2003 Chicago Reunion closing....

[LUVMyBirman]

Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for making the reunion a success!

It was wonderful to gather with old friends and welcome in new members to the VR.com family. It's truly an amazing experience that cannot be fully described here. Parting was not an easy task today.

Next years reunion location has been announced. Hank along with his 2004 reunion committee will be along shortly with general details. This will give everyone enough advance notice to plan ahead.

Thank you again for the opportunity to host the 2003 reunion in Chicago. You all are very special! Could not imagine life without you.

****Special thanks to local members, Perry A & his wife Kathie for making the wonderful party favors for the main dinner! Lorraine, thank you again for touring with the group on Friday.
Also, would like echo Betty's post. Billy from Ireland was ever so gracious with his dedication of time to take photos and warm our bellies with Bushmills! Thanks Billy. Janie brought along some delicious treats of pecan and carmel for everyone from SAT! Yummy!

Last but not least....to the members who donated funds for Hank and Michelles trip. Your generosity was overwhelming and greatly appreciated. Without you.... it would not have been a reality!

[knightfan2691]

Gina,

Thank YOU for hosting the 2003 Chicago VR.com Reunion :).

It was an absolutely great time! I'm sorry I didn't go with ya'll into Chicago on Saturday, but I'm glad I stayed with Robert and relaxed.... I'm not sure it would've been a good idea to walk around so much with my right leg still a bit sore.

The Friday nite dinner was wonderful. It was great to hear the stories from people.

And, I hope I didn't upset anyone too much with my eyes on the TV most of that night.... It's not often that we Chicagoans get to see a baseball team, let alone the Cubs, playing in October, let alone the playoffs......

Peace...always,
Cort S, pig's valve & pacemaker-enhanced 30/swm
AIM=fc72mc ... YIM=knightfan2691
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[Robt Z]

Dottie and I enjoyed the reunion and now have very fine memories of wonderful bunch of folks. I dont think Dottie's stomach handled the leftover steak too well but otherwise it was real fun. Too bad we can't all meet tomorrow a.m. in the Atrium for some breakfast and chit chat. I will miss my beautiful king size hotel bed and lovely suite. A Queen size bed with Dottie is not as roomy. Back to reality for now. Too all who I met it was a blast. Hope to see you all again next year if not sooner. Will be waiting for more info on that cruise we discussed. Please make sure Dottie is welcome or I will have to pass or just wait for you all at the dock.

Robert Z

[Billy]

Hey Gina.....what a 'hostess' you were!!!! Everything went like clockwork, even on Navy Pier when folks wandered off and got lost, they all seemed to show up again at the right time.

We were all so lucky to have you 'on the spot' for the weeks leading up to the weekend to make all the arrangements and then to have you there to see that we all had a good time.

A good job....well done.....Thank you for all your efforts....

Cheers,
Billy

[Lorraine]

Gina, Thanks again for pulling it all together! You did a great job. I was glad to help in any way i could .

Touring downtown was fun, and I was glad to take the group. We had a fun day.

It really is a wonderful experience that is hard to put into words. Seeing old members again, and meeting new members was delighful! Parting was hard to do. Like you Gina, Carol, Cort and I didn't seem to want to go until we saw every last member leave on their journeys home! Parting wasn't easy.

Perrys and Kathies party favors are really special. Our little hearts with Chicago written on them, our Chicago graphic cups and address books are precious. Very nicely done, Perry and Kathie.

I second echo Betty about Billy bringing the Bushmills. Sure did warm the belly!:) Billy you were more gracious to take our photos and play the piano yet one more time for us! It was special.

Janie your pecans and caramel were yummy! Glad we got some time together.

Cort, you know we wouldn't have expected you to run around Chicago with us. You did the right thing. You were still around for all the other events. And of course you had to be the overeseer of our beloved Cubbies!:D I apologize for distracting you when you were giving your speech. I knew you knew I would be taking peeks at the game while you were giving your speech. All you had to do was look at my face to know if you should take a sideways glance yourself at the TV to see what was happening. Hey, at some points those Marlins just aout had me biting my nails.
And true, whenever do we get to see the Cubs playing in mid October in the playoffs!! :)

Robert, Dottie is so cute. Of course she has to be at all the reunions if possible, well except for if we do a cruise! If your around the area, or can make it when we do one of our mini reunions, it would be a pleasure to see you again. Are dogs allowed in Pool Halls? If we don't see you before, for sure next year.

