Nearly two years ago, I met some gals through friends. Though I did not have much in common with the gals, I was desperately seeking a connection. I needed to make new friends. I needed to find something outside of my life as a wife and mother. However, much like one can lead a horse to water but one cannot make the horse drink, one can fill a room with gals but one cannot force a friendship.
Though I did not generate any lasting friendships with the gals, I do give them credit for the fact that I started this blog. The gals were voracious readers and writers. I found their passion for the written word infectious. My love for writing has existed as long as I can remember, but I did little to fuel my passion. As I listened to the gals discuss their fanfiction sites and stories, I decided the time had come for me to do my own writing. Enter WordPress and Lenore Diane’s Thoughts Exactly.
Though I started this blog in January 2010, I did not have more than a handful of subscribers or base of regular readers until February 2011. In March, when I gave up Facebook for Lent, I noticed my stats increased further, and I welcomed more subscribers. Within the past several months, the connection I’ve made with other bloggers is amazing.
I have surrounded myself with other writers, who motivate me through their own written words. And, much to my surprise, friendships were made. One example is my friend, L1. I don’t remember how I stumbled upon her blog. I’ve found many bloggers through WordPress’ Freshly Pressed, as well as comments left on various blogs. I don’t recall L1 being Freshly Pressed, though she is certainly worthy of the honor, nor do I recall seeing comments left by L1. So again, I am not sure how I found Havocandshine, but when I found it – I began stalking her blog regularly. (I always left a comment and noted my visit, so that makes stalking OK, right?)
Thankfully, she was receptive to my comments and stalking. She never once blocked me or threatened to block me. In fact, we exchanged emails. No longer did we need WordPress to communicate with one another; we took the friendship offline. Okay, fine. One needs to be online to access email, so technically we were online. Whatever.
One day I received an email from L1 that changed everything. She wrote, “And also… um… this is awkward… but it just seems like…well. I am really not a stalker or anything, but there are moments when I actually pick up the phone to call you. Seriously. I know. And yet, I do. Now, it should be pretty obvious that I’m no internet wiz, so I won’t be finding your pertinent info online, so rest easy, but um… well, here’s my cell – and uh… you know, if you feel like it… you could block your number or something if you want. I just uh… you know, um… call me sometime if you want… no pressure… um… yeah.”
The best part? I hate the phone. I know, hate is a very strong word. I’ll rephrase my sentiment; I loathe the phone. Any one of my friends will tell you how much I hate loathe the phone. So, when I received the email from L1 inviting me to call her, I quickly shot back a response. (For the record, on the off chance it is not obvious, L1 and I write like we speak – for better or worse.)
“Here’s the thing, L1. I hate the phone. HATE it. I love email, and when I am online, I like instant messaging – I use Yahoo! IM for work daily. Seriously, it is the way we communicate for work. I’m not kidding. HOWEVER, I will make an exception to the rule. You are welcome to call me. WELCOME to call me. Any time – though preferably before 9pm, because I am lame – tired – eating ice cream – or just lame. You may think I am kidding, too. I have a friend in Maryland – one of my best friends – she’ll call me, and I will literally say, “Laura. I’m eating ice cream. Call me tomorrow.” I suck as a friend. Thankfully, Laura laughs – and she’ll keep talking.”
Suffice it to say, L1 and I talk by phone on a weekly basis. She’s even broken my ‘no calls after 9pm’ rule, and I still accept her calls. L1 is currently in Maryland, visiting her brother who is nearing the end of his battle with Pancreatic cancer. I decided to write this post, because my heart is with L1, right now.
When I began blogging, I was writing to save myself and my marriage. I enjoy writing, and writing is a catharsis for me. The friendships I have made over the past several months is the ice cream on my cathartic cake. L1 is not the only friend I’ve made through blogging. I consider all the bloggers I read on a daily basis friends. And, as I read more of their work, and they read more of my work, I find a stronger connection with them. I am thankful for my blogging friends. Every day, I genuinely look forward to reading the words written by my friends. When a blogging friend is absent for several days, I find I miss him/her. I’ve made friends through blogging. I’ve made friends through this – an internet connection. To my blogging friends I say, “Thank you.”
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Be kind; take care of yourself and each other. And, remember to tip your bartender!
Lenore's Thoughts Exactly 
Amen, Lenore…that’s been my experience too! I’ve exchanged private e-mails with several of my blogging buddies…sometimes just with questions/comments that wouldn’t be appropriate to ask “in public.” Many of them have a standing invitation to visit whenever they’re in the area, and I have offered them accommodations at my house! I have “friended” and been friended on Facebook. I have yet to talk to a blogging buddy on the phone, but that may come…
It is truly a loving, supportive community I’ve found here, and I’m so happy to be part of it!
Wendy
It’s funny to me, Wendy. I’m not sure why, but what I read via the blogs seems more personal than Facebook, yet folks post so many personal things on Facebook. In any case, I am happy to be part of this blogging community. Thank you! ~ Lenore
Great post! I love how we got to know each other through blogs. They are such funny insights into the soul. I must note that we both wrote about how long we’ve been blogging today. Isn’t that weird?
