I can't believe the time it has been either. Fran I didn't know you had left NC either. Age has a way of taking it's toll on us all it seems in so many ways.
My updates have been on and off over time on the board. Much has changed and yet some has not still but I still have teens too. I shudder at the thought of what's still to come.
My adult easy child/difficult child was what brought me here all those years ago. I believe it was 1996. In that time we've gone through 5 owners of the board (Momma bear, Abbey, Fran, Nancy, and now Runnaway), I think I have that right. We've lost a few members to death (Pico, Kris, and I can't think of her name but yet it's on the tip of my tongue -she had diabetes and was in a wheel chair and her husband was on here too, I'm not sure if we lost him too?). We've had cyber baby showers (mine was the first with mr. busy), we started up the virtual party bus and Raoul (which eventually lead to this forum, the watercooler), we've lost a few members to the unknown as well, we've gain so many new members though since then (25 originally as oppossed to thousands now!).
I feel the same as most everyone does. Back then my oldest was suicidal and homicidal and was put inpatient for the 1st time at the tender age of 6 years old. One the hardest things I ever had to do in life (and for her and she resents me for it still). I had NO clue of what to do or where to turn. Over time, I learned with the help of others, slowly what I needed to do and how to do it not only to help myself but my child(ren). It was not always easy and like Suz mentioned, I too get PTSD from darker times from things that occurred in the past. I don't ever want to go back there and unfortunately it effects me to this day and shapes my here and now. If my difficult child's weren't still under 18 some of the things that trigger PTSD in me couldn't occur but sadly they are. I "only" have 5 more years for my youngest to reach that milestone and be free of that particular point.
I can only hope that this site lives on long into the future with each new passing member staying and contributing and coming back, as some of us "old hands" do as we can. It helps to keep it blossoming and keeping the continuity of it I think.
I'm not as vocal in my contributions as some others, I never really have been. I do input when and where I think I have something to contribute. If only something different from my perspective or to just offer a nod of support extra.