AN HONOUR TO BE RECOGNISED.

Posted by Bill

on Aug 08, 2019

Today I had a big surprise
which I found hard to criticize
because it was an exercise
to honour and to recognise.

Without warning, out of nowhere,
someone, somewhere did declare
that I should be rewarded for
the writing that I’ve done before.

Lifetime membership on this site
has been deemed to be the right
reward for all my contributions
to this online institution.

My problem is, I find it hard
to be held in high regard
for things that I do generally
and things that just come naturally.

Rewards can feel embarrassing
when given for just corresponding
on anything and everything
that I might find interesting.

Just for historical record,
I do not write for a reward,
but simply so that I can share
the feeling that I really care.

It’s always been reward enough
to know that people read my stuff
and sometimes feel it’s some value
when sifting through what’s false or true.

It’s great to gain this accolade
for contributions I have made.
But I well-know that it is true
this would not be so - without you.

B. Withers 2019

The email which came today:

Hi (Bill), I would like to let you know that we have extended your Full Member status to a Lifetime Full Member. Thank you for being an outstanding contributor to MeetAnOstoMate's forum! Regards, --

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Comments:

veejay : Congratulations Bill.....thoroughly deserved. Always enjoy reading your contributions. V.J. Aug 08, 2019

Bill : Thank you VJ. I'm not sure that I deserve this accolade any more than any of the other contributors on here. Plus, the sentiment expressed in the penultimate verse: 'It's always been reward enough to know that people read my stuff' tries to capture how I feel about it being more important to receive individual, personalised comments like yours, than to be 'honoured' by admin for my 'contributions, which somehow makes it sound a bit academic and organisational rather than personal. Another thing I was struggling with, was how this sort of accolade stacks up against my desire to be 'a nobody'.(see my profile for the appropriate rhyme in this regard). Nonetheless, my first reaction was that Admin seemed to be recognizing my literary contributions without any prompting and I had often wondered if they actually read any of the posts.(my cynicism emerges from years of writing for organisations whose only aim seemed to be the bureaucratic endeavour of creating large volumes of paperwork rather than helping those whom they were supposed to be supporting). Best wishes Bill Aug 08, 2019

newyorktorque : well done Bill. I always enjoy your poems. Aug 08, 2019

Morning glory : Congratulations Bill...enjoy reading your work. Aug 08, 2019

dls : it's about time. dls Aug 08, 2019

w30bob : Awesome Bill........Congrats. Ohhhhh....those were POEMS you wrote? Oh, now it all makes sense. Silly me....I just thought you had Tourette's or something. HEY.....Just kidding!!! You ROCK brother!! Keep doin' what you're doin'!! regards, bob Aug 08, 2019

Puppyluv56 : Well deserved Bill! Love your writing. So glad you have made it back to posting not only your well thought out responses, but your rhyme! Thanks for all you bring to the site! Puppyluv Aug 08, 2019

Bill : Thank you everyone for your congratulations and support. I've obviously been going through a bit of a bad patch with the bypass and recovery which is taking longer than I expected or wished for. The award of a lifetime's membership came out of the blue and did cheer me up for a while. However, I then began to ponder on what that might mean and came to the conclusion that, at my age and deteriorating health, the benefits of the award might not last that long! Pain has kept me awake at nights and sleep deprivation is not helping my mood or concentration. Thus, I have stopped writing for the time being and reverted to rhyming verse which I can undertake in relatively short bursts. Something that is much more difficult with inventing and following the plots and characters within novels. Unfortunately, the drugs they have put me on since my operation have played havoc with my stoma's routine which is yet another thing that is both annoying and frustrating. Woe is me! for I am aging faster than I would wish to be. Hopefully it'll all settle down soon and I will be able to get back to some resemblance of 'normality' - whatever that is. Aug 08, 2019

dadnabbit : Well deserved, Bill, and as usual a pleasure to read the latest contribution. And Hey, Think positive--TO YOUR LONG LIFE !!! Dadnabbit Aug 08, 2019

dls : It's never easy, but now, look back on all you've accomplished, written, created and passed on to others. The flesh may be a bit weary, but your soul and intelligence are just hitting their stride. GOOD ON YOU! Cheers to many healthy and happy years ahead...we need you and your wisdom and clever quips. dls Aug 08, 2019

veejay : So true Bill, for us members of the Altered Plumbing Society what is normal? I haven't been on this planet as long as you but as you say, ageing does bring health issues. Hernias, (stoma function) enlarged prostate, impotency, heart by-pass, tinnitus, breathing problems etc etc. Then there is the physiological issues. Self esteem, body image, female rejectionnon-ostomate and ostomate (that hurt, twice). So once again what is normal? There was a man next to me at the supermarket check-out the other night on crutches. I didn't take much notice of him but he appeared to be on his way home from work as was I. We were wearing similar clothes (hi-vis). It was only when he went passed me that I noticed he only had one leg. His left leg had been amputated well above the knee. I watched as he walked to his car with his groceries, threw them in, followed by his crutches and then drove away. I felt like chasing him and shaking his hand. The moral of the story I guess is, we somehow manage to cope no matter how many curve balls, as the Americans say, we are thrown. Keep well Bill, this site needs you and your contributions. V.J. Aug 10, 2019

Bill : Thank you all so much for your kind and supportive comments. Aug 11, 2019

Angel9909 : Bill I am new to ostomates, i jus had my surgery on August 7th. It is something that has been easy to deal with- but I will get there as I have with all the other health issues I have had over the years. One thing I will honestly say is I love your posts. Keep up the good work and may God bless you with his guidance! ???? Aug 17, 2019

Bill : Hello Angel. Welcome to MAO and thank you so much for your kind response to this post. It is so gratifying to think that people read and appreciate the things we write. Best wishes Bill Aug 17, 2019

iMacG5 : Sorry, Bill. Im a month late but have some thoughts Id like to share. I respect your cynicism. It probably comes from the wisdom you gained from all your experiences. Ive admired your humility going way back to when you downplayed your writing skills and suggested you produced these gems because you enjoyed doing it and not to show off. Please dont wonder if the Administration actually read your posts. Im certain you were honored for your kind, caring, compassionate, humane offerings even more than your rhyming skills. I will read your profile but first I need you to know youll never be a nobody. Youve been a blessing to lots of us and an example that life can look somewhat better when observed from different perspectives. We have all been rewarded by your efforts. Congratulations for being recognized as you deserve. Sincerely, Mike Sep 08, 2019

Bill : Hello Mike. There is no need to apologise for replying anytime after the original post. It is still gratifying to know when someone has read this stuff and then make the effort express their appreciation. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Best wishes Bill Sep 09, 2019

Dixie1 : Congratulations Bill, You and your prose are an inspiration! It's nice to know people take notice and show appreciation. Thank you for all your time and effort in posting It is appreciated. Keep Well. Sep 09, 2019

Bill : Thank you Dixie. As you say, it is so encouraging when people indicate that they have read this stuff and it is even more motivating when they indicate their appreciation. Best wishes Bill Sep 10, 2019