Reply #101 November 16, 2005 10:41 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

If we didn't have this site, we wouldn't even be talking to each other. I'm lucky enough to get to travel quite a bit, but I still would have never crossed paths with many of you. You make me smile whenever I have a chance to check this site, and for that--I am truly thankful.

Reply #102 November 17, 2005 5:22 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Persistence is the twin sister of excellence. One is a matter of quality; the other, a matter of time.

Marabel Morgan

Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken a word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and our thoughts, as well as our success.

George Matthew Adams

Reply #103 November 17, 2005 5:26 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'll just breathe the air.

Reply #104 November 17, 2005 6:13 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Something positive? Hmmm, let me think of it...............aha!









MERRY CHRISTMAS!

well, that is Advance Merry Christmas

Reply #105 November 17, 2005 1:24 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hi folks, I'm finding it rather difficult to say anything positive right now, but I believe in the power of positive thinking and hope you'd all lend me some of yours during a crisis my wife and I are currently facing.

My 15yo stepdaughter ran away 3 days ago and refuses to come home because we do not approve of a recent decision would not allow her to do as she saw fit. Without going into detail, the authorities are not prepared to lift a finger to help us bring her home, despite proven concerns of inappropriate acquaintances and behaviour.

We have been been told there's nothing they can do and we'll just have to wait it out. We feel totally helpless because the law has wrongfully assigned the child responsibilities.....the right to make her own decisions, essentially stripping us of parental controls and our ability to protect her.

We're trying to remain positive, but it's not easy under the circumstances, so a bit more power from a bit of 'collective' positive thinking would be greatly appreciated.

Reply #106 November 17, 2005 1:39 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

ummm....Sure Happy It's Thursday...?

Reply #107 November 17, 2005 1:54 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

I feel for you, Starkers. I hope she will learn a lesson and come home quickly by her own decision. Keep us posted.

Reply #108 November 17, 2005 2:02 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Starkers, I am praying for you, your wife and your daughter.

Reply #109 November 17, 2005 4:10 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

I hope all the positive energy from this thread finds its way to your family Starkers.

Reply #110 November 17, 2005 4:47 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Don't worry yourself to death, my friend! You keep that positive thinking up. When you talk to your daughter next, make sure that she knows that you love her and are concerned for her, but don't be too parental. If she feels you are forcing her to return, she may never listen. I know it's hard. Give her a little time to make her choice correctly, don't tell her she is wrong. Only show support. Tell her you have hopes that she will return home soon. Ask her if she has any needs. Maybe she will feel homesick. But for sure, the best thing to do is give support, even though you do not agree with her choices. I hope things turn out well for you, I will keep you and yours in my heart and mind.

Reply #111 November 17, 2005 8:49 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks to everyone for their support and best wishes, it is much appreciated. That's what makes this community so great, the wonderful people who are supportive and caring of others.

Anyway, after getting less than 2 hours sleep, I was awoken this morning by a couple of detectives who are going to do what they can to help. These officers have a little more influence than their uniformed colleagues and will use that to hopefully resolve the situation. Finally, our persistent pleas for assistance have been answered. They make no promises but claim a high success rate in reuniting runaways with their families. Fingers and toes crossed.

Reply #112 November 17, 2005 9:17 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

good luck starkers.. my thoughts are with ya

Reply #113 November 17, 2005 11:18 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks, HG...I'm quietly confident that things will work out for the best...it's the waiting and feeling helpless that's the hardest right now.

Also, thanks for your words of wisdom, scorpio logic, they're much appreciated. We are trying to be loving and caring parents, rather than judgemental disciplinarians, but it's difficult to support a decision that's fraught with serious consequences. It's not that she's a bad kid, but right now she hates me because I intervened in an arrangement she had rightfully been forbidden to make. However, I'm not concerned as to whether she hates me or not, just that she's safe and well....not in harms way.

It's quite likely that she'll become home-sick, and when the detectives convey our thoughts and feelings, that we're concerned not angry, she will want to come home to where it's safe and her bread's best buttered.

Again, thank you to everyone....youre good people

Reply #114 November 18, 2005 6:16 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

It is Friday here. It doesn't get much better than that.

Reply #115 November 18, 2005 6:57 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

It is Friday here. It doesn't get much better than that.

Saturday?

