What does the Orchid Board mean to you?

[Stray59]

Hey everyone -
I am relatively new to the Board, but if you look at my posts, you will see I am very involved in various discussions.
I have my own reasons for turning to the Board for hours on end - and I was wondering why you spend large spans of time here!
I have various reasons I am on-Board. As I have mentioned, I am starting up a small internet orchid business in my apartment; I need all the info I can get at this point, and where better to go than the Board members for their input?
But I could find the needed info at the library. So why go to the Board? I have recently had spinal surgery and have been housebound (for 2 years) with my mildly-orchid-interested partner; I have no one to talk to that understands what I am saying. So I go to the Orchid Board.
But mainly I come to the Board for some stress-free time. I am unemployed (budget cuts); currently my mother has end-stage cancer, my father has slow growing cancer and my 96 year old grandmother (the much-loved matriarch of our family) has developed extreme delusions that upsets her and exacerbate her heart problems. My partner just had surgery and is recovering, so basically my family is keeping the area hospitals very busy. Needless to say, my personal pressure is very high right now and the Board is my neutral place - kind of like Switzerland! I have few options, besides the internet, for making contact with others to talk about something other than money, cancer or end-of-life issues. The Board gives some needed respite from the day-to-day issues I deal with.
So with that said, my reasons for Board'ing may be obvious, but in reality there are other Orchid-focused forums that I can turn to - I have followed several of them, along with the Orchid Board. I was attracted here due to the people. I really liked the supportive and friendly nature of the discourse and I was pleased with the welcome I got. I like the way the Board is set up and the accessibility it give all of the members to be able to talk to growers a half a world away in a very personal way.
I am not asking for sympathy of any sort - these factors are just a part of life and must be dealt with. But I wanted to let you know why the Board is so important to me!
Thanks Orchid Board, and all the members that make it great; you have allowed me some time to 'escape' and unless you find yourself facing similar issues, you will not know exactly what this means!!!

SO - now let's hear from others - What does the Orchid Board mean, give or offer to you?
Steve