June 15, 2003
I can't believe I'm doing this ...
I'm actually using a Blog, and it's all mine set up by my son, Greggman. He just sent me an email (he lives in Japan-I live in Florida) telling me he would set it up and then another email saying I would probably say I wasn't interested and that he had already set it up. Well ... in between the two emails, I asked myself, do I have anything to say and do I really want to do this ... thinking maybe. So, here I am beginning.
Actually, my relationship with my best friend since high school just recently changed. She emailed me saying she needed to be quiet asking me to discontinue our emails on the current basis (we usually correspond several times a week, sometimes much, much more). She told me we could always talk to each other if we wanted each other's opinion on important things. Then she told me she had been thinking about how our lives were so much different, i.e., we now live coast to coast (she lives in Washington State) and I am married (nearly 15 years) and she is single. So ... I wrote back saying I would honor her request and I haven't heard from her since the end of May.
Of course, this poses questions that I can't answer. I actually had called her upon my return from a month's vacation wanting to "chat" and hear her voice. She did not answer the phone, so I left a message and she returned the above message in an email. I have a slight concern that she is okay, but I will wait awhile before contact again. I certainly would appreciate her contact first ... perhaps it isn't going to happen.
At any rate, the real reason I decided to use this Blog is becasue I am thinking I probably used email conversations to my friend as a sort of a Blog and she got tired of it. This might be a good way to write down my thoughts now that she has opted out.
Two years ago I went through an 8-day personal growth training seminar that changed the way I view life and I continue on a quest for basically "why am I here and how do I want to live my life." I have been reading many, many books on psychology, spirituality, philosophy, religion, etc. I find all of this information fascinating and wish I had found this knowledge much earlier in life. Now at 61 though I just have to go where I can with what time I have left.
Practicing yoga and tai chi has brought a new "light" in my life, along with meditation. I am continually astounded how my "old" thoughts on religion and philosophy have easily changed to a new view and understanding that encompasses all, rather than the few. I have read about Buddhism and like the "middle path" they follow and currently I am researching Taoism. The Eastern view seems to encompass ideas that are more meaningful for living your life.
So ... here I am ... now a blogger
Posted by carole at June 15, 2003 10:59 AMWow!
I'm so happy you decided to do give this a try. I already got at least one message which was exactly what I was hoping for which is to get to know my mom better.
That probably doesn't feel good to not be able to talk to one of your best friends. That's actually one of the reasons I'm often so sad that I don't have a girlfriend because I miss having a best friend so much.
Back in High School, I know that's a different time but John and I were like brothers, always hanging out, making our games and stuff. He's probably the biggest reason I wanted to come back from Baltimore but when I got back he had a girlfriend and even though we were still good friend it was clear we would never again have the same kind of relationship we had in high school.
Fortunately we still keep in touch through e-mail although it's usually just discussing some new world situation (the war) or some tech thing. We don't really keep up much on each other's lives.
Posted by: GMan at June 15, 2003 11:53 AMThank you so much for sending this to me. As you well know of me, I am very analytical and tend to stay in my head. I for one, depend very much on the encouragement and friendship of the people around me. I find the intimacy of the internet to be the answer to a part of me that was missing. I am able to be completely honest and even face issues I can't deal with one on one. I am so sorry that your friend is withdrawing from you. I of course would worry terribly about that, since in your heart you know this is not normal for her. I reconnected with my best friend from high school only to find that she hated those years (not me in particular) but her family life and all the memories she has of a time that I thought was wonderful. Funny how little you know a person sometimes. Apparently my friend found much comfort and happiness when she was at our house, so at least I know that somewhere deep in her mind she was happy. She occasionally will send me a short email, but I think she found our lives to be too different and the memories were not good, so it didn't turn out as happy as I would have liked. Strange isn't it how easily I tell this here yet haven't said it aloud.
I'm not exactly sure how this works, but I guess I will eventually figure it out. I'd never heard of blog before this, but I'm one who is always willing to learn. Quite interesting.
PS, I hate people who only send me funny emails and never bother to say hello........but I'm sure they are fulfilling a need in themselves so I continue..........
Posted by: Barb at June 17, 2003 12:49 PMThis is your very late sister. I'm going to have to do a search on Blogging...I haven't a clue.
How neat to hear your son say he did this in order to get to know his Mom better...you're a good guy, Greg!
Posted by: Anita at August 18, 2003 12:03 AM