Never stop caring
about the little things in life,
never stop dreaming
or give in to strife.
 
Never stop building bridges
that lead to promising tomorrows,
never stop trying
or give in to sorrows.

Never stop smiling
and looking forward to each new day,
But most of all my friend...
never stop shining in you own special way.

Never forget that all storms can clear,
the grayest sky can turn pure blue.
Remember, brighter tomorrows are near...
And of course, I'm always here for you

I'm not what you would call a computer savvy.... but ever since I got more time in my hands beginning last year, I began to be active surfing on just about anything that would feed my curiousity...food blogs and esoteric are a few of my favorite searches.....that is until friends started adding me to their friends' list on social- networking sites and one  introduced me to this website about 2 years ago and just officially signed up summer of this year for which I am grateful.  Internet can be 'addicting' at least that's my p.o.v  and I mean it as something positive for me especially when I'm learning a lot from what I'm reading...the most fun part is meeting friends online...I have joined a couple of  networking sites; made some friends of the same nationality but of course never divulging my physical condition....but learning that most of these male 'friends' have only females on their list with 'sexy' poses made me think twice of even continuing (no, i don't have provocative poses...apparently my 'cute' face is enough)...so I ended unsubscibing from the site.  No attachments whatsoever as I don't have anything common to share with them anyways.

Of course, an online community that would serve my needs for learning, inspiration,support and networking as an amputee is a different ballgame..being an amputee is something you have to go through for the rest of your life and meeting people with the same needs is always the goal (again, my p.o).  It's like trust.  It's like an unspoken agreement.  You know why you're here for or others like you are here for..sort of.  One can't get enough of inspiring stories to learn from but one can get 'high' from an overdose of compliments, praises and encouragement...it's like hypnotism for 'clueless' amputees....you lose your sense of trust...your sense of discernment.  You suddenly get inspired to 'be who you really are' and what better way to show is through pictures.  I love photos...I'm lucky to have a husband and daughter who are good at it.  Again, for a time since finding this site...this became my virtual gallery and my virtual hell. I believed I've 'fed' enough 'maniacs' through my seemingly 'honest' projection of my natural self.  Learning the hard way is still learning.  You learn, accept and start anew.  Being an amputee is never easy...but you get by in your own terms.  I learned not to be 'conditioned' to praises and compliments....amputees can be vulnerable.

Stay safe...The internet is a big jungle...you just have to wander in caution.  There are far too many unscrupulous characters even in a great website like lessthanfour.  Lesson learned.