You Are My People

This has been a busy and exhausting week for me with school and school assignments, fic and blog chores, and I'm afraid I've fallen behind in everything. I will catch up, but it will take me a few more days to do so, and I appreciate your patience in the meantime.

There's little specific news of Leo right now. He's fully healed from his neutering surgery, and enjoying the late summer/early fall days. Leslie has her hands full at the moment, having just finished a team training, with a litter of puppies due any moment now, and with another team training scheduled for mid-October.

So, this week's post is about the realization I came to talking with my bestie on the phone recently. You are my people, y'all are my peeps and I fit here! I FINALLY fit somewhere, squeeeeee!

I've always been an outcast, an outsider, a loner — not really fitting in anywhere — including my family of origin. But here, here I fit. Not only do I fit, I'm welcomed, loved, and accepted. The outpouring of love and support on my birthday I found overwhelming. The financial support pouring in now brought with it a full on anxiety attack one recent afternoon. Never, never ever in my life have I experienced such abundance, love, support, acceptance, and blessings. Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!! You're my peeps!

I feel held and hugged in your multitude of arms. My arms stretch wide to hug and hold you all in return. Our community is global and I've seen proof of that in my inbox with all the email receipts from PayPal. I plan to list all the countries and states that have been represented via donations when this fundraiser is complete. It's quite amazing, and the reality has me completely gobsmacked.

Not even gonna lie, this realization made a world of difference this past school weekend. It's kind of hard to put into words, but I didn't feel as much inner pressure to make friends and bond there as I have in the past. I was just more relaxed. I hope that makes sense at least sorta kinda.

We've come a long way — farther than I thought we might when I started this if I'm being completely honest. We're not there yet, but the goal is definitely more in reach. Please keep spreading the word, sharing with others, posting in forums, on blogs, twitter, and facebook, thank you.

With much love and many hugs (and a few Leo licks),
Mal