I went to this years BlogHer conference with vague
intentions.
I knew I wanted to
see old friends, talk to folks about what I was writing and my intentions for the
book, and I couldn’t wait to see what surprises the universe had in store for
me. (And there were plenty….)
These conferences are unique in that we meet hundreds of
people, and we wrap our arms around them as if we are old, old friends. It’s crazy! But you know what? We are...
We wrap our arms around each other because we are old friends. We smile with genuine
happiness because our hearts are connected.
We’ve been engaged in the story of each other’s lives for
years, months, or perhaps even weeks. We’ve met through the blog of a friend, or the
friend of a friend of a friend. We’ve read each other’s thoughts, stories, secrets, tragedies and
triumphs.
We were with Anna when she lost a precious child; gone through divorces
together; watched Kevin and his wife as their child struggles with an illness
we have no control over; cheered for Jill when she published her book, and we’ve seen each other slip, fall and get back up.
We laugh as we see others stumble as we do, and we cry when
their memories strike a chord inside our own hearts. We sit for hours combing through the stories of their lives
and our minds digest the journeys that both shock and encourage us. We feel entertained, lifted, saddened and happy in a matter of minutes. We learn details about their lives that they might not share if we were sharing a beer at the corner pub. We release things into the blogosphere in the middle of a quiet still night, that often have stayed hidden in the corner of our hearts, and it is freeing.
We know them.
And they know us.
And so when we see their names and hear their voices we
embrace them with joy and gusto, because we know
who they are.
And that particular kind of friendship is priceless. It’s new, unique, and hard to describe
to some who aren’t connected to this blogosphere.
But it’s priceless, nonetheless.
But it’s priceless, nonetheless.
22 comments:
That? Was wonderful. Thank you for perfectly capturing why 102we willingly travel hundreds or thousands of miles to spend four days in the company of strangers who are not strangers.
so true, my friend! thank you for being here for me. want some, ahem, details about yesterday. xo
Oh Anna, you know a lady doesn't kiss and tell.
(A private email MIGHT be in order!!!!!!!!!!!! lol)
So, so, so true!!! It's always a highlight seeing you. And, um, can I PLEASE be added to that private e-mail message?!?!?
Yes, yes and yes. I won't make the mistake of not going again. I missed you so, thank you for the email and the love.
it is very cool...have had a few opportunities to meet several blog friends...and had some pretty amazing times with them....
glad that you had such a wonderful time!
This post just put into words EXACTLY how I feel about the people I've met in the blogging world! Now, I just have to get around to actually meeting them face-to-face.
And what's this I hear about private emails? No, this won't do! I'm nosy. I need to know. ;-)
What a lovely, lovely post. We are so connected, eh?
I wrote a post about my travel woes, but this is really what it's all about.
This is one of the best posts I've read about BlogHer. Can't wait to read part two, and can't wait to read more about your new school year and find out the theme of your book. Thanks for sharing it all with us!
What a beautiful post, you really captured what this experience was all about. Thank you for sharing it! This was my first conference, and I am still in awe of the whole experience and all of the amazing people I met there!
Beautifully, Perfectly written. The message is so true.
This was the BlogHer I just sat around and talked to people. And I think it was the best one yet! I spent no more than 30 minutes in the exhibit hall ONLY talking to people hawking products of interest to me (okay - there was that sweet old European doctor who developed the cure for the super flu or something like that - but I couldn't break eye contact as I walked by - he was JUST THAT GOOD). And I only dropped by a couple of private parties. If I attend BlogHer again, I will do the same thing in the exhibit hall and skip private parties all together. You can find me in the bar nursing my $20 glass of wine and talking to some of the most interesting people I know. You included.
Now let's plan that DC get together!!
HOpe to make it to one of these blogventions, one of these days.
We are very lucky people indeed. Glad Blogher has been so wonderful for you.
I haven't made to a BlogHer event yet... but one day I hope to and meet you face-to-face there.
I speak to my RL friends about my blogging friends and they are always like "and you know them HOW??" I LOVE how the web has connected total strangers and made us friends.
This tugged at my heart tonight. I want to be at the next conference. You said it so perfectly.
**you best be adding me to that email list** Just sayin'...
The buildings looks stunning. Its a spectacular sight. Thanks for sharing.
LOVE!!!
Your title ........ and many distinct things make me to pass a lot of time on your weblog.
I thought it was going to be some boring old post, but it really compensated for my time. I will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful
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