Friends

It's the early hours of the morning again, a time I find myself coming to the computer to discover something and possibly to make a connection. I often do this before finishing my prep for the next day's classes. I went to Bloglines to see who had posted recently and was glad to see that Cynthia of Sorting the pieces had two entries. My heart always jumps when I see she has posted. I enjoy her entries so much.

I was totally moved to see she had listed me as one of eight bloggers she had chosen for the "Friends" Award. This is a description of the award:

"The Friends Award isn't about being the most popular blogger or having the most read blog. It is just because you consider the author a friend. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

When I started blogging with AOL, Cynthia was one of the first to befriend me, to support me by commenting on my little entries. Our relationship has grown beyond the blogging world, and we have shared e-mails, notes, and cards. I long to see her in person and hope that someday I will.

I am supposed to choose eight other bloggers, but I'm just going to mention four:

1. Cynthia of Sorting the Pieces--right back at cha, for being such a rock through my early days of blogging and for writing entries that continue to inspire me to think deeply, with more empathy. We've exchanged e-mails, cards, and we nip at each other now and then on Facebook. I still owe her a letter! Cynthia's effect on my thinking has been immense. Cyn, you are very important to me.

2. Vince of To Grow Is To Be Anxious--Vince and I shared gifts with each other through the mail once a long while ago, and he reacquainted me with Bruce Springsteen! Vince, you ROCK. Vince and I have had fruitful discussions about Freud, Jung, and Rollo May, especially regarding what each man had to say about creativity. Vince also introduced me to Denial of Death by Ernest Becker, a book that has shaped my thinking in so many ways.

3. Judith Heartsong. I can still remember the first time I contacted her by e-mail after finding her beautiful blog. Through the years she has inspired me to be more creative and to return to my roots in visual art, which I had abandoned on account of motherhood and work. Judi, thank you for showing me the way back to my art and for inspiring me with your beautiful artwork.

4. Beth of Beth's Front Porch, which is cheating because we were friends before we were bloggers, but this is a good excuse to tell her that I love her. Her life has recently changed: she has a brand new front porch and a brand new husband. And, after a long break, she's starting to blog again. Beth, you are my best friend.

These are the four people who have consistently commented on my entries and with whom I've contact other than blogging.

I am thankful every day for the interactions I have had and continue to have with Beth, Cynthia, Vince, and Judi. AOL may have treated its customers shabbily in the end by putting ads on the journals and then discontinuing journals as a service, but I wouldn't have met Cynthia, Vince, or Judi without AOL journals. I can't imagine life without them.

When I first started blogging, my creative life was sinking. I was too busy, too distracted by life and work, and I felt that part of myself was dying. Blogging helped me to find my way back. It made me more mindful. It helped me to explore my thoughts and my needs. And my blog continues to adapt to my needs. These four people have not only been with me the whole time, they have offered encouragement when it mattered most.