We're Now Part of a New Team

This weekend something special happened. John accepted us as one of his fellow award- GIVER panel members.  We hold John in high regard and spend so much of our free time reading journals, we volunteered. We are hoping the match up of John, Berly, Bill, Crystal and us will prove to be a positive equation in promoting journal awareness within the journal community.

We received the Excellence Award for Journaling on September 24th, 2003.  John has given almost 50 awards since he began the program. I know that he had it in his heart all along to honor and give respect to people and their writing. John has contributed more than most, and in return earned the respect of the community due to his kindness, sincerity, and generosity of time.

I believe John's recognitions came before AOL had changed their recognition program. Through a slight on AOL's part, Journal-people grew to be a stronger community who moved forward again by honoring their peers in giving the first AOL Journal Awards presented on November 9th, 2003. Now, there is to be a second AOL Journal Award presentation.  

Between these events and a few other such as Frank having created the Journal Enquirer, then having passed and the tragedy that Mary faced in the loss of her home ... These factors helped to draw people together.

From the Beta-testing days in July to the present time the community continues to progress.  At this time, a half year later, there seems to be a new surge of people interested in not only the journaling, but in the community experience.

Being in a community will mean people taking time to get to know one another.  Don't wait for someone to come to you, go out and meet the neighbors.  They'll be your best supports.  I feel at least for me, this is the right thing to be doing.  Thanks John G. once again for this opportunity to take part in something larger than just us.  And, active journaling to all new and old!