[Merika]

Duke has a vision here. It's called 'HELPING OUR KIDS and MENDING FAMILIES'. I've stated this in several emails....but want to reiterate it. It's NOT just important....it's VITAL!

There are kids and parents on the net every night with tears and wondering if anyone gives a damn. They may share a love, even a relationship....but sometimes the CONNECTION becomes lose and strained. Sometimes the VERY person we want to connect with seems a million miles away.

It tough when it's due to a love gone bad. But FOLKS....I tell you what..there is no deeper pain than when you've lost a connection with your child. It may be due to stress, time lost or any other conglomerate of circumstances. It may not show up when your child is young....but when they are preteen and teen......crap happpens!

As for myself...it's HARD rasising a 15 year old daughter. Between the PMS and other attitudes......GAWD! Yesterday, she announced to me that we were no longer on speaking terms. Her Dad is in jail (not from me but from the state for the $52,000 he owes for 8 years of back child support). Then, she decided to post on here as Isis....and some post I made made her laugh....and she came to me in the kitchen. We talked. It was good. I love her with all my heart.....but this love gets lost in the days of our lives....so to speak.

So....this forum is not a small deal to me. I've been around long enough to know you can plunk something out on your puter that you just can't say in real time. It's a way to connect. It's a way of finding your inner self. It's a way of connecting in a way that real life sometimes leaves you feeling AKWARD!

My personal problems may be far less than someone else's in raising kids. But in making a connection.....what if we could keep just one young girl from getting pregnant or some gifted young male teen from diving into drugs .....or some child from neglecting their capacity as an adult because teen-hood was too long and hard? I think anyone on here would agree even ONE KID was worth it.

And WHAT...JUST WHAT...if we could meet Duke's vision and help hundreds? HUNDREDS.....that's just AWESOME! Know what? On the internet....WE CAN DO THAT!!!

It's all worth it to me. I'll post till I have calloused fingers. If those of us who care don't make a difference....then WHO WILL????? A young child is still there for molding and comforting....we can give ideas for that teen who is still open for dialogue....we can be there too! A young adult may not realize how much his kids need him.....we can show him the difference by him reading what kids with dead beat Dads have to say. A young Mom may feel overwhelmed....we can support her. She doesn't have to feel all alone.

I'm honored to be here. I hope everyone else feels the same way. It doesn't have to always be a serious dialogue or even some philisophical thought. It 's sharing YOURSELF with someone else..which can change the direction of their life.

I ask each member to take that challenge. I care and I know you care! PLEASE lets make our cyber time COUNT! Right here.....we can change lives! Your kids....my kids.....and kids everywhere!!!!

Thank you Duke for following the vision you had....with your time, your finances and your heart!

Merika/ Barbie