A Special Thanks

[Claude J]

A Special thanks to everyone that called and emailed me over the last few months of the year to send reassuring words of encouragement and support.

I've come to realize that most of our clients are my true friends

Everyone has been very supportive and I could not cope with tragedy without you.

People I've known for years won't even return a phone call when needed
Not so in the lava community

I receive phone calls from clients and gooheads that I've known for a long time as well as ones I only communicated briefly or not at all
For this, I sincerely thank you

In case you are not a Facebook user, you would not know that there has been tragedy struck in my life

I lost my wife a few days shy of our 25-year anniversary and 3 beloved pets all raised from babies - all within the last 60 days of 2022.
Then for a Piece de 'resistance Christmas present, my Gmail and Facebook were hacked and disabeled.

Needless to say, it's been a rough time.

Much of my time immediately afterward was spent sleeping in an effort to avoid additional depression.

Nightmares still happen and will probably never go away
I write this at 5 am because yet another one

Now, I bury myself in work and projects to keep going

Words of praise for the product and the website are what keeps me going.
It's great to know we make a difference and can put a smile on people's faces while saving historic lamps. I now dedicate my daily effort to supporting my true friends, the lava community.

More changes and improvements, along with an increase in the product line, are forthcoming

Keep an eye out and register for the email list at LavaLabCreations.com

Dean Koontz has also provided support and tears at the same time

Grief can destroy you –or focus you. You can decide a relationship was all for nothing if it had to end in death, and you alone. OR you can realize that every moment of it had more meaning than you dared to recognize at the time, so much meaning it scared you, so you just lived, just took for granted the love and laughter of each day, and didn’t allow yourself to consider the sacredness of it. But when it’s over and you’re alone, you begin to see that it wasn’t just a movie and a dinner together, not just watching sunsets together, not just scrubbing a floor or washing dishes together or worrying over a high electric bill. It was everything, it was the way of life, every event and precious moment of it.

~Dean Koontz

[MacRanium]

My deepest condolences to you and yours, for what it's worth you and your company have brought me out of a major slump in my life, I've made over 15 lamps since I discovered this forum and your shop, I've rediscovered my love for lava and it's pretty much saved me from depression and mania. You've given me something to do that I love. Something that produces results that you can see and enjoy. My most prized possessions are the lamps I purchased from your collection and the grandes that I've refurbished using your products, you have no idea how much happiness these lamps bring to my life, and therefore the happiness that you've brought to my life and others as well. Keep the faith, we are all on the same journey, some of us just reach the end before others. 

[Pierluigi]

OMG Claude. 

  I know you ( and this community ) from very little time, but already have seen how warm and friendly you ( and the community ) can be.
I'm so sorry about what happened to you and can't even immagine how bad can you feel now, but you are on the right way IMHO.
Keep doing whatever makes you feel better, and thanks for everything you do for us.

Pierluigi

[Ozone Gifts]

Love ya, dude!

[LampHead]

So sorry Claude. My condolences to you. 

[Jaxpud]

So sorry for all this terrible loss in your life. I can hardly imagine the pain you must be feeling. Thanks so much for all your contributions to this tight-knit community, these kinds of niche interest forums are what made the older iterations of the internet feel so magical.

I'm sure everyone here would be more than understanding if you needed to take a break, that's allowed too you know! Also, if one day you feel ready, there are lots of kitties out there waiting to give their love. Hope it gets easier, little by little and day by day.

-J

[andy ross]

So sorry Claude, my thoughts are with you...

[Cameron Hill]

I give you my deepest condolences to you, Claude! I know I am fairly new here, but even so, you have already left a good impact on me by always being so helpful and friendly. Thank you so much for what you do for this community!

[Galaxy_9]

So very sorry for your loss. I am hoping you find peace in this very difficult time. I can only hope the light they created in your life will envelope you and comfort you every single day.

Just know that your kits brought me through a lot of difficult and uncertain times recently. Will have you in my thoughts, and wishing for brighter days ahead.

[Soylent Green]

Wow Claude, such terrible news. So sorry for your loss. Reach out if you need to talk. I'm somewhat of an insomniac myself so odd hours are ok. Stay strong.

[Mattgyver92]

Claude, I'm so sorry. You have my deepest condolence and my thanks for everything you've done and still do for this lovely little lava community on here.

[Jsmooth]

I’m so sorry for your loss Claude. My heart goes out to you in this difficult time. May you be filled with peace and comfort.

[Claude J]

Thanks for all your kind words, they help me get through each day