I know people who don’t understand blogging. Some of them, happen to be my favourite people in the world. Sure, they get the idea of sharing your thoughts, but many of my dearest and closest friends struggle to understand what a blogging community is and why it’s something I adore. I mention blogging or 20sb in casual conversations and I can see them trying to fully grasp the importance of this world to me but I know the connection hasn’t been made.
To be fair, I’ve never been really good at explaining why I do adore the community and the bloggers that I know. I tend to say things like “I like having a place to share my thoughts” or “I like getting free swag from desperate companies trying to get free publicity” or “I like having a place to routinely post pictures of shirtless celebrities“. I hadn’t figured out how to bridge the gap- how to introduce the internet in a way that makes my non-blogging friends and family clearly understand what it is about the online community that gives my heart a boner.
Until now.
Sunday night I sent two dozen of my favourite bloggers an email, with an attached plea to share. I knew that it was a busy time of year and that such a post may interfere with their schedule but every single person on that list either posted my plea, emailed me support or twittered about it to spread the word. And more than a half of those I emailed? Did all three. They wrote emails talking about what they knew, sent me funny poems, words of encouragement, links to resources that they thought might help. They shared their stories, made me laugh, made me cry and promised to share my words.
And they did.
The last 72 hours have shown me that so many of you, so, so, so many of you believe the internet is more than what my grandmother thinks it is. (She’s convinced it will be solely responsible for the demise of mankind and assumes I’m going to Hell for wickedly having an email address). So many of you have shown me that grace and compassion and empathy are not just words we teach children or recite when talking about people who have passed away. They are words that you live- each of you, each day. I’ve received over 200 emails at this point- from blogger friends and strangers, with words of encouragement and promises of prayer, recommendations, referrals, offers to visit, bake me snacks, listen to me any time I want to call. It’s been overwhelming in the best possible way.
I thought I would be able to link to each blog that posted my plea- as a thank you for taking the time to not only read what I had said, but to scrap original plans and share my words. But friends? It hasn’t stopped. Each blog I stumble upon with my words, leads to me finding commenters who are posting as well. It’s like falling down the rabbit hole and realizing that your wish is coming true, that no matter where you turn, what blog you read, there’s someone there who has read what I hoped and passed it along. At this point, trying to list each blog would be like trying to count the stars in the sky and I am so, so thankful.
The world- my world is still uncertain in some ways, but there is one thing that the last three days have taught me. That when you ask for help, express a need, cry for help- there will be someone who answers. Who stands up for what you are saying, who shares your voice when yours is tired, who lifts you with words and jokes and personal experiences. There will always be someone who reaches out when you feel like you are falling. There will always be one person. Unless you are a blogger. And then? Well, and then I’ve learned the amount of people willing to catch you is limitless.
Non-blogger friends? Meet the internet.
Such a honest and lovely way to introduce the non-bloggers to the wonderful blogging community. I of course wish it could be under different circumstances, but sending you hugs and lots of good prayers and thoughts your way.
this community? it rocks. and we are ALL PULLING FOR YOU.
I’m glad so many have responded to your plea and know there are tons of people out there having positive thoughts and prayers for you and your man.
You’re in all our thoughts. Keep strong. :)
It was our pleasure, believe me. We can’t wait to hear that our love for you and yours has paid off :).
Blogging and the blogging community = awesome. Keeping you in my thoughts.
I’m glad you reached out and we were all able to offer some support. We take care of our own. Love you guys xoxo
This experience has really renewed my faith in the internets. There are wonderful people out there, and I shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss them all. You are in my thoughts and prayers and ditto what Jamie said. Love.
you’ve definitely been in my thoughts lately!!! this really is a great community of people :)
I have seen your plea everywhere, and wanted to post it myself, but work doesn’t let me blog (oh no), so no success.
I am so impressed by the community. And I am so glad that you have seen all the support – I know that must make something VERY difficult just a little bit better.
My thoughts are with you.
You are still in my thoughts and prayers. And you couldn’t have said it better. There really is nothing like the blogging community.
We’re here for you when you need support. Hope you always know that.
i hve shared your plea with my non-bloggy pals and every1 of them is sending you positive vibes and so much more. its astounding in times of need how much the blogging community can be of help/advice and prayers.
we are all rooting for you!
Interwebs at its best!! My thoughts are with you both. X x Jen x X
I do not know you, I have not seen your plea nor do I know what is troubling you, but I do know how important it is to know you have someone looking out for you. I’m glad you thought to share. Good wishes! :)
If they don’t get it after seeing how this community united after reading this, they never will. Thank you for reminding us what this is all about and of grace and love in it’s best form. Let the optimism continue!
I saw your plea over @ Maxie’s and reposted it. But not on my regular blog (because everyone who reads that would have seen it elsewhere). I posted it on my alternate blog which has a different set of readers. I figured getting it “out there” to a wide audience was the goal, so I hope my reposting helped, if only a tiny bit.
Good vibes for you!
thinking so many positive thoughts for you and your hot, awesome man. lots of prayers and hugs coming your way. xoxo
Hugs.