Reply #116 November 18, 2005 6:42 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Bumped for Starker's sake.

Reply #117 November 18, 2005 6:55 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

This time next week,
I'll be with my sweetie

Reply #118 November 18, 2005 9:36 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Bumped for Starker's sake.

Thanks, NT....still no news as yet, but they say no news is good news. It has been a week now, and we're hoping the comforts of home are becoming more and more attractive as time goes by. She'll most likely come home with her tail between her legs when the people she's trusting let her down and going gets too tough out there.

The detectives have just advised that first thing Monday we need to take out a restraining order against a certain individual...the reasoning being that it gives them the teeth to act, and once they've intervened, she'll have no reason to stay away and will come home voluntarily. Given the circumstances, I find it totally ridiculous that we are being made responsible to enable law enforcement, but if that's what it takes, then so be it.

Also, I'd like to apologise for raising the issue here and hijacking the thread. It seemed at the time, with it's 'positive outlook', an appropriate place to get some of it off my chest, so to speak.

Oh well, all's well that ends well, and I'm sure this will.

Reply #119 November 20, 2005 1:46 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

I feel for you, Starkers. I hope she will learn a lesson and come home quickly by her own decision. Keep us posted.

Thanks, SD....just a bit of an update! My wife has some Salvation Army Officer friends who today offered to help us resolve the situation, given their experiences with runaways and the homeless, etc. One of these officers knows our daughter quite well and is confident she can help us reach a happy conclusion for us all through their friendly association, gentle persuasion and mediation, if required.

This is certainly good news, and now that we've been given an idea as to where she is staying, we are feeling a little more positive that she'll happily return home, all safe and sound.

Reply #120 November 20, 2005 2:10 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Safe and sound are two of the most perfect words ever strung together!

Sounds like really positive news! So happy for you and your family!
Children can break your heart and your mind and then your heart grows back even stronger! And these same children grow up to be perfectly wonderful!

On that positive note, my new life starts on the 1st of Dec. and I can't wait! I feel like a kid, myself!

Reply #121 November 20, 2005 4:51 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

On that positive note, my new life starts on the 1st of Dec. and I can't wait! I feel like a kid, myself!

And may all the best be with you along the way....cos feeling like a kid is when you can have the most fun.

Also, thank you for you kind and encouraging words

Reply #122 November 20, 2005 12:20 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Glad to be here. Glad someone else can share in being.

Reply #123 November 20, 2005 12:32 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Starkers
You have no reason to apologize. You certainly did not hijack the thread. Hijacking occurs when someone has a self-serving intent. You were speaking your heart in telling us your concerns for your daughter. Many of us want to be here for you any way we can. It's the opposite of hijacking

Reply #124 November 20, 2005 4:35 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

[aimzzz] Starkers You have no reason to apologize. You certainly did not hijack the thread. Hijacking occurs when someone has a self-serving intent. You were speaking your heart in telling us your concerns for your daughter. Many of us want to be here for you any way we can. It's the opposite of hijacking

aimzzz, thank you for those kind words, they're much appreciated, as are the caring and supportive thoughts of everyone who offered them. I suppose that normally I would have created a new thread for my own news, but it just didn't occur to me at the time and felt it polite to apologise for going a bit off course.

Despite being optomistic and hopeful, it is a difficult time, and right now I'm feeling quite tearful, not only because we're worried and not 100% sure of how and where she is, but also because kindness and concern from the other side of the world has me feeling all emotional. It can be such a cruel world at times, but when I feel 'mans' love for his fellow 'man', it restores my faith in human nature, making it a much better place to live.

What makes it even harder is that I have mobility issues and can no longer drive, so I feel even more helpless that I'm not able to be out there doing more to help find her. I've been here on the phone and puter collecting leads and information, but it doesn't feel like enough at times, with the wait seeming like forever, due to the inordinate lack of sleep. There are moments when I could kick her backside up to her shoulder blades , for the worry we're going through, but in reality, I'd be far too happy and relieved to see her when the time comes. Besides, I'm a bit too top heavy to lift my feet that high off the ground

Anyway, now that I've waffled on a bit, I need to go and catch a few zzzzzzzz's so I'm fit for another day.

Reply #125 November 20, 2005 4:47 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

starkers
Thank you for filling us in. I can only imagine the fears and frustrations you are experiencing. I am still praying for you and your family.