying very much the time spent with him.

Things are not perfect, but I am learning to find peace within myself. There are good days and bad ones...some days I struggle to get up and others, well...I can't wait to start them! I saw the most glorious sunrise recently and it made me stop and think about all the beautiful things around me...and how I only have to look to find them.

I am not rushing to find someone special these days, I feel as if I have lots of time for that now....and as someone once said in a movie I liked..."There is always another bend in the road."