Wow......thanks,,,,,,,,I loved your "emotional" sharing!!!!!!   Susan B.

"Melissa J. Cullison" wrote:

> Hello all
>
> Before you read further, if you are offended by personal stories on this
> list then DELETE THIS IMMEDIATELY!!!   I'm fed up with the argument about
> list content.  I wish it wasn't Friday so I could violate the guidelines
> even further.  As it is I'll have to settle for sucking up bandwidth.  I'm
> gonna post this and dare anyone to flame me.
>
> We fell in love with Westys by renting one from Roamin Holidays (the fine
> business now for sale) in Albuquerque, NM in 1997.  Since then we have
> searched high and low for one of our own.
>
> In March of this year I was diagnosed with cancer.  Big surprise, Big scare
> Big DEAL.  Despite successful surgery, follow-up chemo was prescribed
> because of the size of the tumor and my relatively young (40) age.  I
> prepared for 6 months of misery.  Into the 2nd horrible month of chemo we
> found a van for sale on this list.  It was near enough for us to drive to
> and the price was right.  We bought it and placed it on show in our
> driveway to brighten my days every time I looked at it.
>
> We had to purchase about $1100.00 of replacement parts from The Bus Depot,
> (fine service, by the way) and because my hubby is so handy he replaced the
> exhaust system himself - saving us boocoo bucks.  He worked on it over the
> summer - lovingly improving, adjusting, cleaning, tuning the blue beast for
> ME - for US - FOR THE FUTURE.  When I had a few hours of feeling "marginal"
> I would go out and polish a window - or wash the curtains - or vacuum a
> seat - then I would go back to bed.  This van was a summer-long project and
> a symbol of our positive attitude.  This van brought more smiles to my face
> than anything this past summer.  We would go out a few cool evenings and
> just sit in it - reminisce about camping in New Mexico - or share a meal at
> the table.  I felt relief imagining fun times to come.
>
> During the summer I wrote for Vanagon/Westy help on this list and people
> responded generously.  I felt like I was part of a community - maybe a
> van-obsessed community - but great people, great stories and lots of
> advice.  I've enjoyed meeting a few of the listees in my area and swapping
> anecdotes.  I get the list in digest mode and I can scroll past  subjects
> that don't interest me.  I really enjoy the personal stories - I am
> thrilled about Ken's new daughter and I was relieved that Alison was OK,
> and sorry that she lost her beloved van.  I enjoyed hearing about Bill
> Dummitt's trip to Alaska and all other long vacation yarns.
>
> Chemo is over - follow up exams look good.  My future looks pretty darn
> good, and WE"RE GOING CAMPING for the first time next weekend.  I have a
> lot to be thankful for this season.  My health, my husband, my van, this
> list - to name just a few.
>
> I say don't change it.
>
> Happy Holidays to everyone.  CHERISH your health, your life, your loved
> ones.  Next time you ride in your vans, think of me in my blue beast "MO"
> (Mobile Oasis in Missouri (MO)) and the joy these machines often bring us.
>
> Melissa