A New Year's wish

[Boston Guy]

2001 has been a very busy year for me as well as, I'm sure, for most of you. At times during the year, I've been away from M4M for extended periods.

 

But each time I come back, I am struck by the continuity and the sense of community here. And I feel like there is a much larger collective of people who are participating by reading only but who have not yet decided to post.

 

There are many diverse personalities here. Some of us are older, some younger. Some are clients, some escorts. Some are beautiful, some perhaps not so, at least in a commonly-accepted physical sense. Some are generous and giving, some less so. Some post for amusement -- nothing wrong with that -- some post to exchange ideas and some are seeking information. Many seem to value the kinds of discussion they can have here but may not be able to have elsewhere in their lives. And, for some, this seems to be a kind of lifeline to the gay community.

 

We are not an American community, for we have many members from Canada, Europe, Australia and elsewhere in the world. And it seems that our members cross all economic strata, as well professional and educational ones.

 

So we are all very different yet we come here to speak with each other, to exchange information, to find consensus, to make each other laugh and sometimes cry.

 

I have benefited from the wisdom I have found here. I have laughed on days when I needed a good laugh. I have been saddened, especially by posters who have left us, and most especially by the death of Andy and the very sad note his boyfriend left for us in the hours immediately after Andy's death. I've been forced to confront issues I thought I had resolved years ago and, at times, I've found I needed to take a good look in the mirror.

 

So, thank you, all of you. I wish you all much happiness in 2002 and I hope that you are able to pursue your dreams, wherever those dreams may lead you.

 

BG

[OneFinger]

BG,

 

What a well-written post! It reflects my thoughts much better than I could express.

 

Wishing everyone here a safe, sober, and happy New Year. Play hard but play safe. ;-)

[+ Charlie]

Great post, BG; You have expressed my sentiments precisely.