Should I continue the journal? Or have I said everything I can, in every possible way?--Al

-- Al Schroeder (al.schroeder@nashville.com), November 27, 2000

Answers

Only you know the answer to that, Al. I write when I have something to say. I write when I have nothing to say. I write because I can't not write. When the day comes that it is easier not to write than to write, I will stop writing. Is there ever a point at which one has "said everything"? Or is there just a point when the words don't want to come any more and it's less painful to just stop for awhile. I think we each have to make that decision for ourselves.

-- Bev Sykes (basykes@dcn.davis.ca.us), November 28, 2000.

I agree with Bev -- only you can decide.

However, I conquered shyness by participating in your forums, you were a man who encouraged me enough to begin a diary. There were words and thoughts in me - you helped me by your encouragment to bring them out. I consider you, Bonnie and Sandy as my mentors and shiver at the thought that any of you would quit writing. I am not important, but the spirit you imparted gave me the courage to open my heart and my mind to others while in the process of looking for me. So for my part I do hope you keep writing if you find things to talk about. Your journal has brought to me much understanding of the world, you seem to be a level with the bubble in the middle which lets me see how canted and tilted many of the things in the world really are.

-- Denver doug (ionoi@webtv.net), November 28, 2000.

I for one would appreciate it if you choose to continue writing. To me you are a real person, and one I can understand, despite the many differences in our outward fate. Your thoughts interest me at least as much as the drama in your life. When you stop thinking, you can safely stop writing, for all I care. But that seems far away yet. -Still, it's not like you owe us anything. I can just say that I still read your every entry, and appreciate the time and thought you put into it.

-- Magnus Itland (itlandm@netcom.no), November 28, 2000.

Al-

Of course, it's your decision, but I know I come to feel like this is my daily heart-to-heart with a friend. I've never met you, but you strike me as someone I have a bit in common with. And most of all, you give me an example of someone struggling with everyday life and doing ok. You've had some setbacks and at least one major loss, but, over all, you come across as someone who's keeping a good attitude. I like having the example.

Sometimes your entries are painful to read. Probably painful to write. But you keep going. And when you stop, I'm gonna miss ya.

Mark

-- Mark K. Brown (kickaha23@aol.com), November 28, 2000.

I feel like I know you and your family because of your journal, your relationship with your wife makes me treasure my own marriage more, your relationship with your kids makes me want to be a parent myself someday. I think your writing truly enriches people's lives. You should only write if you find it rewarding, but I will miss you when you stop. -AJ

-- AJ (joijoijoi@hotmail.com), November 28, 2000.

As has been said, it's certainly your decision. But I would miss your writing if you stopped.

-- Becky (becky-says@diaryland.com), November 28, 2000.

CONTINUE! Of course, only you can make that decision. But we readers certainly have enjoyed your sharing your life with us. I've been reading for I think three years now. We don't choose what life gives us to deal with. All the topics can't be happy ones. But your life will continue to unfold for you, and if you want to share with us that unfolding, know we'll be glad to listen.

Hoping you'll continue, but I'll understand if you don't...,

Joan

-- Joan Lansberry (joanlansberry@hotmail.com), November 28, 2000.

I agree with everyone -- I would miss your writing a lot, but only you can decide. But wouldn't it kind of suck to give up your record for unbroken postings? I mean, you've gone more consecutive days with an update to your diary than ANYONE else -- even The Gus has lapsed into silence for weeks at a time. You're the Lou Gehrig of the "online journaling community."

-- Tom Dean (tsd@ogk.com), November 29, 2000.

you've saved my sanity, literally. so i'd selfishly say, please continue. but it is enough (strangely) to know you are there even if there is no nova notes. could you at least continue till we know who's president? love to you and your family, a fan...

-- patrice rapalus (prapalus@cmp.com), November 29, 2000.

Al, I rather doubt that you will EVER run out of "things to say"- however, you may have run out of time or interest in saying them in a public forum. Your readers will sigh and sadly understand if you discontinue the journal entries, but we will all breathe a collective sigh of relief if you decide to postpone that day for a long long time.

-- Barb (possemom@hotmail.com), December 01, 2000.

From my point of view, please keep at it. I find your journal moving, entertaining and interesting. Our lives are very different, but many of our interests (books, comics, etc.) are similar, so that makes it particularly enjoyable to read your writing. I never knew who Dr. Fell and HM were based on, for example, so that was interesting to find out, though HM is completely obvious once you mentioned it.

Looked at more objectively, how can you have exhausted the things to write about, when your *life* is on-going. Each day brings new things to experience and process and react to and write about (good thing, too).

BTW, The Three Coffins is a terrific book. The solution is somewhat similar to The Kennel Murder Case by Van Dyne, but they're very different writers so the books are not really similar at all.

Anyway, hope you keep at it for a long time, Al. At least until there's a Lensman mini-series.

-- John Bragazzi (utown@worldnet.att.net), December 04, 2000.

Continue on...my own thoughts are that there is much more to write..could it be that you have only scratched the surface? Thank you for your contribution to my soul journey..the questions are thought provoking leading to more questions & answers.

-- peggy (degal@dol.net), December 11, 2000.