Emerald,

I'm also currently beginning a new relationship with a woman I met in
August, this is the first time where I feel it's serious and I'm not
going to joke around or rush things, let things happen as they happen.
If nothing happens, it doesn't mean that you're a bad person or the guy
is a bad guy, all it means that there's somebody else for you.  Tomorrow
being the 2nd anniversary of 9/11 I think one of the most important
lessons I learned on that day.  Life is too short and unfortunately some
people even make it shorter because of acts, however the most important
thing we can do is basically enjoy every day we're here and surrounded
by friends like your new boyfriend.  If it doesn't work and you decide
to break up, you will hopefully have some happy memories of times with
him.  To me memories count greater than anything else, especially when
we don't know what even a hour holds.  Think of the people that left
their houses on the morning of September 11, 2001, that was the last
time they were home.  That's why we should try to enjoy every moment
we're here.  Yes, there's going to be bad moments (everybody has them),
but at least we're here.

Thanks,
Anthony

Visit me at http://www.anthonyarnold.net/

-----Original Message-----
From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Emerald White
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 3:48 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Thanks!

Hi guys!!

Thanks for all of the wonderful responses to my post.  Contrary to what
people seem to think, I am not dating him to change him.. I am dating
him
because I really truly love the way his mind works.  We have some of the
most deep conversations, and fun evenings at the beach together.  He's
kissable and fun and a great person to hang around with.  My only real
problem is that he doesn't think he deserves happiness.  He's been
conditioned to think that way by the way people have treated him all his
life.  When we spend time together, we're both really happy... all
laughing
and giggling and stuff...  It's not that he mopes about things, however,
he
does make certain references to his not being important..

I want to tell him he's important.. but I know that deep down I can't be
the one to tell him.  He's got to realize for himself that he's a
wonderful
person.

So as his girlfriend, what I plan to do is to be there for him, have a
great time with him and take our relationship nice and slow.  He's still
unsure of himself, and because I like him so much.. I don't want to push
things on him too fast.

We're still young yet.  He's 21 and I'm 23... so there's no rush for
anything.  I feel so comfortable with him.. It's amazing.. :)

Thanks again for your support... These posts have really helped me! :)