I was with my Mom the other day, and just as I was beginning a story about something I’d recently done, I paused.
“You know, I blogged about this the other day. And I’m sure I wrote it out better — with pictures! — online… Do you read my blog?”
“Yes I read your blog! I just haven’t read it these past few days; I’ve been busy at work.”
“Oh. Well, you never comment so I have no way of knowing if you’re reading it or not unless you TELL me that you’ve read it.”
“You wouldn’t mind if I left a comment?”
“Um… no.”
“Hmmm. I’ll have to think about it.”
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I was dumbfounded. Really?! Someone would feel that they couldn’t leave a comment on my blog? I love comments! I really like knowing that people are tuning in, learning how to make cake pops, watching me make fun of my former self, and checking out the places I’ve been. I like hearing about how people have had similar stories, or getting other opinions, advice.
People reveal themselves through comments, I feel, because they only tend to comment when moved to do so. By something I’ve written, linked to or attached a picture of. That’s powerful stuff! And you know what? I think my other blogger friends like reading comments too! Even those who have huge readerships and sometimes get the equivalent of hate-mail. Why? Because the good stuff? The comments from people you’ve actually touched in some way, or brightened their day, or helped them to see that they’re not the only one in the world going through it? Those are worth it.
Comments from my friends can make me feel warm, happy, encouraged, comforted, loved, excited and resolved. Comments also introduce you to people who might become new friends, and that is a very exciting prospect too! So, if you’re sitting out there at your desk, on your couch or even on the toilet somewhere reading through blogs with wild, speed-reading abandon… stop for a minute. Take a deep breath. Ahhhh.
Now, open that Google Reader and give these posts the time they deserve! Really read them. Give your brain time to process the words, time to be affected (or not). And, if a certain read gets you fired up, or jumping up and down with happiness… If a paragraph touches you, a photograph makes you laugh, or you’re reminded of a similar adventure… click on the comment button!
LOL
I think it’s because it’s from Momacita. Mom’s develop this bad habit early on in their kid’s adolescence, that if they seem TOO involved in their kids lives…the kid get’s indignant. However, they then need to learn that once their kid becomes an adult, they can start interacting with their kid again on a normal level
A comment means that someone gives a damn enough to say something and THAT is what means something to me. I have Statcounter on my blog, which when I started it revealed I had a number of lurkers who never commented. It was a fascinating realization.
So, here I am saying, “what you wrote moved me to say something.”
I LOVE reading Jennifer’s blog. I have always loved and admired her writing. There are two sides to my earlier not commenting.
1. yes, I don’t want to intrude too much on her independent life, good insight, Max!
2. I don’t write like her, it dones not come spontaneously. I worry about content and context. But I am now sometimes breaking those barriers for myself. Thanks, Jen.
Kisses to a wonderful daughter.