At some point, I realized it was all going downhill, and that President Clinton was going to get away with all of it. Nothing was going to touch him and he was going to WALK. I was furious, and then I was demoralized. All that work to frame a case against him...and he slithered out of it.
I posted on the thread, and told them I was giving up. Some battles cannot be won and we would never win against Clinton. I told them I was taking some time off and I was leaving the site and I didn't know if or when I would return.
So many sweet people posted messages to me. They told me to get away for a while, recharge my batteries....get the rest I needed, do other stuff and come back when I felt like I could.
Then meandog posted. I have wished for years now that I had saved that post. I can only paraphrase what he said to me as closely as I can remember it:
"Towanda,I got back in the boat.
Well the rest of them can post their pretty little platitudes to you if they want, but you ain't gettin' that from me.
Here's the way I see it: We got a war going, and we're in it for the duration. NOW if one member of our crew jumps ship, then it hurts everyone. It weakens the warriors who are still in the fight, it puts our ship in jeopardy, and it could make all the difference in the outcome.
Who the hell are you to sit there and whine about how tough things are? Whoever told you this was going to be easy? Who gave you permission to go AWOL when you decided you didn't want to keep fighting? I thought we all signed on to this battle for life.....because I am telling you gal, we are in the fight of our lives here and we are not allowed to quit when the going gets tough.
So no. I am not going to tell you to take some time and smell the flowers and get some rest. Your crewmates need you; they are counting on you. Your country needs your voice. How do we know whether one more person in the fight might be enough to tip the scales in our favor, in our country's favor?
So dear Towanda, my buddy and my comrade in arms, here is my best advice to you: Please stop the BS and wailing and whining and get your ass back in the boat. And start rowing.
P.S. You can sit by me. Love ya gal."
I also never forgot that message. I have used it before several times to tell other people who are discouraged that we don't have the luxury of taking time out to be discouraged. The whole battle could be lost while we are AWOL.
I just wanted to share a post from seven years ago that still has an impact on whether I keep going or not.
So anyone who wants to quit please get back in the boat.
I don't want meandog to come looking for you ... or for me again. haha
Sharon