I love your writing, lol, that comment about giving your heart a boner cracked me up!
You’re one of the first blogs I stumbled upon, and could probably say inspired me to keep blogging. Keep it up! :)
I read your letter on at least 3 of the blogs I read daily. You and your guy have been in my thoughts. I really hope nothing but the best for you both!!!
Chalk it up to your undeniable charm darling.
I saw your post on several of the blogs I read and I’ve been praying for you ever since.
Much love & positive thoughts!
I think I speak for all of us strangers that gave a shout out when I say, “I don’t have to *know you* know you to care”.
I re-posted your plea after seeing it on Matt(Mr. 5280)’s blog. Now, I’ve seen it…I can’t even count how many places. Don’t you just love when people are human?
Still praying ,lady. ^_^
Hugs and prayers for you! I found your blog thru someone’s twitter about this post. I do hope that everything turns out well for you and your man and I hope that it’s not Cancer! God bless!
I do love your blog after reading thru several posts! You have a new fan of your delightful writing and funny stories! Thanks for sharing with all of us!
xoxo
-LipSmacker
I read your plea on Ms Roma’s blog and I stumbled on hers from another blog. It was heartbreaking to read your plea. I will admit that I just started to read some of your blog (love the Secret Project) but I totally felt for you when I read what you are going through. Your plea through someone else’s blog is what lead me to your blog.
I blog and am not really part of the blogging community. None of my friends blog but I know that they always read mine. I post because I have something to say and with everyone’s busy lives, sometimes I don’t want to bother people with what I have to say. I am slow starting to discover other blogs and enjoy reading them. It made me realize that my blog is purely superficial and that I don’t write well =)
I just wanted to tell you that I am thinking of you and your loved one. Last year I went through a devastating life experience and blogging and expressing my feelings helped. You have so much support love and support from the blogging community. You are truly blessed. I only wish for everything to work out in your favour and know that you are in my thoughts.
<3
Thinking happy thoughts for you both. And spreading the word.
I am so glad that everyone rose to the occasion to be there for you. I’m thinking of you also.
I am always reluctant to say it, but sometimes those in our real life don’t understand the way other bloggers do. We can vent about something those in our real lives might not fully grasp and our readers (other bloggers) will say that little something to make it better.
I hope that all the support you’ve had keeps you going in the rough times.
x
Thinking of you and saying a little prayer xx
thinking of you and your hot awesome dude. I am praying and hoping for good things for the both of you in 2010.
<3
like all these kick-ass folks, sending you and your dude the bestest of vibes. hang in there, have faith and continue to turn to those who are here to support you.
Seeing my reader full of people pulling together for you really just tugged at my heart strings. I love this community. Constantly sending up the positive thoughts for you and your hot awesome dude. xoxo
I read your plea on at least five blogs and I can’t tell you how it brought tears to my eyes EACH and every time. I refrained from commenting simply because it wasn’t on your actual blog, but I want you to know that as many prayers as I have, you and your guy will be in them. I have nothing but positive thoughts and hopes for you, and pray that if miracles truly do occur – which I believe they do – one happens in this situation. Never lose your faith, no matter what happens <3.
I’m glad that in the midst of the drama about the 20sb awards, something remarkable has happened in our community, showing what it truly is and what it is capable of doing. I’m keeping you in my thoughts, and I’m glad that so many others are doing the same :)
So, so, so happy to help. The internet is a magical place, and sometimes we all need our community to scoop us up and hold us in their hearts. You are in my heart.
I’ve just come to your blog after reading your plea at One Little Acorn. I just wanted to tell you how much my heart goes out to you and I’m certainly sending it out there into the universe for all to be fine with your truly wonderful sounding man!
And yes, this blogging community are truly wonderful. I continue to be touched by all the love and support bloggers are always genuinely giving.
I’ve been lurking around your blog for a while. I found your plea on KylaRoma and posted it on mine, as well.
I really hope everything works out for you guys. After all, you’ve got the whole internet behind you :)
-magpie
Hi Brandy! I’ve only just found your plea on David’s blog, but I have forwarded it on and you and your family will certainly be in my prayers as you will be in many others (^^ all theirs!). I wish you and your honey the best of luck. And in regards to all those who are keeping you in their thoughts, doesn’t the world just surprise you sometimes? Amazing.
xoxo
Sarah
Thinking of you and your loved ones.
David, from Blogspot’s “The Rest is Still Unwritten” copied and pasted your plea into his blog entry, thus I have done the same in my latest post. I shall put you in my prayers tonight and I hope answers and comfort come soon.
One more prayer coming from me! Positive thoughts absolutely work!
Its a way to connect to the world and it feels great when you feel connected, even if its not a face to face or personal meeting. when you know that people can share, comment, connect without actually knowing you, just for humanity and goodness sake, the belief in life is back!
Come on, now. Say no to a girl like you? As if.
:)
Sending mental hugs and praying for you guys. I really, truly hope everything works out better than you could imagine. Just like everyone else has said, you have a huge number of people thinking of you and hopefully that number is only just beginning to grow.
