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Our Whitby........

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Happy trails, Whitby. Not that it matters, but I think its very kind of you to explain the reasons behind your departure to those who followed your stories most intently. Its clear you have many close PS pals who would be very concerned about a sudden, unexplained departure - especially considering the medical details you''ve already shared. Its considerate NOT to spread the very types of stress you''re seeing to avoid yourself. Good luck with your endeavors and I wish you the best of health.
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My very best wishes to you, Whitby
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Date: 8/23/2009 1:03:08 PM
Author: ruff_hi
Hallo all – Whitby here. ☺

In Australia we have a saying – ‘more comebacks than Nellie Melba’, an opera singer from the turn of the 19th century known for her retirements… and returns. I’m starting to feel a tad like her but can assure you that this will be my final post under this, or any other id for the foreseeable future. It seems to me that there’s 2 schools of thought on PS about leaving; firstly – do it quickly and silently, or secondly, state you’re leaving and say goodbye. I’m more of the first camp. But it didn’t occur to me that my abrupt departure might be a cause of distress or irritation for some people, so this post is by way of cleaning up any misconceptions or offence. For those who would prefer a somewhat quicker departure – I apologize; I’m caught between a rock and a hard place here. Rest assured that this public farewell is not comfortable for me!

So – to ‘why?’

I’d have to say that it’s a finely balanced combination of me…and all of you! As you’ve probably noticed from my considerable post-load over the last 7-8 months, I don’t do things half heartedly! And I post like a writer/psychologist; wordy! But I’m also wordy because I truly cared.

If you lost your job and posted on PriceScope, I cared. When your SO went for a job interview, I prayed for you and them. If you were getting married – I hoped for fine weather, then looked at your photos over the coming months. If you received a new piece of jewelry and it made you happy – I smiled too. I watched as you looked for that perfect sapphire, searched for examples of the ideal ring setting, cried over the death of your dog, was proud of you when you rescued that cat, impressed when you intervened with those bullies, and most of all rooted for you through every doctor’s appointment, medical test, and blood work result you had. I have truly been your friend and have been proud to be a member of your community.

But I also worried. When your husband yelled at you, I was angry on your behalf. When he hit you, I wanted to do something. When you were hurt, I wished to hold your hand. And when the panic rose in your lives, I felt it in mine. Empathy is a two edged sword.

As you may have read in the ‘family, home and health’ forum, I have recently (within the last 12 months) been diagnosed with Crohn’s. I have a few complications from this also which have been popping up hard and fast over the last 6 months, and which have been difficult to juggle with the other responsibilities in my life. I also have a book, The Terror of Prism Fading, which has been doing increasingly and surprisingly well recently, and am half way through a second book which I hope will do even better and which is taking up more and more of my time. I am being asked/invited to do more and more promotional work for my book/s – not least of which is speaking in schools to children about dispute resolution, using my first book as an example of a group of children who are thrust into a situation where they must work together, but where they really don’t get along. As an ex developmental psychologist who specialized in dispute resolution, it’s been my great honor to use my book to teach kids alternatives to bullying, aggression, or using their fists when things don’t go their way. I feel that this is my life’s contribution to our world, and the book series I’m writing is written with the hope of educating children in this angry, war-hungry world on how to find peace with a fellow man who may not always be easy or similar to them in any way. But this is while caring for 3 large (gorgeous!) show dogs, writing book 2, doing all sorts of real life and on-line work for the series, chasing my husband round the country-side as he travels perpetually for business, being emotionally and physically torn between the wonderful USA and the country of my birth, beautiful Australia, and struggling somewhat with a new physical state of being which involves doctors, hospitals, and all sorts of pills and provisos.

To keep all my respective balls in the air, while living with Crohn’s, it’s essential that I live with as little stress as possible, and stay focused and relaxed. So it’s become necessary for me to streamline my life. For example, I’m writing this from Australia at 2.13am, which is the only free time I could find using a computer which is not my own! This is not the ideal way forward for a person with Crohn’s.

So in an effort to retain the energy and focus I have, I’ve decided to say farewell to a number of my pursuits and interests, of which PriceScope is one, and achieve the goals which I deem to be the calling on my life. I asked for my account to be completely closed so I wouldn’t be lured back by my own commitment to you all, and as a form of externally imposed self discipline! For security purposes, I also don’t like having open accounts sitting around, so asked for it to be closed. This will be my last post for at least the foreseeable future, and I can always re-open my ‘whitby_2773’ account should things settle down in the years ahead. I do, however, anticipate an absence of years rather than months, so felt at least a line from Tim in my WW thread was in order.

