Good Peeps

Sometimes, when I am driving down the street and I see a complete stranger walking or driving next to me...I'll think, "I wonder what their story is?" It fascinates me that each of the hundreds of people I see everyday have their own intricate fascinating life. Sure, they might not think that their life is fascinating, but I am convinced there isn't one that is not. Yup, I AM nosey...and I LOVE to eavesdrop...but at the same time, I am fully aware that often I get caught up in my own problems and my own life, so much so, that those lives walking around me seem to just melt away.

I think it is a rare treat to actually be able to look up from your own life and really get to know someone better. Blogging does this for me. I can forget about myself for a little while and be a support or an open ear to someone else. Our blogging community is a world in itself...it is almost a fantasy land. A land where I can leave all my imperfections behind and be the brave, reflective person I truly want to be.

SO truth be told, When Joanne said she was coming to our area, I felt a little bit like Seinfeld's George Castanza when his friends started doing things with his girlfriend. Worlds were colliding! And so it was with my meeting with Joanne. Worlds HAD collided...and it felt completely surreal. Here is my husband, and my mother in law talking to Joanne. MY JOANNE! I'm not often at a loss for words...but I felt a little star struck meeting her. She is one of my closest friends in the blogging world...how would it be in "real" life?

Well let me tell you...it was easy. Joanne is just like her blog. She is everything you think she is and more. She reminds me a lot of my sister Laura, with a little bit of groin kicking thrown in. :) We met at a restaurant alone for the first time. It was easy and natural. The conversation lasted for a good three hours. Filling in the gaps of what we knew of each other. Then Fred and Elise joined us and the entire picture of Joanne was complete. Like me, her family helps define who she is. They are her everything...and rightfully so, they are wonderful too.

My Mother in law invited them over for Sunday dinner. It was a nice relaxing night of eating and chatting. Elise fit in with the boys easily. She is unbelievable smart...and listens to reason, which is incredibly impressive for a two year old. The pictures on Joannes blog do not do her justice. She is a an angel. And Fred is quite the catch. He is funny and polite, and even helped with the dinner dishes.

Good peeps. That is all I can say.

Good peeps. :)

Before blogging, before being connected to our community, It pains me to think that Joanne could have walked right by me and I wouldn't have looked up from my life long enough to get to know her.

I am thankful for blogs. I am thankful for Joanne and all of YOU for so much support. I am thankful for the opportunity I have to look past myself and delve into others lives. To worry for them, to celebrate with them...to love them...even if they are in a blog world/fantasy land. I am lucky to know all of you...and especially lucky to actually have met Joanne and her family.

Someday....SOMEDAY! We will have a Blog Mama meeting. And we will hug together, cry together and laugh together. Until then I will keep reading and commenting...because that is what friends do.