I am most certainly not put off by your nostalgia for an idyllic past. Indeed, I find that to be the most natural and human response one could have given the situation. Rather than be “turned off”, I think I feel rather sympathetic. I’m fortunate to have avoided the same unpleasantness in my own life, but I’ve seen my brother go through a similar situation some years back. He felt the same as you seem to from your blog. Of course, being my brother, I tried my best to help him out, but what could I do? I just tried to tell him to hang in there, and that he needn’t worry too much; many people cared about him; he did make a difference. And what could he do? Just let time run its course and see how things played out. Well, that was many years ago. This last fall, he just remarried, and seems quite happy.

So, what’s the point of all this? Just to let you know that things improve if let them, and to tell you that through your work you have made a difference in people’s lives. I mean, naturally, Exalted hasn’t made my life complete or anything. But it has brought me a great deal of enjoyment and fueled my imagination. Those types of positive emotions have led into other positive things in my life. So I’d like to say thank you to you.

Have a happy holiday season.

I’m thankful that you’re here.

JKB