Tuesday, January 11, 2011

About Blogging

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A light dusting of snow coved the sidewalk as I left my home yesterday in the early morning light. In the orange cast of the streetlamp outside my home, the snow glistened like the diamond sands of a California beach. I hefted my things into the car, and at once noticed that the tiniest slivers of silver were still drifting from the heavens, like a child sprinkling glitter over a picture covered in Elmer’s glue.

As I started the ignition and shifted into reverse, it made me think of Pink’s song, “Glitter in the Air.”
I drove to work thinking about blogging.

I recalled a response I made to a fellow blogger’s comment. This particular writer answered back, and it wasn’t long before an email was exchanged several times with additions to the message over the course of two or three days.

It felt wondrously strange. In all truth, I’d never met this person before. I’d never seen them (not that I know of anyhow) not on the streets or at the local grocery. It was peculiar in a way – and yet I felt a kinship to this (and many other) people I’d never had the privilege of meeting in the real world, but instead been introduced to through the medium of blogger.

I think of this method of communication and sharing which did not exist five or ten years ago, and I see what a huge impact blogging has made on this massive world. It has made the boundaries a little bit smaller, the borders not quite as distant, and made certain individuals more personal, more real. It’s bridged a gap, allowing you passage into my little world, and a road for me into yours.

In fact, if we were to meet in some distant (or not so distant) future, I’d probably not call you stranger, but instead take you warmly by the hand as a friend I’d not seen for just a little while.

I arrived at work, stepping out of my car as the silvery glitter still drifted and tumbled lightly in the air like cotton on summer wings.

I smiled.

Thanks, Blogger.


By the way, I should probably mention that I posted today over at Four Perspectives.

26 comments:

Rachel said...

:D In Sunday School we were asked why we should read the scriptures. Particularly the New Testament. I made basically the same comment as you did in this post about blogging. People I've never met I feel like I know because I read their blogs. In a 'modern' sense. The New Testament is Jesus' blog. :D The more we read, the more we'll know Him and someday feel like we can reach out and touch His hand, not as strangers but as friends.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

I think its great when one can make that connection.. I have made a few friends where I have emailed them and had discussions over personal things that we wouldn't ordinarily share on the internet... I would love to meet the ones that I have corresponded to and like u, I would meet them w/one heck of a hug and "hi".

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

I feel the same way. I'm so glad you're in my life, even though we've never met in person.

All, hail the power of Blogger and it's writers!

BTW, I like Rachel's analogy.

Yanet of 3 Sun Kissed Boys

Connie said...

I feel the same way. There's a connection with total strangers that I have never felt before. When I finally do meet these "strangers" they seem like good friends. You, my friend, are an awesome person. It was good to meet you.
P.S. Your descriptive writing paints a beautiful picture, especially with the glitter!

Pedaling said...

so who was the blogger that day?

Love the image in this post.

Rachel's comment deserves an A.

mamahasspoken said...

totally agree!

Susan Anderson said...

Such an interesting insight from Rachel. And I love making the blogging connections, too.

I have found some true friends.

=)

Cheeseboy said...

It has been so strange how blogging has become such a part of my life this last year. Now, it is not just a forum for me to express myself creatively, but also a social outlet. It's funny though; non-bloggers just don't get it. TRying to explain blogging to a non-blogger is a challenge.

Cheeseboy said...

BTW, I have a student teacher teaching right now and that is how I can comment in the middle of the day. Lucky me. Yeah, I probably should be planning or something though...

Oilfield Trash said...

Great post.

And I agree, Rachel deserves an A.

Kristina P. said...

I have made lifelong friendships through blogging. Women who have become my dearest friends.

Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey said...

That is one of the things I love about blogging. Connecting with kindred spirits you otherwise would never ever have in your life.

Here's to blogging and bloggers who make it awesome!

msprimadonna67 said...

Well said! I find it fascinating and really exciting to be able to 'meet' so many other people through blogging.

Vanessa said...

You took the words right out of my mouth!

mCat said...

Okay, I am very slowly, and quite pathetically might I add, doing the catch up on all my favorite bloggers.

I've seen items from you in my reader for two weeks now, and I tell myself I want to come back and read them all when I really have time to read them.

You have not disappointed me. I laughed over Joey and am extremely uplifted at your post today, and your one with the sad drive home in the snow and stopping at the store.

Thanks J - you are the bomb.com!

Mama-Face said...

amen. and amen. it seems that a lot of bloggers are feeling contemplative on this subject these days. is it the new year?

beautiful imagery in describing the morning sky.

perhaps we shall run into one another at the mall. i'll try to not embarrass myself. bah. not possible.

tammy said...

I love that feeling too.

And when you and I meet, you best be giving me a hug and not just a handshake.

Mr. Hughes said...

I can't thank you enough for your inspiring posts! You truly do inspire me to be better with my students, to realize that life IS great, and that blogging is about finding others that we can share with!

Thanks Mr. Z, YOU ROCK!

TisforTonya said...

between this post and Rachel's comment above... I think I'm inspired.

blogging has definitely provided me with a whole new set of friends that I've grown to cherish!

it's amazing that those I've met in real life - 98.5% of the time are exactly what I expected :)

Stef said...

I couldn't have said it any better. There is something about writing...no inhabitions...and then having others validate and support and interact in such a personal way...it is quite amazing and wonderful!! Thanks for being one of those people. (And for introducing my family to Kids History...we have watched them a bazillion times. There is a new one FYI).

Barbaloot said...

I haven't met many blog friends in real life, but those I have (like T) have been just like I imagined and so fun to finally get to know.

Karen M. Peterson said...

I've met some incredible people because of blogging. In many cases, I've stopped referring to those people as "blog friends" and now call them, simply, friends.

Oh, and this post *almost* made me sort of miss the snow. A little. Almost.

wendy said...

"sprinkling glitter over a paper spread with elmers glue"....I like that!!!!!!
I feel the same way. I have met some wonderful people through blogging. It has broadened my knowledge of PEOPLE, and places, and feelings.
I had 5 people/blogging pals....who showed up at my son's viewing in November. I was AMAZED and 3 others who I had met before.
Now..........that speaks volumes for blogging don'cha think.

Jenny Lynn said...

blogger has been a wonderful way to connect with like minded people. I have made some good friends. It has also helped me improve my writing and help me keep a journal for my children to read later in life.

Nuttley said...

Fantastic post, TF. I will add my amen like the rest of the commenters.
I have also made really phenomenal friends through blogging that I feel really close too even though we haven't spent much actual facetime together. If people are honest in their blogging I think it allows you to know the real person inside than meeting in person actually does.

tiburon said...

I never would have met you without blogging and that would be a hole in my life.

It is a wondrous thing.

As are you.

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