Welcome to Purr's May issue. I hope you like the content we have to offer in this issue. I have written most of the Purr's welcome messages since I joined the Purr team a year ago. I usually face the new issue with no perceived idea of what I am going to write. I generally come up with something that is inspired by the current issue's submissions or inspired by whatever seems to be going on in my life or in the lives of those around me. I may have ideas before I start reading the submissions but even then I find the submissions seem to go along with the tone of what I have in mind already. I have thought of several subjects that I want to write about as submissions myself. However, I just have not had time to do much but get the basic ideas down. I need to yet expand upon them and put the thoughts into words that you will understand. They will have to wait for future issues.

That is why I am writing this in this manor. A lot has happened with Purr since it was started almost two years ago. The zine started as a one-man production put together by Christian Hinse. Today we have a small team of four working on Purr. We have changed with each new issue. Not only with the issues' style and content, but the ways in which we work together. We have been finding those little niches to fit into, smoothing out the kinks in our working together and in exactly what and how we want to present to you, our readers. We have all been going through changes not only in our duties with Purr but also in our personal lives. Several of our contributors have been going through changes also. So, what I say also involves them.

Some have moved, some have found love, some have had near tragic experiences, some have misunderstandings, some have changed jobs, and some have become good friends. We all in some way have grown and changed even if you are readers have not noticed.

It can also be noted that even at times that have looked like some of those "darkest" moments in life, there have been positive actions and growth. They say there are silver linings in dark clouds. Sometimes it takes hitting a rough spot or tough times to get us to stop and reconsider the things that are going on around us. Sometimes we get so caught up in life, that we forget how our actions affect those around us. We get so lost in just doing that we forget to stop and think about how we are doing it or what we said or did may not come out right. Others can only take our intentions the way we present them. If we present them wrong, it is not their fault that they take them wrong.

Everyone seems to be so busy right now. It is that time of year where we finish up the stuff from last year, prepare for the coming year, and try to keep up with all that we have to do just to be current in our lives. It is spring. Even nature is preparing and going through changes.

Last year I talked about planting seeds of thought. This year my thoughts lead toward just taking stock and giving thanks. Thanks that people are who they are. They are understanding, intelligent and yet unafraid to stand up for themselves and unafraid to take the chances in life. Chances in writing, moving, trying something new and even speaking up when they are unsure of how it will be perceived. For only when we communicate can we make not only Purr but life itself better. Communication is the key. Only through communication can we work things out.

As you tie up the loose ends in your life, take a moment and look at the whole picture. Remember the good, and the bad. Look at the changes that you made. Learn from them. Now look at where you are at and where you want to go. Just make a mental note and know that even in that there will be changes. But as the changes enter into your life, do not be afraid of them. Flow with them and see what happens. If you keep an open mind and wait before jumping to conclusions, you may find that the changes are leading you to where you want to go.