The journey from there to here
(Moving on)
Published on December 1, 2010 By Gideon MacLeish In Current Events

Before I begin, let me apologize for once again gracing the pages of JU. I promised I would leave, and I fully meant it up until I discovered a couple of (two months old) messages from former JUers.

As many of you know, there was a great deal of conflict that erupted over things that occurred between me and the family of another JU member almost three years ago. While many lies were spread (such as the fact that I NEVER raised my children in a home without utilities or had my wife isolated without access to a phone and am willing to PROVE it with billing statements from both entities covering the last seven years if need be), there were also many demons exposed that I DID need to confront (namely, eating problems and a tendency to isolate myself from problems rather than confront them). I dealt with those problems and moved on.

But apparently there are those on JU who intend to keep their vow and pursue me to my grave, or theirs, whichever comes first. I can't speak to that behavior, but it doesn't seem healthy to me. In the wake of everything that erupted, I evaluated my options, spoke extensively with my wife, and worked to change some of the things that needed changing. I tend to bring a lot of things on myself, and the fact is, the overcommitments I had made of my time (trying to finish full time college while working full time, trying to raise a family, AND serving on community boards) had left me emotionally drained. I quit the volunteer work (for the time), and cut back the school hours to a sustainable level. I did finish my four year degree and am working on my career. Sometime in the future, grad school is in the plans, but we'll leave that to a time when I can manage the schedule (probably not within the next year or two).

I can't word an apology lengthy enough or sufficient enough to erase the hard feelings some of you have to me here on JU, and I'm not going to try to win back your trust. Please, however, in considering your feelings toward me, consider this: I COULD have taken the "easy way out" by changing my username, erasing articles, and doing other things to try to mask who I am, I COULD have left the area where we live and try to start fresh somewhere else, but I didn't. And that should count for something.

I'm not going to stick around here, but please know that I think of each of you fondly and miss the community here on JU (even if it wasn't always a healthy participation on my part. All I am asking of you this Christmas season is the chance to move on.

Please.


Comments
on Dec 01, 2010

Lots has happened since your hiatus began.  We have a new party in politics (well, perhaps just a faction), that may be more to your liking (it sure is mine).  I have a new job as well!  The end that I foretold many years ago came about, but on my schedule thankfully.

So while you were getting a 4 year degree, I started working for Higher Ed!

Welcome back!  I hope you post a lot more.  The halls are mostly empty and few of us left that post.  So fresh material is very welcome!  Especially from one whose writings are fine to read.

 

p.s.  Stay away from h8ful.

on Dec 01, 2010

I would certainly enjoy having you back.  

 

on Dec 01, 2010

 

I agree with DRG and Island Dog.

A hearty Welcome Back Gideon.

I can't word an apology lengthy enough or sufficient enough to erase the hard feelings some of you have to me here on JU,

As I see it, there is no need for an apology. Leave the hard feelings of the past in the past and move forward using JU for what it is...a discussion forum in which ideas, opinions, facts and fiction are presented and discussed in a civil fashion.

 

 

 

 

 

on Dec 01, 2010

I doubt many here even recall the events, certainly none that are too bothered about it.

DG congrats on the new job. I recently start a new one myself.

on Dec 01, 2010

Welcome back Gid.  Nice to hear from you again.  The past is the past (agree with Lula) and the future is as bright as you want it to be.  Hope you stick around. 

 

 

on Dec 02, 2010

Nitro Cruiser
I doubt many here even recall the events, certainly none that are too bothered about it.

DG congrats on the new job. I recently start a new one myself.

Well - mine is about a year old now (just celebrated my anniversary in fact).  Congrats on yours as well!

on Dec 02, 2010

Well - mine is about a year old now (just celebrated my anniversary in fact). Congrats on yours as well!

Thanks!

on Dec 03, 2010

 

I dealt with those problems and moved on.

Proof of change is not in words, but in deed.

This is a virtual community, and while important, not essential.  Perhaps mending fences in the real world should be your priority.  Leave your gift at the altar and run to make amends with those brothers and sisters you offended.

Have you gone to Tex’s grandparents?  Looked them in the eye and apologized for being a poor steward of the home they sheltered your family in rent-free for a time?  Have you attempted any sort of restitution Gid?  They are fellow believers.  You hurt them.  Badly.  They reached out in love to your family and were repaid with evil.

Have you made things right?  If not financially, spiritually? 

I wish you and your family well. 

But change?  Much like love, is an action word.

on Dec 03, 2010

Tova,

Agreed. And it's ongoing.

on Dec 03, 2010

I doubt many here even recall the events, certainly none that are too bothered about it.

I stand corrected. i.e. Tova.