Thursday, August 21, 2008

Happy 5th, JLand


I wanted to write an entry tonight because this is the 5th Anniversary of AOL Blogs. I couldn't let this day go by without saying what JLand means to me.   
 
I have been writing a JLand blog for less than a year now, about which I have received many thoughtful and concerned comments.  I knew two years earlier, however, that JLand was a caring community where people would take the time and go to the effort to support and encourage others who they had never actually met.  Even before I had gotten my bone marrow transplant, I was receiving a great deal of traditional mail from JLanders literally around the world wishing me well and offering thoughts and prayers that my transplant would go well.  My wife, Krissy, often told me about the outpouring of concern for both of us in the comment section of her blog, and would read aloud comments left there for me by JLanders. 
 
After my transplant, while I was an inpatient at Hershey Medical Center, Krissy would bring to my patient room each morning a stack of cards and letters from JLanders inquiring about my health and wishing both of us well.  At Hope Lodge, where Krissy lived while I was hospitalized, the staff would keep our abundance of mail at the lodge office and would jokingly ask her if we had a fan club.  The warmth and affection generously offered by JLanders played a large part in keeping my spirits lifted during the long year I spent in the hospital.  All of you have my most sincere gratitude.
 
I learned that JLanders represented the best that humanity had to offer.  Your interest in others continues today, not just for my wife and me, but also for other JLanders and people in general. 
 
Happy 5th Anniversary, JLand!  Your mutual interest and support for each other makes JLand a uniquely welcoming place.
 
John

9 comments:

  1. what a great entry, John!!! J-Land truly is a wonderful place, isn't it?? so glad we have this means to get to know each other and to be able to be parts of other people's lives we never would have known otherwise

    thanks for sharing your thoughts!

    betty

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  2. Lovely entry John and I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments.

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  3. I agree jland does have the best that humanity has to offer but, don't forget that you and Krissy are included in that too, jland wouldn't be the same without you!

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  4. great entry John...  the good far outweighs the bad and the support given cannot be outdone.
    hugs
    d

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  5. Beautiful, John.  Happy Anniversary JLand!  That is when I knew how wonderful my JLand friends were - when you were preparing for your bmt.  Wow!  With every card and package that came, I wept tears.  This was a lovely entry, heartfelt.  Love, Val xox
    http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ThereisaSeason

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  6. Very nice entry.
    Pam

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  7. jland is a wonderful place full of wonderful people, and we're very happy to have you with us. (((((hugs))))))
    Love,
    Cindy

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  8. Thanks John for this very nice entry.    We're glad you joined us.  Take care,    Dawn

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  9. Glad you are officially a part of us now!  -  Barbara

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