So – farewells…

To those who appreciated me – thank you! To those I annoyed – I apologize. To the PS Crohn’s sisterhood – God bless you all, you’ll be in my prayers. To Catmom, LostSapphire and Loriken – you are an inspiration and an example to me of what it means to ‘rise above’ when your body doesn’t necessarily do what you want it to! I intend to try to emulate you going forward. To Diamond_Dana – I came and left PriceScope loving your ring the best. To those who found me outside of PS and remain my friends – a significant and personal thank you. To Tuckins1 who led me to Angelo – well, you changed my life, and hopefully his too. Thank you. To atroop – yes. Definitely a NY get-together before Christmas– and I always keep my word. And to my friend Uppy – for the love of God, girl – PLEASE try to stay outta trouble!

And to all the wonderful women and men of PriceScope, mods included, and specifically to gemgirl who started this thread….

I thank you. God bless you all going forward.

I’ve now done everything I said to myself I wouldn’t do when I asked Tim to post my message on my WW thread, and have lingered, chatting! So in the words of the lovely Mrs Hudson_Hawk….

This is whitby. Over and out.
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Never a truer word said Whitby, and such a lovely and eloquent post. It is a true testament to you that so many people have worried about you and wondered why you were going. So thank you for taking the time to write to us all one last time

I wish you well in chasing your dreams and slaying your monster.

XX
 
We''ll miss you honey. ((HUG)). And please, take care of you.
 
Date: 8/23/2009 1:49:15 PM
Author: Gypsy
We''ll miss you honey. ((HUG)). And please, take care of you.
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Ditto. You were a great asset to this board and I thank you for your valuable contributions! And I will pray for your health, Whitby. God bless you, too!
 
Best Wishes to you Whitby!
 
Whitby~ Your final post was well-written and more than generous. I''m sorry you felt that you had to come back to defend yourself or to appease others. Your statement about empathy is spot on and a reason that I have to back off occasionally too. I pray that your life goes in the direction that you desire and that you have many more successes.
 
Oh Whitby, I''m going to miss you so much but I understand your need to leave. I wish I had the ability to express myself like you do. I am truly touched to be considered an inspiration for you, your words brought tears to my eyes. You are the true inspiration and I have no doubt you will rise above the Chrohns. Good luck with your writing and with Angelo. Please know that we will be thinking of you and your husband and should the time ever come, will welcome you back with open arms!
 
Date: 8/23/2009 1:03:08 PM
Author: ruff_hi
Hallo all – Whitby here. ☺

If you lost your job and posted on PriceScope, I cared. When your SO went for a job interview, I prayed for you and them. If you were getting married – I hoped for fine weather, then looked at your photos over the coming months. If you received a new piece of jewelry and it made you happy – I smiled too. I watched as you looked for that perfect sapphire, searched for examples of the ideal ring setting, cried over the death of your dog, was proud of you when you rescued that cat, impressed when you intervened with those bullies, and most of all rooted for you through every doctor’s appointment, medical test, and blood work result you had. I have truly been your friend and have been proud to be a member of your community.
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Whitby, thank you for this. You helped me more than you''ll ever know. You (and so many other PSers) were there for me when my heart had just been broken and I didn''t know which way was up. I will NEVER forget that.

I have only met a very small number of Great Ladies in my lifetime, and you are one of them. Truly, truly a classy person. I''m so sorry to see you go, but I do understand, and I wish you the best. Only good things for you, girl!

Kareyn, please know that you''ll be very greatly missed.
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Very sad to see you go, Whitby.

We may have not encountered one another very often, but I always looked forward to reading your posts. Your insight has helped so many people on PS, and it was a pleasure having you here.

I wish you the best of luck in achieving your goals and keeping yourself well. You will be missed.
 
Since whitby/Kareyn mentioned the name of her first book in her post, I thought that some of you might like to see what she''s accomplished. And now she''s hard at work on her second book. All I can think to say is ohmygosh! It''s such an incredible feat to do something like this. whitby is one extraordinary woman.

http://www.theterrorofprismfading.com/

Her book cover and her website have some of the most beautiful illustrations I''ve ever seen. I''m looking forward to receiving my copy and reading it.

