Its Finally Sunk In.

[bigsi]

please forward copies to: lotus, pnm, swlc, and all businesses who took part.

well its been a while coming but i have finally got to grips with everything that has happened.

i have finally read word for word every post and thread, even now it brings tears to my eyes.

in all my life i would never imagine that anything like this would happen to me or anyone else for that matter, let alone be helped by people i have never met or spoken to before. People who see the car and ask about it are gobsmacked to realise what has happened, i see the glint of happiness in thier eyes as i tell them and the amazement when they see the book of all the work.

since i got the car home its been quite literally the talk of the town and im always stopped and asked to pop the boot lid and show people the engine bay, then explain everything to them, i have to say i take great pride in this and enjoy telling it over and over again. Whenever i take the car out people stop and point, take pictures and look over the car, it gives me a great feeling of pride to own this car.

everyday when i wake up and look out of the window and see it in the drive i always have a big grin on my face, i make some tea, go outside and take the cover off and sit and stare at it for ages. It humbles me to think of what went on and the sheer amount of selflessness that everyone who worked on it offered.

reading the threads has enabled me to be a part of what has happened even though i wasnt there to work on the car myself.

when i see the sheer amount of work done by, troy and simon alone i feel privalaged to call them friends, but when other people from all accross the country travel out of their way to help then yu have to stand back take your time and try to grasp the magnitude of their generosity.

over the past 5 years inot only myself but kell also have been through so much, at 31 developing one disease is enough, then to come down with a lung disease , then other illnesses is more than anyone should have to bear in a lifetime, yet we bth fought through it and it made us better people. Many times i had to go back init hospital, many times not knowing whats going on or what they may find, more needles, tubes, scans only to be told sorry no cures and we dont know why it happens. Then new years eve came alng and that really turned our world upside down for the worst, becuase now it wasnt just me anymore i had a wife and a child to think of.

It has been the hardest fight of my life since then and we have suffered setbacks and will continure to do so for the foreseeable future.

When i got the esprit one of my dreams was realised, to finally own an exotic, classic supercar, made even better by the fact it was british and my favourite lotus. My joy turned to dissapointment due to the condition of the car but it meant i had a project to work on, something i could take pride in knowing i had worked on it to enjoy it, but once again fate conspired against us and i had the stroke. I tried my best to continue not realising the harm i was doing to myself in the process.

When the car was taken after i last collapsed i suppose it was a relief because it meant i finally had to rest, take medication and concentrate on the family.

During that period my life has changed, i finally realised what being a father meant, what being a husband meant, and how much love my family had for me.

And then theres my other family, you the people who were part of this and those who are part of this forum and community, not only you but people from accross the world, people from other car clubs, from private firms, lotus themselves. Only by reading through everything have i realised the amount of people involved in this and im astounded by it.

I dont know how i will ever be able to repay anyone of you, all i can do is make you all proud by making sure the car is always presentable and ready for show, by telling the story as many times as i can and hpefully generating more interest in the mark and the community.

kelly said smething nice when the car came home, she said i brought my smile back with me, i suppose thats true.

im proud to own this car, im proud to have so many friends, im proud of you all, you have humbled me to my heart, and its something i thank you all for everytime i see the car.

I would love to thank everyone individually but it would take forever and there would be so many people, how would i do it!!

please understand through all the hardship we have faced there area few people who will remain in our hearts forever, bibs, simon and troy, most of all i have to thank troy, for the words of comfort when things were at their worst here, i bent his ear many times when things were at their worst and i really needed someone to talk to.

talking about things isnt my strong point but after a while i was able to talk with him, i respect troy for all the time he took to listen to my moans, gripes whinges and troubles. Some times speaking till the early hours.

please do not think i think anyless of you all as i dont you all mean so much to us all here, but i have to say hand on heart thank you troy for everything you have done for us over this troubling period.

thank you all for everything you have done for us, all the support, the kind words, everything.

be proud of who you are , because i know that i am proud of you all.

thank you all for your support, we look forward to seeing you all again in the near future

love and respect

simon, kelly & cameron

Edited June 14, 2007 by bigsi

[bigsi]

i think thats covered everything!

