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Love

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 1:53 am
by Elizabeth
I am not certain if there is another thread about this, but I could not help but notice that this is the only place I have ever been in my life where men openly tell each other they love them.

As a man, I have been forced to repress my feelings of love for other men. Because I might be labled gay, and shunned. However, just like any other repression, it feels absolutely great to be able to tell other men when I love them. Just as I would any close female friend, and as females continually say to each other. Particularly here, I have felt tremendous feelings of love, not only from others, but to others.

I want to thank all of you for this. It was your kindness, and willingness to express your love to me, that finally made me feel I could express my feeling of love also. It has been extremely liberating, and fulfilling.

Love to all,
Elizabeth

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 3:26 am
by Marda
sys$error

Re: Love

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 4:14 am
by SophieLawson
Elizabeth wrote:It has been extremely liberating, and fulfilling.
I think that sums up how I view this forum too, I've been feeling like I've been set free this last week and it has to be this forum :)

Sophie xx

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:22 am
by Beauty
@@9@@ ((G)) @@9@@

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 9:25 am
by SophieLawson
Woww... sexy new av Beauty! :)

Sophie xx

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 2:59 pm
by Elizabeth
Marda,

Absolutely beautiful words, I had to copy them and save them.


Beauty,

I don't know how you keep getting better and better pictures, but you look simply "Beautiful". I am so happy for you.

Love always,
Elizabeth

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:31 pm
by Lorna
Hi Elizabeth,

It's a wonderful feeling isn't it? Being able to openly discuss and express feelings - something that genetic males have been denied for far too long!! And something that all of us gals are proud to cherish. (--) ((G))

*hugs*

~ Lorna

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 7:21 pm
by Elizabeth
Lorna,

Yes it is!!!! It is an absolute wonderful feeling to be able to say "I love you" to you, and to all the others who have so warmly supported me and loved me when I could not love myself.

Love always,
elizabeth

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 7:34 pm
by Gelinda
But is it truly LOVE or is it true and deep friendship or maybe even kinship. Only the Shadow knows say=eth the one and only Gee.

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:59 am
by Rebecca
Hi girls,

Elizabeth
Excellent introduction to this topic, you hit it straight on the head.

I completely agree, it is a wonderfull feeling, I feel I have been denied this openness of feeling far too long. And as I only intend the best for all, it's all the more richer.

When I speak of love to this most worthy of communities, it's a very warm feeling, I was raised to believe in love and piece in a hippy sort of way and when I fall short of that, I feel I let myself down.

It's because of the folks on this forum that I am becoming more well balanced, and finding the means to express myself better.

Also, over the last month there are two times I have been out on a saturday night with a group of lads I know. This is a very blokey type of atmosphere, with plenty of beer. Over this period, on two seperate occasions, I was told by different lads in the group that they loved me, I was as good as reduced to tears. Both of these lads said it without any ulterior motive, they described what they thought of me and told me they loved me. They both hinted that it was because of who I am, how I am that they were moved to say this, and these aren't the sort of guys to say something like this easily

Thankyou everyone

Love to you all
Rebecca xxx @->->-

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 2:40 am
by Marda
sys$error

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 8:10 am
by Kersten Lee
Marda,
I'm with you on this one.

I e-mailed my woman friend, that had convinced me I had worth and got me to try therapy. I told her no matter what she ever might do I would always love her for what she had givin me. She gave me a thought that I have value in this world. She shared her story, which made me believe there might be hope for me yet, at 49 years old. No one in my life, up to then, ever validated who I was. I am now 51.

My wife happened to see the e-mail. I haven't ever hid any from her. It took Feb., March and April for me to convince her what I meant and that it didn't detract from the love I had for her as my wife. I have never recollected that my parents ever told me that they cared for and loved me. I use the word love here when I am moved and do have those feelings toward people here. But I am human and will probably never be Mother Teresa, loving all equally and committing my life to that goal.

Marda's definition of love is Biblical and spiritual. That is love in all it's forms. I don't think it will be achieved by all in my life time. Look at the politicians and many on the pulpits these days. It seems to me that a biblical witch hunt is going on to find those who are causing all the short comings and troubles in my community and the country. We are being brought together to hate particular groups because these people will ruin and destroy the country these people want. I don't even know what it would be like if we were called to love. It has been so absent recently.

Sorry for the downer on such an up thread. I do appologize again to all of you wonderful friends.

kersten

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 2:49 pm
by Elizabeth
Rebecca,

I had a similar experience. Before my trip to Wyoming when I was very depressed. My best friend just blurted it out, and even though I could tell it embarrassed him, it meant everything to me. I was suicidal at the time, and he said "Hey, I love you, and don't want anything to happen to you". It was so honest, and caring, it really changed me, at that moment. Knowing how hard it was for him to say that. I just immediately validated him by telling him that I loved him too, which is true. We were just never able to say it. He showed me the way. And it was a relief for both of us to be able to acknowledge that our friendship was greater than just being friends. We have this special fiendship. We care about what happens to each other. We care if the other person is sad. We share each others victories as if they were our own. It's about not having to go through life alone.

Love always,
Elizabeth

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 5:33 pm
by Kersten Lee
Elizabeth and Rebecca,
You are so blessed to have people like that in your lives. I still don't know what it would be like. The girls here are my support. The problem still is none of you really know me. I try to be honest but I still normally try to show my best side.

Monday at therapy a cavern opened in me about unresolved feelings about my father's treatment of me. I have pretty well resolved issues concerning my mother and have forgiven her in my mind. I have given up the hate I had for her, for not fulfilling basic needs I and every child has. My therapist said I had to become confident to this point to be able to open up again. That I did, and it rocked me to my core. I am questioning my very existence again. I do believe I will find peace in me again, but I will have to face my feelings from way back.

I have found going through the pain and remembering and facing these feelings in new adult ways, free me from the power they have held over me.

Please don't abandon me while I am going through this.

Kersten

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 11:24 pm
by Loretta Ann
Kersten,

Unfortunately these kinds of things are things one needs to go through alone, those who have never gone through these kinds of things have not got the slightest clue of the intensity of the internal pain one goes through in order to resolve these kind of issues,

It is not something you can put a bandage on and feel better, so please just feel free to take as long as you need to get through this, and we will be here for you when you need us.

Love Darlene.