Amazing gifts I received from some of the IHD members. I am speechless.

[Epoman]

To all members please take the time to read this thread as it means so much to me.

As I mentioned in this thread: http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=2058.0 The thread about Epoman and Goofynina meeting.

Here is a quote from that thread:

Goofynina also came to visit me to bring me a very special gift from another member, but it is so special I will save it for a thread of it's own. Because I believe it deserves it's own thread. That thread will be coming soon. Keep an eye out for it. It LITERALLY BLEW ME AWAY!

I finally had the time to sit down and create this post. When goofynina came to visit she brought two very special gifts for me. She brought a framed poem and a plaque. Before she gave then to me, she said a few words about what I and the site mean to her and it was very touching.

First let be tell you about the poem.

The poem was a gift from Sluff and goofynina, the poem was written by Sluff and goofynina put it in a beautiful frame and had it matted, and had the poem printed on some beautiful paper as well. Here is a picture of the "Framed Poem"

As you can see the poem is very special to me and I want to thank Sluff and Goofynina for thinking highly enough of me to present it to me.

Here is the poem in case you can't read it from the pictures:

Bill, you have touched so many lives
You are the reason some survive
You are the king of website cognition
And it's time to pay some recognition
It's not just the website I'm talking about
It's your unselfish devotion day in and day out
When your guts are upturned
And your feeling concerned
You somehow draw strength
Keeping others at length
Behind the scenes
Websites, are running through your veins
Your respected more than you'll ever know
This poem and plaque we are proud to bestow
Accept this gift, humbly with pride
Draw strength to make new strides
Decisions you've made we must all agree
Thanks from your family at IHD

With much respect,
Sluff
December 25th, 2006

[/i]

I felt so honored to be given that. It makes all the work I have put into IHD worth it. It gives me the will to make IHD even better than it is. I thought my day couldn't get any better when, I was given something that shocked the HELL out of me.

Now let me tell you about the Plaque.

Goofynina handed me this box, and I opened it and couldn't believe it. It was a plaque on a wooden base with gold lettering. Here is a pic:

It seems Sluff went around and collected money for this plaque to be presented to me. From what I understand it was a last minute thing so he didn't get a chance to ask everyone. Here are the names of the contributors on the plaque:

LifeOnHold
Goofynina
Rerun
Bajanne2000
Sluff
Vandie
Angie
Sandman
Okarol
JoePaul
Charee
Black
Angela515
Jbeany
Meadowlandsnj

[/i]

I was very touched, and was very happy that Sluff added "LifeOnHold" to the list, as you may know she was our first member we lost to this disease and when I first started this site it was just her and I posting, talking back and forth to each other. I remember telling her don't worry the site is going take off and it will be the best, just give it time.

I love how Sluff had the IHD logo added to the plaque. The picture does not do the plaque justice, it is amazing in person, it is all done in gold lettering and it just looks amazing. I will ALWAYS have these two items (poem and plaque) by my desk to draw inspiration from.

I have put so many hours and many sleepless nights working on the IHD family of sites and I know many of you appreciate my hard work, but when I get gifts like these, it really shows me that some of you really understand my dedication to this site and all the sites in the IHD family.

I will never forget what goofynina and Sluff went through to get these items to me. For that I am forever grateful. And special thanks to all that contributed monetarily to help sluff pay for the plaque.

- Epoman
Owner/Admin

[susie q]

Very , very nice Epoman... what a wonderful gift..
You really are appreciated more than you know.. 

[glitter]

I know we don't post much-but this site has meant a lot to me as well....thankyou for your dedication-I am glad you are being recognized.!!

[anja]

Epoman, the poem and plaque express my feelings also, you have done a wonderful thing for so many, and will continue to amaze and lead us!  Thank you just doesn't seem to be enough... You are so very appreciated!!!  Happy holidays to you and your super Epowife and Epokid , you all deserve the best life has to offer!

[devlinswife]

I am in tears, those were 2 very beautiful and heartfelt gifts. It's very nice to see how much people on this site really do care about each other.

[tamara]

You Are Appreciated and I'm sure If more would have known about the plaque,including myself,  it would have been so big there would have been no way you could have held it!

Merry Xmas Epofamily!

[Sluff]

Just so everyone knows there was no reason to not include any particular member. It was a late idea and I had to get it to the engravers by a certain date to get it shipped in time to pull this off.

My only regret is I didn't think of this early enough to include all those that would have wanted to contribute.As it was I had to send it two day air.