It was wonderful to see everyone. I was glad High Rain could be there too. I owe my joining vr.com to her. I looked at the forum, read her story because she had the same name as I do, and emailed her. She was the one who encouraged me to get on and starting asking my questions. I had never gotten on any forum where you interacted with other people. I'm so glad, thanks to Rain that I did. It has been the best thing I could have ever done. Then I got to meet her in Vegas last year. When I met her, she said "You're sooo short! I said "and you're soooo Tall! Going to the reunions and being a part of this forum has been the most heart warming experience I've ever had. I too, don't know what I would have done without you all!

[knightfan2691]

For me, I think part of the reason parting isn't easy...is because I had such a great time...and I know most of ya'll I'll only get to see once a year....unless, of course, I see you on a road trip of some sort. It is sssssoooo cool to finally have friends that face similar/same issues as I do, that I don't wanna just see 'em once a year....if that makes any sense.

*sighs*

I, too, didn't want to leave until I was "certain" all were well on their respective journeys home......

*returns to topic at hand*

I echo all of the "thank you" sentiments....it truly was a team effort and it was well done :)

Lorraine:
Yeah, I know I did the right thing.... Despite the fact that I didn't get to drive my baby girls (it was an absolutely gorgeous day for a cruise), it kinda felt good to just sit around and rest and do virtually nothing for a change.........

And, no worries about "distracting" me....as I mentioned to ya, I was taking peaks myself...I just had you as a mirror ;). LOL!

Yeah know...after you mentioned how you arrived at vr.com, I went to search my posts, but couldn't find my first one...... I can't seem to remember when or who or what brought me here.......LOL. Well, I am getting older........... ;)

[Ross]

I went to search my posts, but couldn't find my first one...... You mean this one? :D

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=21936#post21936

[Rain]

Lorraine, you are a dear friend. We’re lucky to have you in our family. I remember how difficult it was to talk you into posting. And then meeting you in Vegas. That was hilarious. I really wasn’t expecting you to be so short. You’ve got to come to CO and get a picture taken with my 6'8" Ry guy. Believe me, Ryan gets as irritated with ‘hows the weather up there’ type comments as you and Cort do with being leaned on. lol

Thank you all for the goodies, treasures, friendships and memories.

[Ross]

I remember how difficult it was to talk you into posting. :confused: Whadda mean? She was just fine until she started talking to me. Now she's been corrupted and will never be the same again. :D

[Rain]

ROSS!!! You crazy guy, how the heck are you?! It was sooooo wonderful talking to you on the phone. I swear I’m gonna find a way to get you to Colorado next year!!

And about my girlfriend, Lorraine..... I don't think she needed any help. :p

[Ross]

At the rate things are going with me, you might have to find me a wheelchair and oxygen. I'm pretty pathetic. Hard to believe, but true.

[Lorraine]

Rossman, We will try to find a way to get a wheelchair and Oxygen! We'd love to have you with us! No one is pathetic in our eyes! We're family and family sticks close together!

How sweet that you thought I wasn't corrupted before I talked to you! High-Rain's right though, I really didn't need much help, once I finally started posting!:D Come to one of the reunions and you'll never be the same again! :D :D :D

Rain- I can just imagine what a picture of your son and I would look like together! Something like Jack and the Beanstalk! :D :D
I will be there. I plan to start saving my money now for the occasion!

Hey, Cort, like I said before, I knew I was your mirror! It was great fun! We Cub fans hafta stick together! :cool:

[knightfan2691]

OM Goodness........

Ross, thanks for pulling up my first post.

*sighs*

I joined 5 days before my grandmother died last October....

My, how different it all feels almost a year later...and my how much has changed in that short year........


Lorraine...absolutely us Cubs fans have to stick together!

[Karlynn]

Ross,
In the short time I've been on this forum I've come up with many words to describe you:
Funny, wise, caring, encouraging, welcoming, honest, warped, thong enthusiast...
Pathetic is not one that has ever come to mind.

:mad:
Karlynn

[Nancy]

Hi Ross-

I just have to comment on your post above. Your body may have failed you in some respects, but your spirit is that of a giant. You are a remarkable man and a fantastic inspiration to all on this board. In spite of it all, you have warmth, humor, intelligence and love.

Many people on this board have had to learn to live "outside of their bodies" and let their spirits soar to new heights.

This is about life, man, whatever shape it takes.

Everyone here is a hero!

