To Blog or Not to Blog

Why doesn't everybody have one of these? Beyond the obvious pleasure in voyeuristic journaling, the potential for keeping connected to those in your life is mindboggling, or should I say mindblogging?

When I first decided to do this, I thought of those in my everyday life at Templeton as the primary target. After spending day after day together, I felt such a sudden and profound loss that I wished so much not to have. Even those I was closest to, I find quickly slipping away as I mean to e-mail, to call, to update, but I don't. The days have become weeks, and in just more than three weeks time I will find my way to begin the great law adventure. What better way to take each of them with me?

And then last night, upon starting the chain of e-mail notifications, I found myself pondering the matter further. I began to think, not just of those who so recently were in my day to day, but of many others. Each time my life has changed, I have kept a few close friends, friends that I talk to rarely, but think of often. Wouldn't they also like an opportunity to check in, without the two hour phone call followed by months of silence? I am assuming of course that, like me, they would relish the connection. And I return to my original question: Why doesn't everybody do this?

And then my thoughts turn to family. I think of Baby Rachel and how I'd love to hear and see how she's changing and growing. And I think of my cousins, whom I've never really known. Last month, I called one on his twenty-first birthday and he didn't know who the call was from. Who are the men they have grown into? Again, I ask (more pointedly this time): Why doesn't everybody do this?

I suppose there is a certain arrogance one must have in assuming that others will read the moments of their life, their opinions, and then return in a few days or weeks to read again. Or maybe it just takes admitting that I'm not good at keeping in touch in any other way. I would prefer to be arrogant but connected, than self effacing and isolated. But is a blog really that far from watching others lives on one of numerous reality television Shows? And I, for one, would rather spend an hour in the evening reading (and looking at the pictures) of the reality of those that I know, those whose lives I'm missing. Beyond that, I enjoy the thought of everywhere this blog can take me, the hint of possibility of rekindled friendships and continued connections with friends and family. Besides, it's a fabulous addition to my day, my normal reflection time, to temper it for public viewing, but finally commit it to writing.

Perhaps you can tell from the content that my day has been little more than staring at the ocean, reading, and playing my banjo. This morning, I took the dogs to Happy Trails Dog Park in Bradenton. The time will come, too soon I know, when days like this are a quickly fading memory, so I am cherishing each one.