Chad, the was so very well-put.
....and, so true.
I, too felt I was the "only one". I joined the VCCC at the suggestion of Micheal Pletcher. I've made life-long friendships, am most welcome now in North canton, where I return yearly.
I've heard stories about several former members of the club, some, I've never met. Good thing I have broad shoulders, because I've found myself to be the topic of many conversations that have not been very nice. I can handle all of that. Not being on Facebook, I can't engage, etc. However, many people close to me ARE on and have sent me numerous printed pages of "rubbish". Again, I sleep just fine at night. There are some who were members, participated in the activities, enjoyed the "banquets/dinners, parties, luncheons", etc. Yet, in here, they bash all of that. I'm not going to dig up anything, especially when it happened BEFORE me, and didn't involve me. Yet, some cannot seem to let go, move on, and not say harsh, nasty, sometimes untrue things about us, the conventions. Some people have left on their own....... some were made to leave, banned, etc, but those details never come up. Some people must have terrible demons to fight. A whole different story.
We love to meet at the conventions, share info, ideas, see a new part of the country, buy, sell, trade vacuums, bags, tools, etc.
Someone will ALWAYS collect vacuums.. although the styles may change.
The VCCC is alive, well, and kicking. We will convene in Tulsa thus year. We will meet, laugh, learn, buy, sell, trade, and ENJOY, SAVOR the company of our like-minded individuals. We'll also get odd looks from some,. We might even get nasty, threatening letters, emails, Facebook comments.
Taking the high road, I'll just enjoy the convention and the people who'll be there. It's therapeutic, relaxing, exciting,and fun, all at the same time.
I'll never be bullied, shamed, etc. again. Those days are long over.
So, if you are a member, care to come to the convention, great. If you can't come, enjoy it from home by our posts. Other than that, I have nothing else to say .
I am who I am, do what I do, like the only brand for me, associate with people who make me happy. The rest, well.....................
So, thanks, Chad, for letting me "tag on" to your very well-put statements.
Now, let's all get out a fresh, new "genuine" bag, and enjoy our vacs.
