Tam

: Dear Lost World Plateau Family!

: Yes, you may believe your weary eyes, I finally made it back to the LW Board and the Plateau in more or less one piece (just when you thought it was save around here!). It feels very strange to be posting here again after such a long time, but it certainly is great to be back.

: As you may or may not know by now, I was in a pretty serious accident a few weeks ago while on a business trip, which resulted in a severe concussion, cuts, bruises (no, let me correct that, my entire body was ONE single bruise!), a couple of broken rips, some internal injury and a particular, giant bruise caused by the impact of being smashed into the safety belt during the crash (do not try this at home, kids!) which looked like an enormous body painting (quite cute, actually...).

: I spent a good deal of time in the hospital and for a short time after the accident even stayed in the ICU . I guess they wanted to check my brain waves to make sure that due to the concussion I didn’t consider myself to be the reincarnation of ELVIS now (can’t imagine why, maybe the fact I kept singing “Love me tender” had something to do with it? Mmmm...).

: I won’t bore you with hospital details (“Oh no... why not?!” ;-) ), let me just say: If you ever feel like trying out what broken rips and a concussion are like, here is a little tip: ANYTHING funny from Monty Python to Sir Peter Ustinov afterwards is a big NO!NO!... Laughing hurts like sin!

: Fortunately, my hubby Stefan stayed at a hotel near the hospital and had AOL access, so he could check my E-Mail account a few times a day. What none of us had a chance to check for several weeks was the LW board, so we haven’t the slightest idea, what is going on around here. But I know, that our {{{ DARLING SANDY }}} let you know in more or less detail what happened - major bear hug to you, girl, for taking the time despite your exams!!! You are the BEST!!! Also, a big DANKESCHÖN to Michael as well for taking the time to write "German Fräulein" updates, HUGS!

: The good thing about such an incident is the fact, you remember once again the important things in life and you find you have a great family and wonderful friends. They took care of everything, and I mean EVERYTHING! Let me tell you, I feel richer than Bill Gates will ever get because of them. :)))

: (taking deep breath)... OK... how does one say THANKS when lacking for words? Well, I will try anyway: I was COMPLETELY blown away by all those many mails, greeting cards, well-wishes, prayers and thoughts that you wonderful people were kind enough to send my way. It is incredibly moving, while being in hospital, to receive so many kind letters and to know, that on the other side of the planet, there are people who are thinking of you. I will never be able to express my full gratitude towards all of you, but once again, let me thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kind thoughts, I am sure, had a major share in my speedy recovery. Once again:
: {{{ LW BOARD PLATEAU FAMILY }}} THANKS!

: I still have around 250 mails in my mail box (no, NOT all from the board, good heaven!), so answering mails will certainly take more than a while, be patient with me...

: Taking a quick look at the board threads, I am amazed just how many new faces have shown up: To each and everyone of you I, too, would like to say a belated WELCOME!, hope you like it here so far, there is a great bunch of people on this board (well, most of them anyway ;-) ) so... ENJOY!

: OK, babbled enough and I hope our dear Michael Martinez will once more forgive me for being off topic (...again! Didn’t you MISS that, luv?!). I am glad to see you all still hanging around the board and hope you are all doing well.

: A big virtual bear hug from the restored and almost as good as new German Fräulein

: Chiara

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Lost Tales From The Lost World