 
Date: 8/23/2009 1:36:59 PM
Author: Gailey
Never a truer word said Whitby, and such a lovely and eloquent post. It is a true testament to you that so many people have worried about you and wondered why you were going. So thank you for taking the time to write to us all one last time

I wish you well in chasing your dreams and slaying your monster.

XX
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Monsters CAN be slain. You helped me with mine, and for that, I am forever grateful.

But it takes focus, and sometimes, that means being in the quiet. Peace and Quiet to you my friend. I am going to miss reading your posts...but, will wait for the book!

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LS
 
Whitby,
My dear you will be missed....Anytime you need a trip to von bargans, let me know. I''ll come up and we''ll have a Hanover GTG. Keep in touch!

(BTW, I''m totally getting your book for my nieces [and maybe a copy for me too ; )])
 
You will be missed...I wish you health, success and happiness! Take care of yourself! ((hugs))
 
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All the best!
 
Date: 8/23/2009 5:18:45 AM
Author: gwendolyn
Glad you checked in, Kareyn sweetheart. My heart sank when I read that you were going. Although I understand you have real-life goals to pursue and wish you nothing but the best, you have clearly misjudged how much of an impact you have made on us here. Your kind heart, experience and often unique perspective on the world has been treasured by more than just myself, and we will all miss you very much, but will be happy to know that you are chasing after what makes you happiest and most fulfilled.

Take care of yourself, my friend, and come back and let us know of your adventures if the time is ever right for that again.
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Yes, this was a very well written post on how we feel about Kareyn.
 
All the best, Whitby. Take care of yourself and best of success on your efforts to make the world a better place. There is no higher calling.
 
Thanks for your time and support Whitby!
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Whitby,

You have been a treasured and valuable member of our community. While we will miss you, I think we all respect your need to simplify and to focus on yourself and your health. Please be good to yourself and know that our warm wishes and prayers follow you.

(((HUGS)))
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Whitby!!.. We will miss you a lot. You are the person I care the most in pricescope. I wish you the best, and I hope you will be back some day. There is not post of you that I don''t respect and learn of it.

Wish the best, gaby.
 
Happy Trails Whitby!
 
Whitby,

I hope you come back to read all of the responses to this post because I want you to know that I wish you all of the best in your future endeavors. You certainly were an inspiration to everyone on PS, and I hope you know this! As someone on the periphery, I have enjoyed reading your words of wisdom, full of truth, caring, and thoughfulness. It was a pleasure to have you here.

Take care of yourself, OK?!
You will definitely be missed.
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Oh no, this news saddens me!
Whitby, you are truly one of my favorites on Pricescope! Your kind words and good thoughts have always been sincere and heartfelt. I will miss you! I wish you all the best in everything that you do...and I wish you health and happiness always!
 
... Goodbye Withby... Be well!
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Whitby, I think deco said it very well. Your last post was beatifully written (as always). I, too, appreciate your coming back to fill in the blanks so that there isn''t unneeded speculation--many of us would have worried if you had just faded into the sunset. I fully understand the reasons and your health does come first. I, for one, will never again see an Irish Red & White Setter at a show and not think of you and Dixon. Wishing you all the best and know that the prayers you sent out will all come back your way as you move on with life.
 
Bless your heart Whitby. All the best to you and your family and doggies. We''ll miss you very much xxx
 
Take care of yourself, Whitby. Thank you for all your kind and thoughtful posts.
 
Date: 8/23/2009 1:36:59 PM
Author: Gailey
Never a truer word said Whitby, and such a lovely and eloquent post. It is a true testament to you that so many people have worried about you and wondered why you were going. So thank you for taking the time to write to us all one last time

I wish you well in chasing your dreams and slaying your monster.

XX
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Whitby, you did say it best. Agreed. I wish you the best and hope that your life will be filled with happiness and not stress.
 
Whitby - I''ll miss you dearest.
 
I am just amazed at the wonderfully talented people on this website... Writers, musicians, devoted listeners and advice givers...
All of these gifts make this forum such a nice place to come to...

Whitby, you definately have left a positive and warm touch even in your brief presence on PS. Please know that while you'll be missed, I personally wish all of the success in the world. People like yourself are so very rare... I am lucky to have been able to read your caring posts even if it was only in the last 2 months.

Pour la derniere fois - Adieu et prends soin de toi!
 
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