Friday, April 17, 2009

My 'outer circle'

The blogosphere. It's the oddest thing- it really is. I mean there is no other way on this planet to peek into so many other people's lives. Most blogs are reassuringly mundane. They remind us that normal is normal and regardless of the economy, politics or our own personal turmoil kids will still say horribly embarrassing things at just the wrong moment and pretty much anyone can accidentally step in dog poop.

Then there are the inspirational blogs. Those created by incredibly strong people who want to share their story as it is happening. They show us the power of human spirit in the face of pain or overwhelming odds. How people can, and do, get up and keep going in situations we can't imagine for ourselves. We pray for them. We send love and sometimes money. We need to know this- to see it in action- to believe that God will give us the strength if ever we should need it. We are lifted even if we secretly believe we couldn't carry on if it was us.

But there is a third kind of story too. One we don't initially 'sign on' for but that we live through with our faraway friends through their blogs. Because every once in a while our bloggy friends will be struck by a horrible- often unforeseen- tragedy out of the clear blue. Their mundane posts about dogs eating daisies or the backaches of pregnancy are stopped dead in their tracks by a sudden illness or tragic accident. Our hearts break for these people we usually don't know and we rally around them, if only in our prayers. And we are stronger for this too because we know that today we are lucky but tomorrow it could be us. We remember to appreciate our gifts and never to take them for granted. I've had this type of 'out of the blue' tragedy and I pray that I'll never have another episode. But anything can happen and I'm occasionally in need of that reminder.

Is there a point to this babbling? I'm not sure. But one thing I can say is that I'm grateful for the blogosphere. I'm thankful that I have a place to blurt out the stuff that's sometimes too painful or personal or neurotic to tell my 'inner circle'. I realize that though this blogging I've developed an 'outer circle' of total strangers who have or may come to know me in a different but equally intimate way than my 'inner circle'. I've benefited from their encouragement when I was immobilized with fear and too scared of to reach out to my closest friends for support. And I'm grateful- eternally grateful. I only hope that I can make a worthwhile contribution back to the invisible safety net that I can now rest assured is below my daily high wire act.

19 comments:

Dutch Sugar Babe said...

Thank you for your beautiful post.

Hippomanic Jen said...

I think you've summed up the whole thing very nicely. Well done!

Gabi said...

You really did sum this up well! My husband sometimes thinks I'm nuts that I get so wrapped up in lives of those I don't "know", but it is SO great to know that everyone is out there....

Givinya De Elba said...

Great post. I think mine is more of the stepping-in-dog-poop type of blog. I feel for people whose blogs are cut short and changed suddenly by terrible accidents and things.

Hobbling In Heels said...

Love this post, again you summed it up rather nicely.. Thanks for coming over to my lonley ol' blog..NEW POST TODAY..one of those big moments I get to share with this blogosphere I am so new to ,but it really is theraputic ...SO glad to have found you..

Her Preppiness said...

What a beautiful post. You really summed up the blogging world very accurately!!!

Muffy said...

Great post! Every word is true!

Yet said...

Hey, I don't think my blog fits into any of those! REDO! hehe. j/k. I loved the read. Usually I dont finish posts so long but you kept me interested. I also like your layout. It's cute.

The Cape House said...

This is a good post and you are very accurate in your analysis. Thanks for being part of my 'outer circle.'

c said...

what an interesting take on blogging- and so true.

Givinya De Elba said...

Just reading back over some of your old comments to me, like the Happy Birthday to Sonny Ma-Jiminy on 23 March - thanks! I'm loving the blogging thing, because I get support and encouragement from lovely people who otherwise I'd NEVER get to meet!

Rue said...

How ironic that I came over here to return your visit to my bog today.... Beautifully said!! Thank you :)

rue

Rue said...

ummmm ..... that would be BLOG not bog LOLOL

Dutch Sugar Babe said...

You haven't posted lately. I hope everything is okay.

Jade Bordeaux said...

God Bless you for your blog! I quit blogging for a minute, I just had other things come up...but everytime I came back to read blogs....I heard things about people's puppies that they think are their children, or 1000 posts about wedding invitations (you know THAT dude wants to kill himself, or has a great ability to multi-task...i.e ignore and watch t.v at the same time, wile nodding in approval.)Thanks for being....a real person. Even if you are a Stepford Mom. :)

Givinya De Elba said...

Hey, just popping in: hoping that you are just taking a break from blogging and that those Stepford Moms haven't done away with you and buried you under their gardenias.

Let us know if you're okay, okay?

Allegro ma non troppo said...

Are you doing alright? I don't want to pry, but we all like you! You're fun.

We hope you haven't been killed by the stepford mommies and buried in pieces under their hydrangeas. Hope you're just busy.

Givinya De Elba said...

My crazy sister is such a copycat.

Allegro ma non troppo said...

Oops, sorry sister, I didn't see you there, what with your little widget picture changing every so often.

Well, now we know. She's NOT dead and buried.

Post a Comment