I have had the pleasure and honor of greeting several newcomers and welcoming them to fluther. I don’t mean a brief word or two within a thread, but a direct PM, to someone who got my attention due to some insight or wisdom or perhaps just the tone of their responses. Navigating about questions and learning protocol come easily at this site, but that first PM, a direct one-on-one communication, usually catches newcomers off guard, particularly when the words are complimentary.
It was on the receiving end of such a dialogue that I met Gail. I already knew of @gailcalled. She and @johnpowell had very high lurve totals and seemed to be everywhere posting answers to questions faster than they could be asked. And it quickly became apparent these were two interesting individuals that were more than worthy of one’s attention. There was jp: young, street smart and a bit loose but nonetheless, his responses were right on without baggage or bullshit. And then there was @gailcalled: older, well educated, and wordly, very insightful but just as direct, even going as as far as pointing out spelling and grammar errors and with a quick hand at dispelling nonsense and misconceptions. And, it was obvious she was the matriarch of this site, protective of its excellence and potential and righfully proud of her nephew and his good friend for creating the place we’ve all come to enjoy.
I was honored to receive that first PM. Gail was tiring of always correcting errors and I must have displayed some adeptness in proper spelling and usage because she actually tried to pass the baton to me. I politely turned down that gracious offer but was soon trading very open PMs with this marvelous lady, sharing details of my health and her sharing her first hand knowledge of my disease and both of us sharing information more personal than either of us chose to share on the site.
We share similarities in backround, a love of language, knowledge and life itself, as well as a later in life gained appreciation of cats. We have laughed together and we have cried together. She has been there when I needed her, without fail, kind and warm and wonderful. We have established a bond of friendship based on trust and respect that, for me, is unmatched with anyone else here on fluther, save my lovely wife Sherry (@sccrowell) and more recently @marina, who I know also shares a mutual admiration with Gail. Those are three very special women to me and I’m a very lucky guy to have them in my life.
To my dear friend Gail and her wonderful sidekick Milo, congratulations on your 20K lurve milestone and entry to the big mansion, a very richly deserved achievement. And Milo, marina advises you will find the mansion quite accommodating….seems that little brat AstroChuck let some pet mice loose and they are multiplying very quickly. Do make yourselves comfortable but be prepared for guests. Our friend @johnpowell will be along shortly and, is it just me, or does it appear @Augustlan and @daloon have ignited 20k lurve-seeking afterburners?
Sending lots of love and lurve…Gary aka @whatthefluther aka wtf Many apologies for the delay and any spelling/grammar errors
