Blogging "friends"

I love the Internet! Seriously, I love it! Up until recently, I have appreciated it, when it worked well for me or helped me research or find something I needed. But I never realized what a cool tool it is in reaching people, "meeting" people, and praying for people all over the country and the world.

There are several people whose blogs I am addicted to.

Some are my friends, in every sense of the word, who hang out, talk on a normal basis, knew each other in school, or have some other physical, easily-traceable connection. I know about you and your family and your life, and you know the same for me. Blogging, for us, is just one other way to keep in touch and share pieces of our life journey.

Some are acquaintances, whose blogs I found through a friend of a friend. People who I know of, and have likely come into contact with in passing, though never exchanging a word. These are the blogs that I read, simply out of curiosity and find enjoyable.

Then there are the blogs that I have no idea how I came to find them. I'm not one who searches on blogger for blogs containing a certain content or anything. Every blog I read, I read because it was mentioned on another blog I read, or the author left a touching comment or something on another blog that caught my attention. I'm truly not a blog stalker, for those who might be concerned. I often feel strange commenting on "stranger's" blogs, and yet sometimes I cannot help myself.

As a writer myself, I get completely wrapped up in the stories of people's lives. I think sometimes you read so much about a person or a family, that you genuinely feel as though you are friends, despite the fact you may never have spoken to them before. You feel genuine joy when life's blessings are poured out on them. You cry real tears as you read of their heartache and pain. You pray for them as though they are your own friends and family. Sometimes, you yearn for distance to no longer be an issue, because you *know* if you lived close to this person, you could truly be good friends! And yet...you never speak to them.

I love the Internet because it allows for people all over the come together, share circumstances, share burdens and prayer requests, and feel a connection with someone whose face you will probably only see in pictures.

I added a link on the side of my blog, labeled "visitors." If you click the link, it shows how many people visit this site a day. (Not many- haha!) But the cool part, is that you can also see where people who do visit are visiting from. There have been a few from different states-- which is so cool! (Again, let me reiterate in case any of the people reading this are concerned...if you opt to also check your blog visits and see several visits a day from me, please do not think I'm a stalker! I have a list of my favorite blogs, probably over 20, that I regularly scroll through daily to see updates. I promise I am not stalking you and your family!) I for one think it is cool that someone I don't even "know" would take the slightest interest in my life.

So, in closing, if anyone out there reads this blog, please always feel free to let me know you are reading. You certainly do not have to, but don't feel afraid to leave a comment, thinking "she doesn't know me." I have finally gotten over that fear myself, and I have left several comments this week on those blogs I read who might not know me. You too, should feel free. Maybe, just maybe, we really could be friends. :)