Blogland

Blogland is a funny world--a true community in the sense of being a place where friends, both real-life friends and "in the computer" friends, can share joys, sorrows, triumphs, defeats, laughs, cries, and all the rest of the multitude of emotions and happenings that comprise life. Whenever I take the time to check in with those blogs I follow, I can always find something to make me smile...and something that makes my heart ache.

Recently, for example, I read about a miscarriage here and here...and my heart wept. Then I read about a new baby here...and my heart rejoiced. Then I read a profound column about "Glass Balls" (scroll down in the sidebar) here...and my heart pondered. Then I watched a video clip here...and my heart sang.

Doing this blog has been one of the genuine joys of my life this past year, and I've been amazed at how many new friends and kindred spirits I've run across through this blogging connection, as well as how many old friends I've reconnected with in this way. When I started my blog, I didn't know ANYONE (except Jeff, and his blogging was a bit sporadic!) who was blogging. I read the blogs of other women that I didn't know personally, and was very inspired by what I read (inspired enough to try it out anyway!). But none of my friends were blogging...or if they were, I didn't know it! Now it's so much fun to look down my list of links and see who has a blog and be able to peek inside their lives and actually grow and cultivate our friendship in this way.

I'm obviously at the season of life where I don't have much time to run into town and join a friend for a cup of coffee...or go out with a group of women and see the latest romantic movie...or have someone over for hours and hours of uninterrupted conversation. So I'm especially grateful for the connection I can have through the computer. It may not be the same as face-to-face sharing, but it's a very helpful substitute during this phase of my life!

Another surprise that I've encountered through blogging is seeing how many women all across the country (and world) are interested in and are pursuing the "old-fashioned" arts of sewing, canning, crocheting, gardening, cooking, hosting tea parties, etc. Women--young and old--are devoting themselves to their children, to their husbands, to their homes, and to all kinds of home-making skills that FAR surpass my own.

Each of the blogs that I link to and that I visit has a little different flavor. Many times during this past year, I've had to remind myself that I am not them...and they are not me...and my blog doesn't have to look like theirs...and my accomplishments don't have to measure up to theirs. (Whew! It's a good thing, because I'd never make it!!!) I don't agree with everything posted by the bloggers I visit, and I'm sure they don't agree with everything I post. But what a fun way to share thoughts, gain inspiration, and spur one another on in our personal journeys of faith and family.

I know I wouldn't have posted this much or had this much fun with it this year, if it hadn't been for Jeff. He taught me everything I know! And I'm so very grateful for his help and encouragement.

I expect that I will have fewer posts in the new year, since I'll have an extra little guy around here to demand time and attention. But we'll see how it goes...

To all of you who journey with me in this way and who share your own journeys through your blogs, thank you from the bottom of my heart.