Friday, December 28, 2007

Da Count for Da Year

I went back and looked over all my counts over the past year to see if a theme emerged. Sure enough, there was one that leapt out. It was people. I counted family, friends, even kind strangers. I counted good dads who warm my heart. I counted teachers who nurture my kids. I counted folks I come face to face with on a regular basis and people I only know in a virtual sense. I counted their creativity which sparks my own, their words of encouragement, and the kindnesses offered when I most needed them.

True confessions, even when I am surrounded by people I can often feel rather separate from them and somewhat on the fringe. Part of that comes from the way I grew up and I recognize it as the reaction of a girl whose family was often regarded with thinly veiled contempt. Sometimes I consciously work against those gut reactions. Sometimes I let the sense of being 'outside' work. That's not always a bad thing, in case you wondered.

In any event, the pattern of my counts is evidence of connectedness. For 2007 I am counting the connections that are undeniable, whatever form they take. I'm counting the ability to affect each other due to the connections we have.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Pee Pole... Pee Pole who need Pee Pole..." lol. Funny how similar our counts are. :) Tis true... it is the connectedness that counts most.

And a big count is our connectedness via our blogs.

Forgive me while I break out into song "Are the luckiest Pee Pole... "

Anonymous said...

It is those connections that make us feel human, eh?

Commander Zaius said...

I just wish those connections worked just for good and not bad like the stuff going on over in Pakistan now.

SignGurl said...

Lime, you brighten all of our days with your warmth and lovingness. I count myself as lucky to have met you this year.

Little Wing said...

I just had to comment, lime.
I can so relate to what you said about the way you grew up.
Great post.

CozyMama said...

happy new year - saw the pic on Gman's blog - you all look great.

jillie said...

I always seem to feel a sense of calm after reading your blogs and when I am down, I know I can always find a good belly laugh now again. Thanks for the great reading in 2007 and looking forward to 2008!

Happy New Year Lime ;o)

xoxo

Cooper said...

It is connection that makes the 'net the draw that it is. There are very few places people can be non-judgementally connected anymore. This is the role churches filled at one time, they were the social center where people with roughly the same beliefs connected. The only religion I've seen continue this are The Mormans (no, I'm not pushing ANYTHING nor am I voting for whats-his-name) but I used to live next door to a Morman church in central PA and the sense of community lasted, literally all day. Most people, though, crave that lost sense of connection in a world dominated by speed - mental, physical and emotional. As Jillie said above, it's nice to sit, get connected with blogging freinds, and breathe.
Thank you for the effort you put into your space and the comfort with which you share a portion of your life. I do look forward to visiting here.
Have a great 2008!!!

Moosekahl said...

It's amazing how those connections work out. Those connections get us through our day to day lives and through those unexpected bumps in life. It all works out. Thanks for being connected. Love ya!

Anonymous said...

and you know I count you in too :-)

(M)ary said...

(-: hug (-:

seriously, i can't think of anything else to say!

you are right on with da count.

Charles said...

Each of us are individuals, complete in ourselves, but seeking to understand and connect with others one some level. Let's make those connections enjoyable, I know you do.

Charles said...

On some level, rather.

G-Man said...

Michelle...
The Sun pales in comparison to your shining light.....
Happy New Year...G
xoxoxox

tsduff said...

I cannot imagine you having to be witness to anyone regarding you with a "thinly veiled contempt"

Shame the hell on them. SHAME. I also can't imagine people judging others in such a way. You my dear, have never failed to satiate my quest for peace, humor, or just plain "INTERESTING" here at your place. Thanks for everything - don't stop now.

Anonymous said...

The advantage of being outside is the ability to make independent decisions, based on your own convictions, and if you then find people who share those that for me is the greatest joy.

Happy New Year, Lime!

S said...

That tie dye shot is hot missy, right now there are 12 Indian men behind me staring at your boobies!
Just kidding!

Hello from India!
XXXX

barman said...

It is funny, when I was growing up you could be connected with people but they were all people right near by unless you were lucky and able to travel. Now, with the Internet and everything else, it is nothing to feel a connection with someone half the world away. You're the count ess and the bomb.

Thank you for your counts and HNTs and all you share. You really bring out a warm feeling inside that I so enjoy.

Me said...

connections, however tenuous or deep, are amazing things. here's wishing you and yours a happy and connected new year, lime!

Rick Rockhill said...

michelle- interesting idea to look at the counts...I'll have to do the same. Relationships are important to me- different types as well...and a feeling of belongingness. Honestly it's one of the reasons I attend church- to be part of a community. not to suggest its all social, just the shared beliefs part.

KFarmer said...

Amen sista~ good count :)

Casdok said...

What a lovely theme to have emerged.

snowelf said...

I loved the posts this summer on the kindness of strangers...its so incredible how people are so sweet to each other. I think the goodness of the human spirit is contagious.

Happy New Year Lime! Can't wait to see what goodness comes your way in 2008. :)

--snow

Gledwood said...

You know that saying... you're never as lonely sometimes as when you're surrounded by other people...

San said...

Counting connections. A lovely way to "tie one on" for New Year's.

May yours be beautiful, Lime.

The Zombieslayer said...

Yes, we are all connected. I realized long ago how sometimes the smallest thing I did could affect more than one person elsewhere.

Good dads don't get enough credit, nor do nurturing teachers. Those are two groups I try to go out of my way to give extra respect to.

I've found that before they meet me, Junior's teachers are often taken aback by me and are stand-offish at first. So I started wearing a suit when I meet his teachers, just so I don't scare them. I make it clear that I don't want them to hold back, and I take their concerns seriously.

My son has too much in common with me. He's a smart kid, but a loose cannon, and has had a tough time adopting to our new "class," which acts very differently than the class we grew up in. So it hasn't been easy.

Kelly said...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Flash said...

you can count on me being an avid reader!!!

TorAa said...

Dear U,
I deeply respect your background. And story behind

Mine will take a little longer than first expected, when talking with my mother at X-Mas Eve....

Jocelyn said...

Before I read this, I was already on a Lime high, thanks to the great story you left on Theresa's blog about dumping the melted ice water into your daughter's bed...but now I'm really high on you.