I’d fallen off the blogging wagon, but when I saw the effect of your letter, it pulled me right back into the community. Thank you for that. You’ve been in my thoughts the past 3 days since I saw the first letter posted and I’ll be thinking of you until everything is okay again.
you guys have my prayers
I’m throwing all my happy thoughts your way and wishing for nothing but good things for you in the future!
Well, my dear, the internet may be pretty damn awesome, but so are you. And that is really what the world should know.
Today will be the first day I read your blog. And today will be the first day I send every good thought I can your way. It won’t be the last though, for reading or thoughts. Just. Keep. Swimming.
Sending hugs and even more good thoughts your way!
i too have seen your plea on sooo many of the blogs i follow, and i know some of my readers passed it on as well!
can’t wait to hear some good news!
xo,
jessalyn
i just read your post off mandy’s blog.
my prayers and thoughts are, of course, with you and him.
I’m thinking about you guys and I’m so proud of our little corner of the internet!
<3
I read your letter on at least three blogs and my heart went out to you. I was hoping that your “blogging break” in your last post wasn’t because of bad news. Thinking good thoughts for you and your man!
I am tearing up at work now. You have been in my thoughts consistently since I first saw your letter this week and the million other times that it ended up in my reader. This was a beautiful post and it’s no wonder that so many poeple came together for you!
Brandy, we’re all thinking of you and your awesome dude. I saw your plea on half a dozen blogs in the past few days and you should know we’re all thinking good thoughts for you both. The blogging community can really bring people together, thank goodness for it!
I just read your letter on Davids blog. Stay strong and I;ll be keeping you in my thoughts.
There are lots of people thinking about you and your dude. And I guarantee when the clock strikes midnight lots of people are going to send you their wish. I am one of those people. Best wishes in 2010.
My thoughts are with the 2 of you as we head into a new year. Blessings will be yours.
i know i’ve been out of the blogging scene for awhile, but heard about what was going on with you on twitter. thinking of you and glad you have so many people supporting you in the blogging community. made me realize how much i miss it. have a wonderful time ringing in the new year with your Dude. enjoy every moment.
I’m all choked up from this post. And thinking about you and Dude. Happy New Year!
hug.
The blogging community is phenomenal. YOU are rad and it was entirely my honor to share your words with the three people that still check in with me. Big hugs and best wishes for the new year!!!
Seeing all of the posts come in amazed me, so I can’t even how much more amazed you were :)
*internet hugs*
You are cared for.
Hey Brandy. There may be times you need to do your own thing for a bit, just to get through, and others where you will want to write (and please do). And all the while, I will be checking in to see how you are and will continue to send lots of positive thoughts your way.
The internet and in particular blogging is a wonderful (sometime downright surprising) world and you continue to be a bright ray of sunshine.
Best wishes for 2010.
[...] The blogosphere for this and then this. [...]
First, I know what you mean about the blogging community. A blogging friend in England I’ve never met and I bonded more this year due to our close break ups. Her bf came back, mine didn’t, and that’s ok. I sent her a couple of packages because her break up was from a 7 yr relationship. Mine was barely a year and I thought she needed it more. It also helped me to cheer someone else up. I loved that we could be there for each other even halfway across the world.
Second, your words are gorgeous and inspiring and tho I’m sure you have your days this situation will be more than you can handle, you’re clearly a strong woman and clearly, there’s a lot of love being sent your way. I’d also discovered you from a few other bloggers and was meaning to put up your post but got all selfish and distracted by my new year’s and my purse being stolen that night, which took a lot of time to fix bank cards, buy a new phone, etc. It’s going to go up today.
Third, how is it that all y’all have this cute little snowy thing on all your blogs?!
Hugs and much love to you.. So glad your break didn’t last long. :)
I’m VERY behind in my blog reading (and commenting), but I thoroughly believe in the power of positive thinking and will send only the best happy, healthy thoughts your (and his) way.
Beautiful post, Brandy. I want to share it with all my non-blogger friends so they can understand that there are truly wonderful, inspirational people out there connected through the Internet. I love it.
I’m continuing to send all my positive thoughts and prayers for you and your guy. Let me know if there is anything else I can do.
I’m struggling to get my blogging spirit back– but if anything will help, the beauty of this will. I know I’m late on commenting, especially regarding the post above… but you are most definitely in my thoughts. Love from my side of the country.
[...] As A Support Group By Patrick, on January 20th, 2010 at 12:49 PM ShareI don’t know who Brandy [...]
Hi! Just found you :) I read about you and Hot Awesome Dude on someone else’s blog, blogged about it myself, and now I’ve actually found you!
I hope it’s okay that I’ve routed some people here, and encourged donations.
We are all thinking of you both, and prayers are coming your way!
[...] The blogosphere for this and then this. [...]
[...] the idea of harnessing the magical power of the internet is one I am familiar with, having done it myself in the past. The events that have happened since I did reached out, have been some of the greatest and most [...]