[Tentenths]

Bloody hell man... will you please stop making me cry! :crybaby:

See you on Sunday

[Kimbers]

Can't see the keys to type. Must have some dust in my eyes.

Big man. Troys far too modest to say anything so I'll just say he's an absolute bloody gem, a true gentleman and whats more a genuine bloke and I know he'd just shrug and say "shuddup and buy me a pint!"

[wiseraven]

Flippin' 'eck Si, I'd only just put the tissues back in the cupboard!

[yeller77]

Si, Esprit is a state of mind, the ownership and driving experience being therapeutic for the soul and, by association, the body. The experience is also best shared. No one has been more deserving of that experience than yourself, with Kelly and Cam the secondary benefactors .

I am sure no one ever gave their contribution(s) a second thought.

Eric

[fmxa]

The LEF family is amazing!

[esprit350]

Simon, you mention repayment in your post, for me my contribution was minimal compared to others, but as for repayment you paid in full at Castle Combe when you saw the car for the first time, the look on you face was payment enough .

Please enjoy the car have a great day out on Sunday, sorry I cant be there but it appears to be my turn to have the car of the road..............

[superdavelotus]

Simon,

Very touching words and moving too! I was choked reading it last night and didn't really know what to say. All what I've seen recently has made me want to keep my Esprit. I'll be at SS yso I'll see you there!

Dave

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

*chokes*

See you Sunday dude!

Don't you dare do this to us all there!

[greenman]

Hi Simon, so glad to see the massive improvement in your health , for me this picture says it all,best wishes to you and family, enjoy the supercar weekend, Trev.

[John V6]

Now go out and enjoy it with Kelly & Cameron.

[esprit22]

Goes to show, it's not what you know, it's who you know that counts.

[Advantage]

You silly old sod, Si. Stop gushing and get on cleaning your car!

[Louise]

One comment I heard during the weekend from an old boy (non LEF) was 'Thats really lovely, brings your faith back into human nature..'

I've never seen so many men hugging each other!

LouX

[Katie]

That was lovely to read Simon. I'm relatively new to this place and when I read the secret thread, I was immediately moved by the sense of something incredible going on. It was a huge thrill and pleasure to be just a tiny part of it; your face and reaction upon seeing that beautiful car drive past, horn cheekily honking, I'll never forget it......damn it this place makes me cry!!

Have a fantastic drive on Sunday.

[USAndretti42]

One comment I heard during the weekend from an old boy (non LEF) was 'Thats really lovely, brings your faith back into human nature..'

I've never seen so many men hugging each other!

LouX

You obviously didn't go to pujblic school.

Si, I only wish I could have done more. What Bibs did was above and beyond what anyone could expect and then, he way Troy and Simon stepped up to the plate, was really something.

Those of us who couldn't turn up and wield spanners or polishing cloths feel a little jealous of those who drove for hours and and worked until late in the night and then, despite terrible hangovers, started again early the next morning only to drive for hours to get home in tme to freshen up and get to work. From what I've read, there was a definite team spirit staying over at Simon's house those two weeks.

What you need to remember, though, Si, is that, in my opinion, is that Bibs wouldn't have done the same for just anyone. Since you've been a member of the forum, you've contributed and contributed. Despite your health setbacks, you have always tried to help other with offers with advice or computer stuff. That so many did so much to help is a reflection of your good character.

[Artie]

Simon, I don't think for a second that anyone thought twice about throwing in some contribution to help a "brother"! Your situation makes us all realize that we are ALL mortal and no matter how much we try to do, sometimes we need some help along the way.... I would hope that if the tides were turned and any one of us were in your shoes, the same thing would happen! I've been a member of many car clubs, many car forums and many other life groups, and I've never, ever, seen a better group of individuals who make up a community that is greater than the sum of those individuals....Kudo's the the LEF and stop making me mist up Simon! Show me some pictures of those damn Zonda pedals you're making!

Artie