04-21-02

Dear Friends,

My, I have enjoyed this forum! I have learned a lot about you and not just about the Osmonds. (They have web pages for that.) I am pleased that those who are in need of a listening ear or desire a shoulder to lean on, cry on, or to be included in a prayer will come here for friends and support.

We are in the process of publishing some guidelines for the forums that we all need to follow. Not to be restrictive or to limit one's expressions . . . but, to find a safe place to "talk" with friends and strengthen families. The world has plenty of that other stuff. This forum is NOT for the Osmonds but for friends and those looking for some. Please continue to express yourselves. We all can say things we want to say without offending others and we may not always agree, but be kind. My father-in-law shared some good advice with me several years ago. He said, "If it stinks . . . don't stir it!" None of us are perfect. We all have challenges and sometimes it is good to talk and get it off our chests. I tell my sons that I had never been a Father before . . . and that I would probably raise them a little differently now than then. We all learn as we go.

Terri Priest left a good thread on her comments. I liked what she said and agree. We have had some wonderful people work with our Network who are no longer here. They are gone or left for individual reasons. We wish any and all of them who now have their own web sites much success and ask them to also be just a friend when visiting this and all Osmond Network forums.

I am excited to be with Montel Williams this Friday (04-26-02) on Larry King Live show. We both have Multiple Sclerosis as a common challenge. I look forward to meeting him. If you get to see it, let me know if we did well or not. Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts for me and my Mother. I know they work! I'll have an update on my mother soon.

Thanks Friends,
Alan