I do the same Sabrina because I can't personally manage the drama so I keep my distance sometimes. Having gone through it I am now very reserved with how attached I get to people here or anywhere online. I am happy when I see someone return but I am sad at the same time because I know I can't risk reaching out for fear they may leave again. I count on others here to step up when I can't because I still care and I do want them to get the support PC has to offer even if I can't overtly contribute to that support.

I will come out and share that I was suspended from PC a few years ago but was never allowed back so I was virtually banned. I had involved myself in a heated battle with another member that got way out of hand. We each had our allies and it became really ugly and hurtful. I came back about a year later determined not to let anything like that to happen again. It took me a long time before I posted and even then I was very cautious. Now I am more relaxed and open but still careful.

The point is that the drama sparked several members to announce that they were leaving PC and to point fingers in the process. Had I not been suspended I would likely have done the same because the emotions were that intense and speaking for myself... that out of control.

I think this is the kind of situation that Peg might be referring to. When people leave or threaten to leave out of hurt or anger which may in turn cause other people to feel badly for the loss or to feel the need to pick a side and join the crusade and consequently to heighten the emotions. That kind of situation isn't good for anyone.

I think the decision to ban leaving messages has effectively stopped those kinds of situations. Sometimes taking a break messages verge on crossing that same line but they don't seem to trigger the same reactions as leaving messages did in the past. They seem to be a good compromise and an effective way for people to take a break to calm down without causing any exit or re-entry drama.

I apologize if it seems I have gone off topic but I appreciate Peg for being honest about her worry. I don't support a rule about it because I think people do need to be supported no matter. At the same time I think we do need to do our best to consider how our actions impact others. Maybe I am expecting too much. Maybe I am putting unreasonable conditions down before I will freely offer support to everyone equally. Maybe I am speaking from my own fears of abandonment or my own sense of untrustworthiness. I think it may be complicated.

I do acknowledge that I am hyper-protective of myself and that this could be one of those topic that may be too close for me to be thinking too much about.

She says after overthinking it to death. oops!