LJ as family

[susandennis]

When I decided I wanted to keep a journal on the computer, I looked at various options. I wanted it online so I could get to it from the office or home or Mom's or wherever. And I wanted it painless. I first set up a webpage but I never got into it. Then I hunted around. I looked at blogging stuff but it wasn't developed enough yet or too complicated and I didn't really understand the blogging thing and I wanted a journal.

So I looked at Live Journal. At the time I had no clue about commenting or community. I didn't know any LJers but, it looked like a nice place. I liked it for the tools and the look and the ease. Plus, I read some of the other LJer's stuff and it was fun and interesting and I wanted to play, too.

It took about 3 posts I think for me to 'get it'. And to find out that 'it' was the one of the most enriching and comforting and sympathetic and fulfilling and validating and often the funniest experiences of my life. "It" of course is the community.

I still post for me. Mostly. I am constantly thinking of entries and things to say and share and save. I actually do go back and read some of my own stuff to remember and rethink. It's a good organizer, a good grounder, a good way to noodle out stuff.

But, the community of LJ friends is what has taken center stage. When my friend, Connie, was here last weekend, I found myself often saying things like 'my friend, Anne in L.A. says...' or 'my friends who live near Fenway heard... ' or 'my friends in Canada or Rhode Island or England or all the other places...' Connie probably thinks I have actually met all of you face to face and you know what, it doesn't matter that I haven't. You are all part of my family of friends.

Today you have provided support and advice and insights and help and guidance and major guffaws like no group I have ever known before. If I knew how to spell verklempt, I'd probably say you make me all verklempt.

But I am so very grateful to have the richness of what you give me every day. Thank you.