When I was little girl there was a kids’ show that I watched called Romper Room. The teacher, who was sort of the show’s director would hold up a magnifying glass and peer through it. She would say directly to the TV screen, “I see Billy. I see Susie. I see Rachel and I see you! I see you!” When I was very little, I bought it: hook, line and sinker. Then I started getting “in the know” and my cynical self thought, “Oh really? How the hell can she see me?” Well, maybe I didn’t swear, but I was a little annoyed at myself for getting duped.
Earlier this year when I attended the Taylor Swift concert, Taylor talked more than a couple of times about having a very personal relationship with her fans and audience. I felt a little skeptical when she said it, but she did seem so emotionally sincere. I had just recently started blogging and everything was so new that I didn’t quite understand this connection. But now I do.
First of all, I need to say thank you. I started this blog on an emotional whim. My eldest child had just left the nest and I had so many words, emotions, questions, doubts, fears, etc. swirling around in my head. Writing has always been the best outlet for me to really organize the swirl in my head and try to make sense of it all. I felt like a blog would be a great personal tool for me to heal and grow. It has definitely been that for me, but also so much more.
I thought writing a blog would better help me to connect with myself and it does help me with that, but I had no idea how connected it would make me feel with others. I have good IRL (in real life) family and friends who support my blog and read it regularly. I can’t thank you enough for all of your love, and support, and the kindness you have given to me throughout my life. I treasure you all. But readers out there, who I have never met in person, I thank you, as well. I treasure you. I never knew I needed you, but I did. You make me feel like I have a voice worth listening to; you make me feel heard and understood. I appreciate you more than you know.
I feel a personal connection to this blog, of course, but also to everyone who reads it. Your time is precious. You choose what is a worthwhile way to spend your time and when you read my blog you are giving me a gift of your precious time. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I sincerely honor that and respect that offering. What used to be looked at as just a personal release (my blog), has now become a responsibility to those who entrust their time to it. I don’t take that lightly. I get up every morning excited to write, excited to release, but mostly excited to connect to you all, my readers. As an entity, my readers, you have become another part of my life whom I love, treasure and feel responsible to be accountable and there for you. I want our daily connection to be that “comfortable old pair of slippers” that will always be there for both of us. I promise you to be as reliable and as honest and as “real” as I can be. I see you all as my friends and I am grateful for you. I see you. Thank you.