Greetings Dads,

Yes, Smokey has finally pulled his sorry butt out of lethargy to at least reintroduce himself to the site. It's the least I can do since David has featured me and the bug on the homepage...

Those of you who have been around for awhile know that I've been darn close to an original member here for three and a half years... LOL... hell, when I joined the MSN group I think there were 40 members... when we closed that one down I believe we were well over one thousand... I think that speaks volumes about the worth of this cyber home that was my dear, spiritual brother David's brainchild....

Course, I only have the one kid (ahem... the best kid ever, btw) and she is spreading her wings and flying as she enters her sophomore year of college... I feel almost redundant these days, except when she needs some cash... LOL...

This place and the other place has been a source of incredible joy for me... and a way of finding some of the best friends and men in the world... for those who may be new, trust that David, Marcel, Vincent, Wayne and Bill are the best guys ever ... and the finest fathers I have been privileged to know... not to forget UKcanuck, Jorge, Mickey... so many others... please don't be offended if I forgot ya!!!!

I've been very, very quiet around here for nearly a year... but part of my getting on with my life needs to be reconnecting with this group of men whom I admire beyond anything on the face of this planet.

There's a guy from Baltimore who posted recently... and his story sounded so familiar, yet with his own specific issues.... gonna try to find it and respond, but if I don't get the chance? Take care, my friend... put your children first, though not at the expense of losing your rights. Fight to be a good father to them (as I'm sure you will) and know that you have a passel o' guys around here to support you every step of the way....

Aside to David... I do miss Dennis... I hope the newbies will go to the old site and look at his tribute....

All the best to you, the best of fathers,

Smokey

So as not to confuse people.. I don't have a split personality.. I used to be Mickee, but now am "The Great and All Powerful Wizard of 'OZ'"... hehe

As I have said in the past, this group has helped me get through some of the toughest times in my life. Just knowing that I can bounce problems, ideas, etc off so many people committed to the same values, the name says it all:

Gay Fatherhood. .

Thanks Guys for 'being there for me.

Hugs!

Hi Smokey,

I am so heart warmingly happy to see you post, I only know a little of the pain you have endured this past 10 months or so and have felt powerless and impotent to help you. You were a tower of strength, good advice and a true honest reality check for many (me included) in the old msn group which you, David, and Dennis so kindly asked me to play my part in. I trust the man I met just over a year ago at David's has found the strength now to emerge from the pain of the past to share your love and wisdom again, to help us all be better father figures, love those we choose as our family and demonstrate the absolute certainty of the fact that gay men like you are the most wonderful fathers and friends.

Know that I have thought of you and the bug so very often and cherish that short time we had to meet when I had the chance to look in to those wonderful eyes of yours and know a good man with a huge heart.

Vincent...xox

Aw, Smokey... I wanted to respond this morning, but I was still just a bit overcome. The joy of once again reading posts by you nearly brought me to tears last night. I'm so incredibly happy to read your words here again. It makes the place feel more like home to have my big brother, my "brain" back in action. You helped make this place the beautiful oasis of wisdom, support and encouragement that it is. For both what you've done here at GF and what you've done for me in my own life, I am unspeakably grateful.

Now, why the hell don't we have a hug icon here? Oh, I guess this will come close to how reading your words makes me feel, bro...

Awwww... stop, youse guys... I've never been any smarter than anyone else, and often live up to the "blond" thing with almost frightening regularity.. LOL ... but we all know how lovely it is to find people we can complain to, cry to, and sometimes just vent like crazy who really understand what we're going through!!!!

Vincey, I too cherish the brief opportunity we had last year to meet... your lovely soul, contagious grin, and some pretty amazing blue eyes, to boot... Hope all is well with David and Conor and yourself... yes, I read the wicked witch posts... hope things are better on that front... sigh...

My David, my brother, my brain... many would have given up on me or asked me to step aside... I thank you for being patient with me, cuz you know how much I love this place, even when I'm silent... I can't wait for your surgery... hee hee... okay, I confess, I love having an excuse to visit you... you don't really have to go to such lengths though...

As for you, the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz... funny, I've spent the last two plus months playing that role at the theatre I've gone back to working at.. but I promise to give it back to you after we close tomorrow night... LOL...

All the best to the best,

Smokey

Hello Smokey

Glad to see a post from you again. I was wondering where some of the "regulars" at the MSN group disappeared to. Slowly, but surely, y'all are coming back here

Glad that things are going well with you and your family. Daughter off to college, huh??... Whoa!! Where has the time gone to? Are you going to cope? I can't even begin to imagine what that is going to be like when mine start spreading their wings.... (hmmm... shall I start planning that cruise around the world??!) Just kidding.

Good to hear from you again

cheers

Jorge & Co
Belgium

quote:

Originally posted by Smokey:
Greetings Dads,

Yes, Smokey has finally pulled his sorry butt out of lethargy to at least reintroduce himself to the site. It's the least I can do since David has featured me and the bug on the homepage...

Hey Smokey! Glad to read your posts again!