Invisible Threads That Bring Us Together
by Maeve
eBay Staff Member

Herman Melville once wrote, “We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results.”

One of the most consistent traits I've noticed in our Community is the great care and affection people show for one another. Over the last year, in addition to helping each other with tips and advice about succeeding on eBay, members frequently helped each other in their personal lives. The unprecedented hurricanes in Florida brought out the best in people, as members from across the country reached out to assist those who were affected. Families and friends of servicemen and women in Iraq found comfort from other members as they expressed their fears about loved ones. People even answered questions about raising children, taking care of a sick pet, and a myriad of other topics that bonded us together.

As we head toward the holiday season and the closing of this eventful year, it is timely to reflect on what eBay means as a Community. Our Community Values are alive and well. I hope you enjoy reading this sampling of posts from various threads on the Discussion Boards. Each post illustrates how our Community shares experiences and participates in each other's joys and sorrows – the “invisible threads” that bind us all together.

“I thought that I needed a new camera also. The good advice on this board sent me to the link below and it made all the difference in the world: http://www.bulls2.com/indexb/lightinghelpfortakingpictures.html.”
travelinvan

”We have found success with selling items that give folks back a part of their childhood, or at least a memory of it. Fond memories are something that most everyone shares. Most such memories are sparked by familiar objects or surroundings. This simple formula can still work here on the new-and-improved eBay. In the antique and collectible end of this market it's important to look outside one's own experiences. Not everyone played with the same toys or were served dinner off the same dishes. Some ate off Nippon, some off Russel Wright; still others ate off of Melmac. All of these can and do hold memories...even Mikasa.”
stars1955

“GOOD MORNING EVERYBUDDY. Special thoughts going out to our misty angel who's saying farewell to her son today as he heads off to Iraq.”
lils.stuff

“Ok, ya'll, I need to get this said and get it out of the way. Ya'll know me...I can't hold things inside. We just found out that our son got called up. I'm still kind of in shock (probably because I was in denial about him going. He's Army). He'll be in Ft. Campbell, KY by January 3. And will be shipped out from there on January 31. Looks like Iraq.”
kritterluver

“I cannot put myself in yours shoes Kritter, but I can understand a little of what it is. My neighbor just across the road is on his second tour over there. I think he was supposed to get back this week. Each day as I walk past his house I think of him being there.”
ffutsndoow

“Many thanks to all of you who emailed me before Hurricane Ivan hit with your concerns and prayers. We are OKAY, and so is Hart Cottage.”
hcquilts

“I am very happy you are safe and sound. It is very worrying for us up north with relatives and friends in Florida. My mom is in Florida and refused to come up here. Welcome back! You were greatly missed!!”
hm2100blue

“Requesting the urgent assistance and help from ALL PowerSellers in helping the victims of the recent devastating hurricane in Florida. Please read the following post from our member organizing this and send what you can. This is an opportunity for all PowerSellers to make a meaningful contribution to a community devastated and looking at yet another hurricane. Let's do something about this. There are people in Florida who have been wearing the same underwear for a week and that's the least of their problems. This is an opportunity for us all to come together as one.”
espressoguy100

“It is tough for the Florida friends. Wait as long as you can – they probably are in the mode that eBay is the last thing they need to worry about. I'll pay the Final Value Fee if they don't contact you. I say let it go.”
treasurecam

“I just wanted to thank all of you for your kind words and thoughts regarding Rusty, the horse we rescued three months ago. I'm sad to say that we helped him get to Rainbow Bridge Thursday morning. He was doing very, very well and then started with mild lameness last week in one leg. We found him down in the pasture Monday night and had to help him get up. We called the vet out Tuesday morning, because he was showing signs of neurological damage. She thought he had damaged his spine when he fell. He was doing better Wednesday during the day but went downhill fast Wednesday night. When he went down at 1:00 AM, I knew he would never get up again. I stayed with him most of the night and called the vet out at sunbreak.”
dankn