stormraiser wrote:I'm telling you what Perry, there isn't anyone alive I would want on my side besides you. You are a true friend. You just don't stop. Keep up the good work.
Anthony..thanks!
That means more to me than you will ever know. You and I go back in friendship three years...just as my friendship with David (vbhoutex), and Patricia (ticka) does.
You remember the old me...the tortured newbie soul at Storm2000 that could do nothing but lash out, make a fool of myself. I made Barbara Kasser despise me...and she's about as kind as anyone you'll ever meet on these boards. She's a kind woman, that also reminds me a great deal of my sister. Barbara told me to stop posting to trolls, to stop posting when I was angry over things in my personal life. I was too full of ego; was too stupid to listen to good advice, and lost a valued and wonderful friend because of it.
I could fib and say September 11, 2001 was the day that changed me Anthony, but it would be a lie--and you know it. True, 9/11 was a wake up call, and made me rethink my priorities in life; but I still made mistakes...I was banned 90 days from Wright-Wx in early 2002; I deserved it, and you know why... The humiliation I felt was worse than being banned; and the fact you knew why, made the humilation worse. I felt as if I'd personally slapped you in the face Anthony; betrayed a trusted friend.
I can't point to a single moment or reason I've changed so much since late 2000; It's actually many things: growing older, passing 40, realizing I wasn't immortal. Part of it was seeing a friend of mine since high school lying in a casket last June after blowing half his head off with a revolver. Part of it was knowing the love of my sister's three little sweethearts. Maddie has the same gentle smile of her mother, of my mother. Last week Madison told me over the phone "thanks for making the website for Jessica so she'll feel better. I love you uncle Perry"
That meant more to me than a million dollars...more than anything I could ever imagine. I'm just as thankful for my two little nephews Nick and Jacob. Sitting here during Thanksgiving week, Nick teaching me Pokeman
; Jacob showing me his latest Lego creation made me so humbled. I sat in the floor with Nick as we watched the football games, me teaching him strategy, him knowing much more than I gave him credit for.
I am a blessed man Anthony. True, I'm poor in finances, but rich in other ways. My sisters kids are all beautiful, extremely intelligent, charming. I was worried about sis because of her abusive past, that she might be an abusive mother, a careless mother.
I'm not boasting, but those are the three best behaved kids I've ever seen. She is a good woman, and her husband Dave is a great dad, a great husband...he's Becky's soulmate, her white knight; and I'm so thankful they found each other, met their destiny.
The final piece of what changed me was creating that little website in honor of Jessi. Not Pfc Lynch, not Jessica...but Jessi. I've created weather websites, only to throw up my hands and delete them. They weren't as good as Hurricane Hollow or others I saw. There was something missing. I kept adding things until it locked up my Webtv unit. I was never satisfied, never felt any peace...was empty.
I honestly don't care to ever create another weather site again. There are plenty of great weather sites on the net. No one needs my advice on whether it'll rain Tuesday, or whow many hurricanes will form in 03'. I made this small, tiny tribute to Jessica Lynch out of love...the same love I feel for my sister, my niece, my mother and grandmother. I made it in a small, humble, vain attempt to make her pain go away; to let her know I was proud of her, that I cared. Let her folks know how much I appreciated them.
Someone ask me do I love Jessi? love all of her family. I feel as if her dad and I are old friends.
He's a truck driver...I always wanted to drive a big rig, see America. Dee reminds me of my own mother. I'd feel honored to meet Greg, Jr. I know what he felt the past few weeks, because I felt it too as an older brother. Here's something no one even talks about.
Anyone else wonder how the poor guy feels that recruited Jessica into the army? I do, and know. His name is Sgt James Grady, and he's been in agony...he never dreamed Jessi would end up on a battlefield, tortured as a POW, broken, battered. I'd honestly love to meet him, shake his hand, and let him know it's okay...it's not his fault (I hear the Lynch family already did).
How would I like to meet Jessica, her dad, mom, and family? The same way I've always enjoyed meeting good people. I'd love to just sit on their front porch and talk, the same way I used to my uncle Gene in Tennessee, my great uncle Martin, my truck driving friend Gene here in my neighborhood. Just shoot the breeze, and enjoy each others company. Maybe that's the reason I fell in love with the Lynch family in the first place. They are like my momma's people in east Tennessee; like the good folks of Forsyth County, GA where my dad pastored a small church...they are wary of strangers, but once they know you are kind...a decent man, you become a member of their family.
Everyone reading this, please do me a big favor. If you know how to reach BocaGirl, FLDowndraft, Seesthru, Derecho, Gulf4caster, and those other good folks I offended in 2000 at GoPBI, tell them to read this.
I'm sorry folks...truly sorry, and not just for being a pompous idiot. I'm sorry I betrayed you, your friendship, your kindness. I'm sorry for screwing up your storm board. I'm sorry for ill feelings and words I spoke against you. I'm extremely ashamed of my actions, and have regretted it ever since. Worst of all, I'm sorry I lost you all as friends. I value you friendship....all of your friendships.
No, I will never post at that board again, but only because I enjoy it here so much, and because I don't want to be a distraction. I caused you all more than enough grief to last a lifetime. I know I've said I was sorry before, but this time I mean it from my heart. If you think I'm not sincere, please read my posts of the past couple weeks, especially those on this off topic board. Look at the website I created not for glory, not for reward, not for anything except to maybe make a brave young lady I think of as a little sister smile again, and not be afraid. I'd be extremely honored if each of you to post a get well message to Jessica...let her know you care she's alive, and back with her family again. It would mean so much to me, because I consider her and her parents as family.
Thanks,
Perry
my Cowboys 
