Ten days ago a blogging friend, Starrlife at Life Decanted, wrote a post about making friends through blogging. I've read it several times, and it touches my heart every time. I know what she means. I, too, have made friends through blogging.
I have tried to explain blogging to people who do not blog. Last fall I mentioned it to the woman I see for acupuncture, and she said she'd never read a blog. I said, well, she had a lot going on in her life, while I was glad to make friends with other women online. It was an emotional disclosure. I hadn't realized how lonely I was.
Sunday a week ago I called my mother to let her know about my son's engagement. I told her that I knew she didn't read my blog, where I made the announcement, so I wanted her to hear the news from me. She said she just didn't get to the computer much. I had hoped that this space would be a way to keep in touch with family and friends, and it works some of the time with some people.
The unexpected result of writing here has been making friends with women who have been willing to share their experiences and encouragement. I can't imagine my life without these relationships. There are days when I don't talk to another person, but I can always connect with other women online. These connections have been a lifeline during a time of prolonged transition, a time of change that I didn't anticipate and haven't always handled well.
I awoke this morning to cold temperatures and a list of things that needed to get done. I started the coffee, fed the cat, and sat down at the computer. There were new comments on my latest post ~ connection, understanding, validation. I could do what I had to do. It was a new day and I was not alone.
Thank you to all who visit here. I appreciate your presence and support more than I can express.
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7 comments:
funny isn't it. A reflection of the social isolation we can feel in a staturated world perhaps. Thanks for the mention! With the snow storm here School was cancelled so I ended up bringing the girl to work, which is kind of fun, then work was cancelled/closed early so we're home, cozy watching Toy Story and playing on the computer! It supposed to get really nasty later- whew!
You know we come up to Maine most every summer,mid August, Bowdoin area. We should have lunch?!
Blogging has been a wonderful door to life and people I would have never met otherwise.
I agree! I love to think of all we share through blogging; our lives, our laughs, our hurts, our desires....and the friends we "happen upon" in the process. Really, though....I'm a firm believer that people come into our lives for a reason and these blogosphere friendships provide a very important role in whatever we are individually working on in our own lives. It's nice to be able to share even though we are miles and miles apart and would never likely meet any other way. Wow.
Great post.
Sharon, I enjoy your blog and I appreciate your comments on mine, too! I don't blogging is for everyone, but it can be a great way to connect with people.
Sharon,
I, too, have had my life enriched in countless ways through blogging (and I just started in Oct. 08). It was a delightful surprise! The wonderful women who I have found and who have found me touch my heart in ways that "in-person" friends can't. There is an unconditionality and acceptance "as we are" that feels quite profound. I appreciate you coming to my blog and I will continue to visit yours. In fact, I'm going to bookmark it right now so that I remember to stop in and visit my new friend in Maine. :-)
Blessings!
Blogging is indeed an interesting thing, when you think about it. For most of my life, I kept a handwritten journal. Now I put this stuff onto the Internet, where anyone in the entire world can read it.
I've had some good experiences and made some authentic connections via the Internet, and at the same time (especially during my forum admin days), I've also seen how brutal and downright insane it can be. Which makes it a pretty good mirror of human life in general, I guess.
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