I know, Julie! I saw your post before I published mine, and I almost said something. Great minds, eh? I’m glad to call you my blogging friend. Now please, get back to your writing. I’m waiting for more. (smile) Thank you! ~ Lenore
Thank you, Lenore! I am finding that I don’t even have to write my blog anymore, you pretty much say it for me. 😉 I could have written this same post today. I started blogging last summer, mainly so I could have another outlet beside talking my husband’s poor ear off…and he is thankful every day for my blog. Besides it’s fairly cheap and effective therapy.
Then my one faithful reader (my cousin, god love her) turned into many more and along the way I’ve come to consider many of my fellow bloggers friends. Now I look forward to reading my subscriptions every morning over coffee. Much better than sifting through my friend’s facebook statuses (yawn)!
That being said, I am putting mine on hold for awhile. Summer is coming, the kids will be home, I’ve started a part time job and am taking another online course. If the mood strikes, I may write but I think it will be good to have a break from it for awhile. I will, of course, continue to read yours. I love your writing! (I’m sure you guessed I was a big fan by now) And email me if you prefer, anytime.
I am sorry to hear your friend is having such a rough time with her brother’s illness. I’m sure having you there will help get her through it.
Noooo Darla! Say it isn’t so! I’m going to miss you!
Alas, I understand. With my 2nd part-time job picking up speed, I suspect my blogging time may become limited. (I assure you, my kids and husband hope that does not happen.) I tip my hat to you and all you are taking on for the summer. You’ve got your work cut out for you (no pun intended).
My oldest sister has been my faithful reader since day one. Thank God for families, eh?
Darla, thank you so much for following my blog. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. I’ll be emailing you throughout the summer. I want to hear about those cool nights in Maine, with the clean, crisp air. Enjoy!
~ Lenore
Will do. Of course, giving up blogging will be like giving up chocolate. Painful withdrawals are in my future. Have a great summer and I’ll keep in touch!
When people bad-mouth the internet, the poor souls are given some of my blog experience stories. I’m amazed at the connection we are given that demonstrates how we all want to just love and be loved!! Blogger Go!
Amen, Souldipper. Thanks for sharing your stories, too. ~ Lenore
Lenore you are a breath of fresh air. When I stated blogging I was hoping for the human connection but soon realized I was the odd man out in a room full of writers (and damn good ones at that). But I had a lot to get off my chest (and throw up on the floor) so kept blogging. Then your flower appeared. What’s this someone new??? Not a spam? A woman? Cool.
I don’t know how this blogging thing will evolve for me as at this point there are a fair number of home town buddies that are reading my blog and I can’t talk honestly (re:trash) anymore. It has been an honor to read your posts.
You rock girl.
GMom, let me say out of the gate: I miss your posts!! You are one of the many lights within my world of blogging. I genuinely hope all is well with you. You are notably absent.
Thank you for your kind words. This blog is truly therapy for me. I’m not always upbeat and funny, but I do better when I release the crazy. Thank you for sticking with me.
~ Lenore
always
Great post. It’s interesting to find who you will connect with. I visit so many blogs and when you learn the details and stories of so many lives you are bound to find a few who you really connect with.
Thanks, Paul. At the risk of being redundant, I truly appreciate your visits and comments to this here ‘hood. It’s a pleasure getting to know you through your blog. Though really, I find my interest is more drawn to Todd. Oh Todd. ~ Lenore
Aw…hush your mouth, L2! Ain’t we done been cryin enough already?
thank you, my friend. My oddly found bud who found my very unpublished writing…go figure, right?
But, um…how much of your day went into the lego thing? I’m just asking…you know I live in a glass house in that department.
xhxhL1
Honest to goodness, the Lego photo shoot (yes, I’m pretending it was a professional photo shoot) took about 30 minutes. Dare I say this … working with the little people can prove challenging from a focal standpoint. Too close, and you lose the scenery. Too far, and you can’t see their facial expressions. The facial expressions of the Lego people (a more politically correct reference than little people) are quite – well, expressive. The ‘grrrr’ expression of the criminal. And the… well, Okay, really it is just the ‘grrr….’ of the criminal.
I’m sorry – what was the question? Right. Yeah, about 30 minutes.
Hug, hug –
L2
I’ve read your recent posts and find so many parallels. I guess it’s about time I comment since probably reading without commenting would be closer to stalking. Here I am looking forward to reading more and commenting. eh-hem
PS in reaction to your crankiness post…I’m totally bent out of shape, disoriented and trying to keep a grip. I hope my blogging friends don’t think I’m asleep on the job…the fact is a horrible, terrible, nasty, malicious, no good virus hi-jacked my computer and then my laptop and for a week I can only comment as my husband vacates his chair…delicate sigh! but AARGH! in my heart. Thanks for listening.
Aaah stalking. Social media encourages it, don’t you think? Seems true scary stalkers are falling to the wayside, because the world is inundated with nice stalkers. 🙂 Welcome to my blog, Georgette. You are with good company, I assure you. Vent as often as you need. May your computer and laptop be healed sooner rather than later. 🙂 ~ Lenore