Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Giving Thanks for Thanksgiving

I have decided to invent a new holiday.

One that I'm positive can't offend all the First Americans Indians.

But first? A little back story.

Yesterday I received a letter from a blog reader who has become a friend. Reading through this letter, I had tears streaming down my face and joy in my soul. I won't share the private contents of the letter here, but I will tell you this: This girl is an absolute rock star. She, who is all kinds of awesome herself, was thanking me.

It got me thinking about the new type of friendship that the Internet has given birth to: The Internet friend.

And I'm definitely not talking about the kind of Internet friend who wants to meet you at your house and then is surprised when Dateline: To Catch a Predator is there.

No one should have any of those kinds of Internet friends.

I'm talking about the friend who is in the motherhood trenches, the same as you. The friend whose blog you might read on your lunch hour, clear across the country, or even across the world. The ones you have met in real life; and the ones you have yet to meet. The people who tune in every day to blogs, hoping there are snippets from what you are sure is no ordinary life.

These are the people who get you. And the people whose words touch your heart, make you laugh, or tell you that you are not alone. The people who make our day a little bit better with their stories, photos, and wit.

So what I am proposing is this: Let's start a Thanksgiving revolution today. Think of someone you know (or don't know) whose blog you read. Send them a simple note, letting them know what their words have meant to you. Or simply thank them for continuing to entertain you. It doesn't need to take long - just a few minutes to type a note.

Imagine what that thoughtfulness will mean to someone. Their day is going to no doubt be hectic today; maybe they are traveling. Maybe they are cooking for inlaws. Maybe they are all alone. But to inboxes across the world, let's spread a little love.

We'll call it Giving Thanks for Thanksgiving.

I know what my letter meant to me. Imagine if every single one of you gave that feeling to someone else.

Just think of all the love flying around the Internet today.

It'll be amazing.

And just like the old adage that it's better to give than receive, imagine how great all of US will feel in return.

Go, internets. Fly out to the world with your good deeds. Then return and bring us word.

12 comments:

Stefani said...

Well I, for one, appreciate reading your blog. I love it most when you are you. I don't anticipate ever meeting you or even becoming "internet friends" but your blog brightens my day and I consider you someone that I "know" (in a sense) and it does my heart good. Thank you for sharing your talents and wit.

Tristan said...

Have I told you lately that I love you? You are inspiring :)

Cathy said...

I bet your bloggy friend had tears streaming down her face too. Happy Thanksgiving!

Denise said...

I have to say Thanks to you for your blog, and I will hit a couple of others with your idea as well. It makes my day to read a new snippet of your life and know that somewhere out there, someone else sees the world just as I do. So Thanks!

Juli said...

Don't 'cha just love those notes?

I just love this idea. :) And I know just who to send it to... she's had a hard time this year.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your peeps, real and imaginary.

LimboDad said...

I'll Jump In, thanks for your blog, I read every morning, I am the parent of three boys too, although a few years older, but they have done many of the same things. thank you for sharing out family with us.

Lauren in GA said...

Well, Stie. I adore you...and I adore your writing. I look forward to your posts and so does my sister Stephanie. (Who is no doubt lurking as I type ☺.)

Have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving.

I hope Dan is doing okay. Even though I pretend to despise him. ☺

Travelin'Oma said...

Your blog lifts me every time I read it. I love what you say and how you say it!

Cathy said...

And one more thing...did you realize that you got 11 comments on your post on 11/11/11? I didn't want to ruin it by commenting there. That's why it's randomly here. Ok. That is all. I'm officially a weirdo.

Jenibelle said...

I truly hope I am a "good type internet friend" and I do hope, with all my heart and soul that someday we meet and bond over chocolate and diet soda! (and we can compare dimpled thighs, mine win fo'sho'!!)

danandcindy said...

I don't have anything nice to say to anyone...

jessica said...

What a great idea!!! I have so many blog friends, Aric calls them my imaginary friends...but I adore them and I wish with all my heart that I could have them each in my real life. But that would be just too perfect so instead I am grateful for the internet. I am grateful to have you as one of my imaginary friends.

BTW...Happy Birthday! You make 38 look freaking awesome...