Some of you know I came to the blog world after spending a few years in Yahoo! Trivia chat rooms. Once upon a time those rooms were full of witty people who loved to quiz each other. It was an intelligent and civil place where friendships were formed over knowledge of arcane facts. The first person I got to know there is Susie. We hit it off pretty quickly. When the trivia rooms were overrun by bots and skeevy trolls which made the game impossible several of us defected to the blog world and started our own blogs and a joint blog. Although Susie, Logo, and I are the only ones who still blog from that original crew of eight I'm still glad for the time we spent in the trivia rooms and for the continuing contact. I figure I've known Susie for close to nine years now. I could go on at length for the various joys and trials we have known each other through.
I could do the same for several of you who I've known for a long time even if only in a virtual sense. There is a true friendship and a sense of community that arises when it is cultivated. My family finds these friendships somewhat hard to understand. I try to explain it as being akin to a life long pen pal relationship. I recall my grandmother having a British pen pal for decades and they were there for each other through early marriage, child-rearing, grandmothering, etc. No one thought that odd. But I digress a bit...
I've been blogging five and a half years and have made some truly wonderful friends among you. I am continually amazed at the friendships that form and the care that people show each other. I've been so grateful for the care and support that has been shown me in times of trouble over the years and I hope I've been a good friend in return. Nonetheless, this week I've been completely astonished by a particular outpouring of support that has been given on behalf of Calypso and me with regard to a specific concern. Folks responded to an effort Susie felt strongly burdened to undertake and it has left me speechless. It's not something I ever would have asked for or expected in any way and yet here it is.
To those who have cared enough to leave encouraging comments on any of the blog posts where I was pouring my heart out, sent emails expressing concern and best wishes, to those who have prayed or held good thoughts for us, to those who have responded to Susie's request, to Susie for organizing something practical, to each and every one of you who have demonstrated friendship in one of these ways I am truly and deeply grateful. I count each of you and each act of friendship. Thank you.