Please except my apology,  it would have been nice to have more names on the placque.

One last note: Thankyou Goodynina for the beautiful addition to the poem, without your touch, the choice of paper, frame, matting ,and the choice of font, it would only be words on paper. You have a way of making everyone you come into contact with feel better about themselves.

And just for those of you that wonder at the spelling of goodyninas name it is intentional. It was a misspelling on the plaque proof. And I can't help myself, because she will always be Goodynina to me.

[Hawkeye]

I think both of these gifts are absolutely wonderful, and truly represents how all the members here feel about our great leader.    It was a truly touching sentiment and I applaud Goofynina and Sluff for their dedication.   

[Bette]

I am in tears.  The gifts are wonderful, and they express what you mean to me as a member of this community.  I don't post a lot, but I visit everyday, and this website has helped me through a very tough time.  Thank you so much Epoman.  You have made a big difference to so many lives.

[nextnoel]

I actually got tears in my eyes when I read the poem and plaque - and I tend to be 'a tough broad'!  The sentiments portrayed are exactly in line with my own, and Epoman (and the all-star Supporting Cast of Epokid and Epowife), you have my greatest respect and thanks for doing so much for all of us.  Believe me, life wouldn't be the same without you!

Sluff and Goofynina, you guys are amazing!  You really do make us proud! :

[Bajanne]

I am almost unable to type this.  Of course, I knew there was going to be a plaque, but I didn't know it would be like that.  And the thought of including LifeOnHold just has me in tears which I can't stop.  Sluff and Goofynina, I love you guys!  Thank you for including me. Epoman, this is just to let you know how we feel about you.  Even when we might not be doing all we should, please know always that this site (and your selfless work on it) has been a significant tool in our war against this awful challenge of renal failure.

[mallory]

Goofynina and Sluff, that was very thoughtful, good work! 

Epoman, you truly are appreciated more than you know.  I can't imagine going through dialysis without this site.  I would be so alone.  But, because of you, we all have each other.

I hope you, Epowife and the awesome Epokid have the very best Christmas ever and the merriest of New Year's!

[Sara]

What nice gifts!   

[Ohio Buckeye]

Wonderful!!!!!!!!
You are so deserving of it.
You have made such a huge difference in our lives.
An inspiration to us all.

[goofynina]

Believe me, it was all my pleasure.  And i would do it all again if i had the chance.  It truly was an awesome time. 

[paris]

How fortunate we all are that Epoman created a place for us to come together.  Thank you to Epoman, thanks to Goofynina and Sluff for expressing everyones feeling so well.   

[Sluff]

Gotta love it here I know I do.

[angieskidney]

You guys put so much effort and work in that plaque and it is absolutely beautiful! 

[Sluff]

This is such an amazing community. I just needed to bring out the white kidney so everyone can reflect on the end of 2006 and so the new members can see what a tight knit family we have here at IHD.

[Sluff]

One more time for the newbies...

[Sluff]

I was reflecting on the past a little today and as I looked through this thread I realized once again how proud I am of the fact that we were able to let Epoman know how much the members appreciate this site. Not realizing that Epoman would soon after, leave us. The fact that he did leave us so soon and unexpectedly impacts the greatness of these gifts even more.

[okarol]

You're right Sluff. The opportunity to acknowledge Epoman's achievement was timed amazingly well.
We didn't know how soon it would be before he would be gone.
It reminds me that we have to show others how much we appreciate them, and love them.
I love you Sluff! 

[Sluff]

You're right Sluff. The opportunity to acknowledge Epoman's achievement was timed amazingly well.
We didn't know how soon it would be before he would be gone.
It reminds me that we have to show others how much we appreciate them, and love them.
I love you Sluff! 

Okarol I love you too, you are an amazing individual.

[Amanda From OZ]

Bill was an amazing man..... I'm glad he new how much he has done for all of us.

Amanda
xxoo

[rose1999]

I've just found this thread.  I didn't 'know' Epoman as, sadly he had left you before I joined.  Reading your plaque and poem and seeing the pics of him really brought it home to me, he was a young guy (I'd pictured an elderly man for some reason!) with a young child, and he was so obviously deeply loved by you all.  How wonderful that you had the chance to TELL him that, all too often we don't tell people that we love them and when it's too late we wish we had.  He was obviously proud of what he had done with this site (and rightly so) and proud of you all.  What fantastic people you all are, thank you for letting me share your lives.
with my love
Rose