Thank You For Being A Friend

I’ve been a writer for years. A lot of them. As a copywriter, my job is clear—there are objectives, measurements, clients, paychecks. But only for the last two or so has my writing become personal. Yes, as a blogger, it’s different. I’m not asking you to apply for a job, buy a product or support a cause (at least not usually). I’m asking you to look into my soul—through my experiences, challenges and words—and relate. To laugh, to cry, to tell me I’m not completely off my rocker (you know, even when—heck, especially when—I am).

And you know what’s so utterly amazing to me? YOU HAVE.

Here’s how I see it. I tend to think about something—a lot. Then I sit in front of a screen typing—alone. I click Publish, post it on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Then I wait.

A “Like”. A comment. A share. A quick remark at the bus stop, grocery store, t-ball practice. A new Facebook fan. A number in Google analytics. These have become the measure of my words.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about this and feeling all kinds of things. Appreciation, validation, anticipation, and, if I’m going to be honest, even a bit of pressure.

But this post is meant to be the appreciation part of that. I really, really want to say thank you. Because I know that though I sit in front of this screen alone, I’m not. On the other end there are friends.

What I love about your friendship is its quiet, but ever-present force in my life. Something funny happens and I think, “I can’t wait to write about this—I can’t wait to share it with my friends.” Something sad happens and I think, “This won’t be easy to write about, but I know my friends will lift me up.” Even some of you who I haven’t met in person—you’re there for me through thick and thin. And your words, your time, your support—it’s worth so very much to me.

Thank you for trusting me to entertain you. Thank you for reading, complimenting me, and even being willing to disagree from time to time. Thank you for making my dream of building a community come true.

Thank you for being a friend.

(Oh, I’m totally willing to hang out with your other friends—the ones I haven’t been introduced to yet—too…there’s no limit to how far and wide my appreciation can go. Just sayin’.)

 Though I wrote this more than a year ago, the words couldn’t be more true still today (5/14/13). In honor of my amazing Using Our Words community, I’m linking up to another amazing community — Project: Underblog. I hope you know how much both mean to me! Join me in reading the other blogs linked up by clicking the button below.