Why I love the “blogosphere”

Some of my friends and family ask me why I write my blog. They wonder what the heck I am talking about when I try and tell them that one of my posts was picked up by another blog or when my blog was featured on SITS and the number of comments I received nearly blew up my BlackBerry. I try to explain that my blog is like my outlet-I can post about raising my kids, dealings with my robot-husband and my constant and frustrating weight loss adventure. I also use my blog to share fun stories, videos, and share blogs of friends that I like. The people whose blogs I read regularly become part of my world. I know about their life, their families, their struggles, etc. I get excited for them when something great happens and feel pain when sadness occurs. The same is true for people who leave comments on my blog—they empathize with my frustrations, they help me with suggestions for my problems, and laugh when they think something I write is funny. It’s hard to explain, but one thing about these connections is clear—they are not fake.

Today has been extremely difficult for me because of Stellan. Stellan is an 8 month old little boy from Minnesota. Near where I live, actually. His mother, MckMama, writes a blog that I absolutely adore. She is mom to Stellan and 3 other little kiddos—all of whom are unbelievably adorable. Anyway, Stellan was born with a heart defect that has troubled him on and off during his short life. He was doing well for a while but over the last week, his health deteriorated and now he’s on his way to Boston, via medical airlift. Yikes. I’ve been glued to my BlackBerry today, waiting for updates from @MckMama about his condition. She’s been Twittering updates about his condition and her pain is palpable. I am just absolutely heart sick over Stellan’s condition, and yet I’ve never met him or his mother IRL (In Real Life for you non-bloggers/Twitterers). You can’t tell me that what I am feeling is fake or silly. My stomach has been in knots all morning and I am on the verge of tears every time I see an update from her. I can’t stop thinking about them, yet I have never physically met them or even spoke to them.

Within my little blog-world, real friendships are formed, compassion and concern for a little boy reaches all over the world and laughter and silliness spread like wildfire. You can say that the Internet is rife with horrible people, bad intentions, and dishonesty. But, it also has the capacity to help lift a mother’s heart when she’s desperately trying to hang on to hope, send waves of love and strength to a little boy who needs it in spades, and showers laughter on you when you need it the most. I think that is pure magic.