Re: Helpful?

You just said exactly what I wanted to say but did not know how. I don't know how you did that.

LOL ... I suppose I should give credit where credit is due. Having a new thesaurus has helped a little. J/K

I had an immature response to someone here that doubted my motives in spite of a sincere appeal to (him). It hurt my feelings (poor baby) but I recovered and found that much of what he criticized me for was true. It took that encounter to see it.

Unfortunately life can be a cruel teacher and taskmaster. The tools of change (people) can also react harshly while they attempt to prove their position, and the lessons learned might be a bitter pill to swallow. However, even old dogs like me are capable of learning a new trick once in a while ... as long as the treat is delicious enough to alter a pre-existing Pavlovian condition.

What I learned is what you just said re: Support group vs. therapy group, just like Baldur was saying, "what one thinks a support group is and what a support group does". I was confused about what I thought a support group should be, too idealistic, unrealistic.

There's nothing wrong with setting a higher level of expectations when venturing onto a new playground.

However, everyone should be mindful of the playground bullies who feel their "territory" might be jeopardized by the new kid on the block. It threatens their sense of security when a newbie acquires acceptance too soon, so they'll typically do their best to demean or insult the newcomer to eliminate the potential threat. Sad, but true.

So, if that could happen to a war veteran like me, it could happen to a 17 year old. He might not recover as quickly. Thus my opinion that the age limit rule should be enforced as explained to KBA.

I've been reading everything about the age limit rule, and as yet haven't formed a solid position. I think I know what should be an accepted practice, but I must be certain of my data before I stick my foot under any rolling tires.

So what that means is, so far, I am getting everything I signed up for, and now a little bit more. I'm happy about being here.

I hope to be able to express similar sentiments in due time.