Friday, July 24, 2009

Following


Okay, okay. I'm finally giving in. Even though Blogger introduced the whole "Follower" concept months ago (longer than that?) I've been slow to hop on the bandwagon. I don't know why... Maybe because it feels strange to have someone "following" me or my blog. After all, the moniker has certain unarguably negative connotations. Stalker, addict, and even parasite are all synonyms of follower. Ew. But I'm equally uncomfortable with the less frightening verbal comparisons: disciple, admirer, devotee. Jesus had disciples (not me), Aaron (my handsome hubby) is the last admirer I've entertained, and devotions are for early mornings and late night, solitary runs. ;)

But in the last few months of my blogging, I've experienced the strange, on-line phenomenon that is unique to our generation... I've developed on-line friends. Suddenly, these little posts we send off into cyberspace feel like a conversation, and I look forward to talking with people whom I've grown to genuinely care for. Imagine that. All at once, follower means companion, helper, friend. Your comments, emails, and blogs have done much to lift me up and encourage me through experiences light and unbearably heavy. Thank you. It's been a pleasure.

And so, I've added to my sidebar the sweet followers--friends--that take the time to stop in and say "hi." Thanks for your words of kindness, your willingess to share yourselves with me, your brief interactions that continually remind me that we are not, and never need be, alone. Even in cyberspace.

Have a wonderful weekend. May it be filled to overflowing.

6 comments:

  1. Did you have the follow gadget up at one time and then take it down? How else would we be up there ... I didn't click on it today.

    Just sent you an order. For another book. I think I wrote you that ATLF is going over big here. wb

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  2. i've seen the followers thing on some blogs. do you have to have a blogspot blog to sign up as someone's followers?

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  3. Nicole, I initially was uncomfortable with the word follower as well. I tried to change it up as much as possible on my blog. :D I'm proud to follow your blog. Your writing is a gift and you exude Christ's love.
    ~ Wendy

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  4. Hi, Warren. No, I've never used the follow gadget. But apparently you can follow any blog, whether or not they decide to display it in their sidebar. I like seeing my friends' sweet faces, so I decided to include mine. It also makes it much easier to pop over to their blogs!

    Amy, I don't know if you have to have a blogspot blog... You're on Typepad, aren't you? I really like their set-up, but for now I pay for too many things on the internet as is. Maybe someday I'll make the switch. :)

    Thanks, Wendy. Right back at you.

    Hugs,
    Nicole

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  5. Just finished ATLF. Ended well, in that it makes the reader want the sequell. Good job. I'm not much of a novel reader, but I use a couple of criteria for determining if I like it.
    1) Is the character real enough that I like or dislike him or her. Julia was real.
    2) Do I think about the book when I'm not reading it. I finished one novel this year that I made myself have to read just for the discipline of it. The characters were not real and the story line was not compelling. When the main character was seriously injured, it didn't matter. It was all unreal. ATLF draws you in and you think about it even when the book is closed.

    Good job.

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  6. I have to say, I'm very glad about the Follower thingy-majig. Mainly because your new posts will automatically pop up in my dash board now! yay!

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