I wanted to thank Erin and everyone who works to keep this site running for the new Random 5olos feature. Like several of us, I arrived here this year, well after this site was established and offering such great fiction. I felt a little overwhelmed at trying to catch up, given all the great writers who were here, some already with huge volumes of stories.

I posted a story/song earlier in the day which I erroneously attributed to another author. It was not my intention to publish this in any manner other than that which would reflect my source. In my haste, I published it believing I had permission to use the author's name, which I did not. It was a misunderstanding entirely due to my own error in judgment. I apologize to her and to those readers who had already commented on the piece. I have removed it of my own accord rather than leave it to stand as written. Once again, I am sorry for my haste and inaccuracy. Andrea

It is a sad fact that prostate cancer can and does affect transsexuals. My song was a lighthearted musical treatment, more as a tag along to Laika's and Kate's songs, but the risk for prostate cancer is very real. I've included a links to websites explaining the need for proper and regular screening for prostate cancer for anyone born male, including MtF transsexuals.

Addenda - Please forgive me for failing to include this; I was crying, as we often do, while I was writing it. My mother was abused as a child, and spent much of her life an angry, almost bitter woman. Her own father walked up to her and two of her four siblings when she was about eleven or twelve and said to them, "You are not my children." She married my dad after a period of rebellion, I suppose.

I don't mean to be self-aggrandizing, although growing up in an abuseful and neglectful environment probably made me the affirmation sponge I am today. Like any other author here, I look at the "My Stories" entry in the menu on the right. I love getting comments and who doesn't want to get votes; I know it does wonders for my self-esteem. Like any other series written by any other writer, I note and perfectly understand the drop-off between chapters. Initial curiosity gives ways to more interesting stories by other authors.

My sweet counselor is such a dear. With everything going on, she's been such an encouragement, and today proved to me just how much God loves me through her, through you, my dear sisters and brothers and through my new dear friends whom I treasure just as much as my characters love and accept each other. She is Jewish, which gives us a commonality with somewhat but wonderfully different perspectives while still trusting God.

I wanted to write a note of thanks to everyone here, whether writers, or readers, or kind and patient administrators and other lovely sisters (and brothers,too.) I go back to NYC on the 28th for more testing. My tremors have only abated somewhat, but my doctor assures me that much of it can be addressed with an adjustment in medication. That's the "bad" news. The GOOD news is that you have become such good friends and family to me over the past few months.

Off to NYC for consult with Neurologist and other docs for plan of treatment. Weakness in arms and shoulders along with more shaking has my wife worried. It's in God's hands, either way, but I have to admit I'm scared. Thanks for all your prayers and support. You dear ones mean the world to me. Thank you for your friendship. And a special shout out to my little sister for all her comfort over the weekend, along with my three adopted sisters as well. God bless and see you soon! 'drea

Please excuse my youthful exuberance in commenting twice on the same story; it was exquisite, though, wasn't it? Also, I added some things and edited some things in my latest chapter of Providence - The Valley to make it more cohesive and read better, I hope. My apologies to those who have already read the piece, and thank you so much for supporting me not only through my literary endeavors but my health problems as well.