Tandoori_Girl, not sure if you were talking about my facts but just in case, here are the facts. Scott Mclellan, President George Bush's Press Secretary announced this week that there were indeed no Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in Iraq. This is in direct contrast to George Bush's statement on Jan 11, 2003. "We are sending out troops to Iraq to rid the world of Weapons of Mass Destruction".

We need to support our troops and get them out of Iraq now and let the Iraqis fight their own cultural/religious civil wars.

Patrick, I wish you and your partner and your mother the very best. So sad that everything seems to happen at once. Your post brought tears to my eyes, but at the same time you made me realize how fortunate I truly am. You have given me very helpful advice here in the past, so thank you for that.
You will be in my thoughts.

Happy belated birthday, Buckeyemom!

BuffaloGirl, I know what you are going thru. I had to go to the US for a couple of months last year when my mom suddenly became chronically ill. It was very difficult looking after her in the hospital, her businesses, her house, and her older SO. Be sure to take care of yourself so that you can take care of everyone else.

TandooriGirl, congrats to your son!

Patrick, so sorry to hear about your partner and your mom. Sending good vibes your way for everyone's health.

Rant: Those who milk the system. :(

Patrick
You are having a rough time with your loved ones and I am so very sorry. I wish there was someway I could help...

Buckeyemom
A Happy Belated Birthday!

Patrick, may I ask the age of your partner? I certainly wish him well. So sorry to hear about your Mom.... she certainly is enduring much more than her share. She is lucky in one respect.... she has such a loving son in you!

To those of you who are supporting me in my attempt to change to a healthier weight and lifestyle, thank you from the bottom of my heart! @};- to you all! Your kind encouragement is so appreciated! :-) To all of you determined to get healthier this year, I wish you great patience and perserverance! It is very worth it when the results start to show! :-)

Cigalechante, I hope you will feel much more chipper very soon!

Buckeyemom, belated happy birthday, and many more happy and healthy!!

Swalter58, it really is the year of the Tar Heels.......... It's gonna be ALL TAR HEEL BLUE!!! :p

Rant: Fodorites and their loved ones who aren't healthy. Patrick, cigale, bennnie my thoughts are with all of you.

Rant: Me. I've been whiny about a sinus infection for 4 weeks and two rounds of antibiotics. I'm really the lucky one. Simple antibiotics are taking care of me.

Rave: 3 days in Chicago with family starting tomorrow: Dad, brother, his wife & their 3 kids.

Rave: Boston GTG in 2 weeks!

Patrick...you are having a difficult week. My support for you and your loved ones, while electronic, is heartfelt. I wish you peace and calm in the face of lifes difficult times. This Sunday is the year anniversary of my Mothers passing, so you do have my sympathy. You can do this, and use your friends to help you.

My rants seem silly in the face of what some of my Fodors friends are facing, so I'll just say raves this week.

Rave- DD's college applications are all in. Her first choice of college is a D1 soccer school and wants her to come play for them. (We're keeping our fingers crossed that all will work out for her)

Rave- The family will all be together this sunday as we celebrate my Mom's life on the 1 year anniversary of her passing.

Finally... Trish, Scarlet and whoever else has been treated rudely here, Please don't go away. That would be giving the losers who troll here your power. Take the high road and know there are people here who value what you have to say. You guys mean alot to me and I don't want you to leave.

Have a good weekend and stay warm.

Hi Patrick =; Sorry if I've been any of your problem -- guess I haven't been a help anyway. Life is a roller-coaster, and I think you're in the iffy spot right now. I hope you know there's lots of Patrick fans out there who wish the best for you. Be sure you take some time to be good to you! to love you. Lots of *vibe* to you from Tampa town.

Patrick, ((L)) to you and your dear ones.
Scarlett

Patrick, am wishing the best for you, your partner, and your mother.

Rave: I am in Japan and loving it.
Rant: Am at Narita airport and heading home.
Rave: Have a home to head to.

BuckeyeMom--Happy Bday!

To Patrick--I'm so very sorry that you your important loved ones are suffering. I know when there are hard times,it make not fix the problem but it sure is nice to know others care.

Cigalechanta, bennie--wishing you both better times!

May next Friday and the ones after that be happy ones!

WOW, Patrick...when it rains, it pours :( Sending good thoughts to you and your loved ones. It seems clear to me that you are such a loving son ((l))

Patrick, again I just want to say my heart breaks for all the situations you are dealing with right now. Too many.

You are a beautiful person and so full of joy along with good travel information.

Patrick, please, while you go through this most difficult time, do take care of yourself also. I am sure you know the old saying from airline attendants about if the oxygen masks come down put one on yourself first so that you can put one on your child or whoever. If you don't take care of yourself you will not be able to help all your loved ones.

And I sure send you a big cyber hug and prayers for not only you but your loved ones. ((*))

Wow. You all make me feel guilty. It wasn't my intention to ask for so much support, but I welcome it anyway.

Tandoori Girl, don't be silly. We all disagree from time to time. What would a forum be without that?

Buffalo Girl, I missed your post the first, time. My very best wishes for you as well.

Bonniebroad, he's 74, yes 16 years older than I. We've been together for 37 years. I've been in denial about his increasing problems for about a year. It took close friends to finally sit me down and say, "look what are WE going to do about Lee."

Rants: Patrick's pain. Best wishes to your partner, your mother, and you. Ditto to all going through difficult times.

DS fractured a bone in his foot and must wear a cast shoe for 3-4 weeks.

Raves: those who volunteer their time for various organizations, events, and fundraising.

Patrick--Let's try this one more time...I meant to say I'm sorry that your loved ones are suffering. It may not fix the problems, but it sure is nice to know that other's care. (At least this is how I felt not too long ago...)

Patrick: Spending 37 years with someone you love - what a blessing. Keeping good thoughts...

Dear Patrick, we posted at the same time.

Good heavens, do not feel guilty. All of us need support and good thoughts from those in our lives. It would be a sad sad world without it.

When I look back at difficult times in my life I never would have made it without loving people who cared. And am sure you have been there for many throughout your life. And obviously you are for your loved ones now.

Just take care of yourself too. ((*))

Amen to that Jor.