Nettie’s 2010 Thanksgiving “Letters of Gratitude” Column

Dear Ms. Nettie,

I am giving thanks this year every day for the many many blessings that have occurred in my life. For not taking the love of my life from a stroke, and for God giving him a second chance. For the food we eat everyday; for the clothing on our backs; for a nice warm bed to sleep in every night; and for our families.

I pray for everyone every day – for the sick and hurting people that are in a lot of pain. And for my only living sibling who had three-way bypass surgery and an artificial heart valve put in at such a young age – and survived it. And for being able to have my Pogo account as well. God only knows how much we all need the prayers, especially in these rough economic times for everyone.

Thank you, Ms. Nettie,

A Very Thankful Pogo Player.

Ms. Nettie,

I am writing to share some things that I have to be thankful for this year. 2010 has been a really rough year on my family. In January we discovered that my now 5 (4 at the time) year old son has celiac’s disease and can not eat any foods containing gluten, which means absolutely no wheat, rye, barley, etc…). At the very end of February, due to some of my own health issues, I had a hysterectomy at the age of 27. In April while I was still healing from surgery, my husband lost his job. I have to tell you – at times I felt like my whole world was coming down.

But I will tell you, while on bed rest recovering from the surgery, I discovered the Pogo forums. I’ve been an avid Club Pogo member since 2003 and had never been on the forums before then. I quickly got very involved and met some great and caring people. I started holding little contests, including a Pogo marathon that lasted a couple of days with a big group of people. I made some wonderful friends. And having these people to talk to and play games with while laid up in bed going through so many emotional times truly kept me going. Them sharing their own life stories helped me realize that I am not the only one going through hard times and that if they can get through what they are going through so can I.

I’m also grateful for the amazing amount of kindness among these same group of people. They give people random gifts of Gem mini mall items or badges to brighten up a person’s day and always remember to say “thanks” if I, or some one else, gifts them as well. Even just giving a few random gifts out to people myself made me feel better on rough days. Of course, just playing Pogo games when I had nothing else to do for 6 to 8 weeks also was a big help!

The people I have met on the forums have touched my life and heart in ways that I would never be able to express. So, I am thankful to Pogo and to the people of the Pogo forums for a great outlet earlier this year during a really rough time.

I am also thankful because in August my husband and I moved and I have been able to find work. We had been living in a hotel for a while, but are once again in a nice house. My son has adjusted to his diet and his doing much better healthwise. I, myself am also 100% better since the hysterectomy and although my husband has not yet found work, I have, and we are managing to survive.

And my friends on Pogo are still there.

So, thank you Pogo and members of Pogo for helping me through so much. I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving and believe 2011 will be a great year.

Gallons of Gratitude

Dear Ms. Netiquette,

This time of year is when we’re most thankful for things. I am so thankful for my husband, who is in the US Navy, and currently serving on deployment. This time of year with all the holidays and gatherings makes it difficult to be apart.

We have been married for 7 years, with a 2-year old daughter. I am so thankful for her, and the wonder she brings to me. I give thanks for a wonderful and supportive family, who is there when I need to talk. And for the friends that are there when I just need a shoulder to cry on. I am so thankful for my faith in God, and my fellow church members for the support that they also give. And I am thankful to the other military service members, no matter the branch, or which country they serve.

Thanks to sites like Pogo, and any other distraction I can find to take my mind off the loneliness that comes with being a single parent, even if it is temporary.

May we all be thankful for everything in our lives.

Jenny

Dear Ms Netiquette,

I wanted to tell you about something in Pogo that I am very thankful for this year. For this wonderful group of people from all over the globe, I am eternally thankful. They have been there to let me cry, vent, laugh and generally let me mourn a loss that I will feel for the rest of my life. They have helped by taking this roughest of times in my life and making it bittersweet.

This past summer I met with a group of wonderful people that get together just about every night in the same game room to play and chat. We have a blast together as a group: we laugh, we play, we pick on one another – in a fun way, of course. I’ve noticed that in such a short time, we have become like a Pogo family. I love them all dearly.

My Mother passed away on September 16, 2010, after being sick for sometime. She was in a coma the last 4 weeks of her life. They helped to see me through her illness, and then were there to listen as I have struggled the last few months wondering how I am going to get through losing my mother, who was my best friend in the entire world. Growing up we didn’t always have a lot, but my Mom did the Holidays well, and I am struggling with trying to get through them this year.

I am so grateful to this group of kooky, zany and downright wonderful people that have come into my life and made it all the more richer for their presence.

~Joy

Dear Ms. Netiquette,

Hi Nettie,

Hoping you are enjoying a wonderful cup of tea and a few biscuits to go with it. Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know what I am grateful for. I suffer from severe progressive rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalga and degenerative disc disease. So, needless to say I do not get out much.

In 2005 I discovered a wonderful site, Pogo.com It is now mostly my lifeline to the outside world. I have met so many wonderful and caring people on here and have made terrific friends. We play games, listen to each other and keep each other company. I am also very grateful for my grandchildren as they are the ones who keep me going. I especially love reading your column every week and just wish to say keep up the good work.

Thanks,

A Loyal Pogo Fan

Dear Ms. Netiquette,

Here is a story to tell. About 8 or 9 years ago my girlfriend suggest that I should try out this website called “Pogo”. One thing lead to another, I met a pal I’ll call “Dizzy”, who was living in Florida. At that time I was living in Vegas.

We kept in touch, by phone calls, emails, letters, etc. After all this time, I decided to meet her in person. I was very happy to see her for the first time. Now, I can put the voice to the face. She let us stay at her place. We went places and had a great time, too!

Thank you, POGO!

Friends All Over