[Ross]

I just want you folks to realize that while I'm the energetic screwball in the cyberworld, I'm more like the someone you walk around because they're moving too slowly in front of you. I don't know exactly how to describe it. I'm not up to par with most all of you and I feel as though I'd be a huge burden to put up with. I'm only speaking the truth and the way I see it through my eyes. I know you people care about me alot and I appreciate it very much.

[hensylee]

Ross, I would never walk past you. I would just walk along beside you. We could help each other!:)

[hensylee]

Cort, I just went back and re-read your first posts. Lots over the dam since then.

BTW your grandmother is still keepin track.

[epstns]

Hey, Ross, If we manage to get O2 and a wheelchair for you next year, may I have the absolute HONOR of pushing your chair?

You have been such an inspiration to a newbie like me that I cannot imagine having anything but great respect for you.

Stay with us, buddy!

[Les]

Ross,
We walk beside (and with) you every day.......
_________________
Les AVR '93 / '95

[pillarpaul]

Ross,

I will personally get you from the airport and arrange to have oxygen awaiting you here, so there! No excuses!!!

Hey, Les, is that an old photo of you or did you resize a part of an old Moby Grape album? :D

Paul

[Rain]

Besides all the love and care we have for you as an individual..... you’re Hank’s right hand man! How can any reunion really be complete without you there?!!

Like Nancy said, we don't really care what your body looks like or how it functions....... that's not the part we love.... it's much deeper than that. We'll take good care of you, Ross.

[sylviayasgur]

hi all!
i just wanted to thank you all for such a wonderful reunion. those of you who brought all the "goodies", that was so thoughtful (janie_ yummy caramel pecans!, billy_thanks for the bushmills , perry_ you and kathy, thank you so much for the mugs and great stuff inside!!!, gina, lorraine, cort_ thanks for all your hospitality. gina, you outdid yourself in planning this wonderful event! we really appreciated everything and enjoyed it thoroughly!).
it was so incredible meeting all of you after our online relationship for so long.
i will never forget this. (by the way, i'm already working on joey for next year's!!!!)
i miss you all already. hope you are all feeling well, sylvia
by the way, you all look so much better ( i know i told you) than your avatars!!!
a really nice looking bunch of folks, everyone!

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Sylvia,

Was waiting for you to return! I feel horrible that we were separated at Navy Pier....and did not get to have our goodbyes!

It was so nice to meet you both. Super people just as I suspected;)

It was also great to see Joey having such a good time. He reminds me a lot of my Tracy. Real go getter and always on the move.

Thanks again for coming! All of the planning and organizing was worth it 1000 times over!

You are correct, our avatars do not do us justice. Especially mine. Did you notice Helllo Kitty is out of here! lol.

Hope to see you in Denver!
Take care and give my best to Joey.

[knightfan2691]

Hensylee,

Yeah....I know...lots over the dam since then...kinda scary...and sad....and wonderful...all at the same time....

As for Gram, oh heck yes she is. The Cubs are winning, ain't they? ;)

LOL!

[sylviayasgur]

hi gina!
thank you for all the preparation and planning you put into this reunion; it ran so smoothly. you did a wonderful job!
i felt badly that we had so many other obligations and couldn't be with you all on saturday night; sounds like you had quite a time!!!
hopefully, we'll make it to denver next year and we can be with you all the time.
thanks again for everything. it was so special to meet everyone. it's amazing how meeting you all has only confirmed how very fond of you all i am_ each and every one of you is so terrific and being together really meant a lot to us.
joey actually had fun and if i start talking about next year's reunion now, maybe by then he'll agree to go again.
hope you're all well and recovered from the reunion!
-sylvia

[Michelle]

We are home too and I have been reading all the posts. I want to ditto everything that has been said about the reunion. It was wonderful, what an amazing group of people you all are!

Thank you to everyone who made it so and especially thank you to all who contributed to get Hank and I there! We don't know who you are, but we truely are honored and appreciative.

To Ross, you need to know how much all of these people love you! I wish I would have video taped Friday nights dinner, so you could hear it for yourself. Without you this site wouldn't be as great as it is. you do so much! Hank and I love you and appreciate you so much, as does everyone else!

I can't wait till next year! If anyone is going to be in the Pheonix area before then, let us know, we would love to see you.

[LUVMyBirman]

Hello First Lady!

Happy to see you home safe and sound. Would love to hear about Navoo! Drop me a PM if you have a moment.

Working on the list of contributors. Will zap that off to you very soon.



:)