This time of year many of us will spend surrounded by family and loved ones... hearts filled with warmth and laughter. While others will wander the streets in solitude, a dull ache filling their soul as their echoing footsteps ring out in lonliness. And for a few... it is just another time of year.   This time of year... In the north there will be Masters who will venture off into the woods to find that perfect Yule log. Elsewhere a slave is putting together a tiny silver artifical tree to use as a centerpiece upon her coffee table. Somewhere else a Man will climb a mountain... to return to nature and meditate. In the southern hemisphere a group of Masters and slaves will meet on the beach before wandering over to the corner lot to buy a fir tree. And at the same moment another Gorean family will be lighting a candle to celebrate Channukah. All around the world, food and beverage will flow freely. This is the time of year that many take time to reflect upon the past, then look forward to take stock of the future. It is the time of year which resolutions are made, based upon bittersweet experiences, in hopes that we will have a better future. It is a time to celebrate the end and the beginning. When she looks back upon this past year, she thinks of those who have enriched her. The friendships which have been forged which will be with her for the rest of her life. Masters and slaves that she has grown to admire and respect and in some cases, to love. So often she has heard how harsh online Gor is, but when she sees Gor, she sees those who have helped her in so many different ways, by sharing their knowledge, laughter and affection. she also looks upon the hard lessons as gifts. These experiences have altered her and her perceptions, she believes, in a very positive fashion. For her, this is the time of year to give thanks. There are four Men who have greatly influenced her life that she would like to thank. Because of the consistency in their actions, they possess her total trust. They have tolerated her incessant questions and she has learned so much from each of them. They have taken time to see who she is and to understand her. Each have slapped her down hard on many occasions. They did this because they had expectations that they knew she could meet and would not accept mediocrity from her... and perhaps they chose to because they may care a bit for this girl. Never have they condemned her to failure when she erred. And she has made many mistakes. she has been sternly punished for her actions. During these times, she thought her heart would break, because she had displeased them. On occasion, they have chosen to help pull her back on her feet when she has fallen. Sometimes with amazing gentleness, while other times yanking her up by the hair on her head. she does not view any of their actions being harsh or cruel... in fact, just the opposite. she interprets their actions of those who care enough about a girl to correct her in an effort to improve her and to further her along her journey. she holds these Masters in the highest regard and adores them. In addition to these Men, there are the Masters, who without their effort, she is not so certain there would be a Gor. Certainly, not the one that now exists. she cannot adequately articulate her gratitude to these Men who have selflessly worked toward educating Master and slave alike. Who have fought diligently in preserving the integrity and purity of the philosophy and were the founders of the irc online community... and sadly, most of these Men voices are now silent. One of her great joys online is that she is able to move amongst a large group of unique, diverse females whose needs are very similar to her own. she is so thankful that they are here, sharing their experiences in hopes that it will aid all of us on our common path. Like many who first come to Gor, she would use the word sis or sisters quite freely, thinking that we were sisters in our bondage. Which technically is true. However, a very special slave taught her the true meaning of sister. No longer does she use the word sister to refer to the general slave populace. That word is reserved for a special few. They are much more than friends. We are bound together, not just by the path that we share, but also through love, friendship, dedication, implicit trust and total comittment to the well being of each other. It is an equal and balanced relationship. And it is forever. Life is never easy. It wasn't before we discovered this place we call Gor and it still isn't now that we are here. In her eyes, Gor is not a place, it is a state of mind. What makes online Gor worthwhile, is that here we are surrounded by those who hold the same basic principles and ideals. We no longer walk alone. There can be no future without a past. And when she looks back at her past then turns to gaze at the future she sees one Man. He has been a never waivering influence upon this slave during her time on IRC Gor ... the one who now owns her, Master Ares^. Some say Masters do not give. This one humbly disagrees. her Master bestows the greatest gift of all... his time. Each second he allows her to be in his presence, is a treasured gift. And she is so very thankful. she is so grateful that he allows her to serve him and to love him. As she looks back upon this year, she sees that she has been truly blessed. she wishes each of you a most magical time during this special season.   belle{A^}