Unfortunately, feelings have been hurt. Friends and family are not always happy with me. I do not protect anyone's identity although some blogs don't mention any names. And although I started just blurting out my feelings and my thoughts, I had no idea that I would make friends!
YES! There are people who read this blog besides the mandatory family members and close friends. Mainly they are fellow widows who inspire me, encourage me and continue to tell me I am not crazy on this ridiculous grieving journey ... and that whatever is happening, it is OKAY. No matter my dilemma or concern they always tell me it's normal ... part of the process. Good friends. Great widows!
I have been fortunate to meet one blogger in person. Time Goes By author lives right in my condo complex. She is busy and active and intellectual and has gotten me involved in the development stage of 3 Rivers Village. We are not friends, but friendly. (I don't think she takes time for friends).
I'm also paying it forward. After being encouraged by The Misadventures of Widowhood when I first found her blog, I am making myself available to friends and neighbors who are interested in blogging. A few weeks ago three of us met in our Clubhouse for a two hour session.
This blogging hobby is just perfect for me!
I'm sorry one of your friends or family had their feelings hurt by something you wrote. Venting is venting and we all do it whether in our blogs or to someone else we see often. I personally made a decision long ago when I started blogging not to use names if the person I was writing about could get their nose out of joint, should they see it. But that's just me. There is no right or wrong way to blog which is the beauty of the hobby. We get to construct the thoughts we share the way we want to do it. If people read them, fine. If the agree or approve, fine. If they don't, then they don't have to read. Blogs are a bit like Facebook when it comes to people taking conception to what is posted from time to time. It will blow over for you...and them.
ReplyDeleteI, too, read 'Time Goes By' and knowing that you know her in 'real life' I've been really curious about her. But I've resisted asking because I didn't want to put you in an awkward position.
Email me if you EVER want a private conversation!!
DeleteFortunately, I've only heard (second hand ... or maybe third) that I offended someone. My blog is my diary of sorts. Be careful what you read!!
P.S. It would be nearly impossible to blog about our daily lives if we left out our contact and interactions with the people around us. So don't let anyone tell you any differently.
ReplyDeleteAnd since the blog is about ME, the secondary cast is merely incidental to how I was feeling.
DeleteThank you for backing me up!
Oh, A.W., you have no idea how much I would like to blog about my daily life and encounters, but that unintentional damage you speak of silences me. My rule of thumb is to speak only about my interior issues and leave 'real life' out of it. All my censorship is seriously limiting. LOL
ReplyDeleteI am soooo tempted to start another blog that my friends and family would know nothing about. But then you guys wouldn't know where to find me, either. Darn! Darn! Darn!
You revealed a lot about your family growing up, GowithFlo not too long ago. Did you get blow back from that?
DeleteHonestly, I think my "ouch" was intentional. The person was evidently OBLIVIOUS about how their behavior hurt me! A big DUH moment.
DeleteSurely there's a way to have a "by invitation only" blog! That would be so fun! And Jean can make up stories that will cause us all to giggle out loud!
Which is the very reason I made my new blog that no family or close friends--OR NEIGHBOR"S, know about. I need to vent and this is my way.
ReplyDeleteOh yeh, neighbors! I think our community has the highest percentage of INTERESTING players ever! Maybe I do need a private blog. Honestly, you would not believe some of the things that are said or done!! Some days it is like Junior High over here ... lots of little old ladies!!! Very fun if you are able to stand back!
DeleteFirst, if you ever decide to go the private blog route, you must send me an email or comment on my blog. I would hate to miss your writing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the people I meet through my blog so much. I was just thinking today that I often share things on my blog that I don't share in real life. My blog is not private, but my family and friends do not know about it. At least I don't think they do. Heh! Who knows?
You're neighborhood sounds so interesting. Our neighborhood is much younger than we are. I'd really like to get into a neighborhood that has more people our age.