Why Keep A Weblog?

I first looked for a way to connect to people after 9-11. As corny as it sounds, I was looking for some way to connect with people around the country and world. Just for the purpose of spreading love and peace. (I told you it would be corny.) I started a very successful group on AOL and we introduced ourselves and touched base with each other and it was enlightening. I had been keeping a daily website on Geocities. There was little else in 1996-97. When I learned of Blogger in 2001, I started my daily writings in private at first. Blogger made it so easy to keep a journal. I soon turned over my AOL group and went public with my Blogger site and put my foot into the www water of general feedback and communication with other people.

I had thought it was something that I was giving to others. Making online friends and giving support and speading kindness. It was some time later I saw how it helped me come out of my shell. Although I've always been pretty bold, I never dipped below the surface to speak of real emotions. I lost a best friend; my father passed and life was more precious than ever. My son is estranged from me; my daughter is now a teen with a life of her own and my husband is ill, so I found myself with more time on my hands in this stage of my life.

Keeping a daily weblog gives me a place to keep my thoughts for all time. When I'm long gone, my family can read it when they choose. My sister and I help each other with our journals when she's able. It's fun for my in-laws and my out of state friends to see what my family and I are up to. Old classmates have found me online; from high school and college, and we've renewed our friendships with emails and occasional visits. My teen daughter stops by to see what's on my mind while she's in computer class. And my son, even though we no longer are in touch now, also reads my website, I'm told.

I'm not sure who this weblog/website is for. It doesn't have to "be" for anyone. I'm real glad it just "is".