Well, here we are. Our brotherhood is just over a year old. It was in late November 2008 that the brotherhood was started on Facebook. A year later, we are growing stronger, and covering issues that none of us would have believed possible in the early days.
In the past year, we had a member go to China, and have everything fall apart on him. This was the first time we had the ability to get daily reports from China, and be able to respond quickly to try to help. Sadly, Irishman was not the last person to have his trip go south on him. And more will sadly follow this route.
In the past year, we have read about brothers in China who have gone, met the love of their life, and gotten married. Rhonald, Peter, Ed, Paul, Brian and countless others have had success, and we have had the joy of reading about it.
In the past year, we have had three brothers bring their wives home to America. Arnold and Nik have waited a long time for this day to finally come for them, while Hajo did not have to wait long at all.
We have had some challenging times in this brotherhood. We have had people join who weren't what they seemed. One who mysteriously was shot and killed. We have had some brothers go through unspeakable turmoil, when their lady quit writing, because he was not tall enough. We have seen the brotherhood rally behind this same member, to try and right a wrong.
We have had fights with each other. Opinions of some members are not always well received by other members. But we are a brotherhood. Through thick and thin, through the good news and bad. Through the joy of love, to the despair of heartbreak, we are a brotherhood.
We come from all parts of the globe. It has been my honour to get to know all of you during the past year. Merry Christmas..Happy Holidays, and all the best in 2010, wherever you are in the world. I hope the next year is just as exciting here on our forum of brothers.
Martin