Yes, but Nic I think that what was lost was the fact that it never was the fans against Darren. And it saddens me to know that the underlying support and acceptance was somehow lost in all the other noise.

You see, I've been sort of mulling this over all day .......... and while I know what Steen meant in her post, I also feel compelled to say that I never did lose my unwavering support of Darren or of the music. Granted other parts of the picture DID shift, and perhaps that's why the support seemed to shift too. But the same strong support that I demonstrated at previous times never changed or lessened.

I also know the same was true for other fans that I talked with. These are the fans who ended up over at the SG fan board (Steen is one, and I hope she doesn't mind my singling her out), and it probably includes many who post here. The thing is that I didn't chat with Kat or those of you who had similar clashes with me, but I have the strong sense that you and she will likely agree with what I'm about to say.......

Yes, there was a lot of misunderstandings about the split and a lot of hurt and even anger about how it was handled. BUT I also know that there was always a strong core of support for Darren and his music.

If people hadn't cared about Darren, then they wouldn't have been so hurt by how things were handled. I just wish in retrospect that had been better understood by all involved at the time.

But then, call me weird, but I have always believed that it is perfectly possible to accept, support and love someone .... yes, unconditionally accept and love ...... and at the same time dislike or disapprove of something they might do or say. I can be flat out furious at someone, but that never changes my feelings toward them.

So if Darren was looking to his fans for a sort of love and acceptance, he only had to see what was right there. Nothing was wanted in return. Nothing was expected or asked. But I know it was there. Even when things seemed at their worst.