Depending on how your mind works, Internet Intimacy either sounds rather racy or like an oxymoron. Given that my kids and Mom read this blog sometimes, I'm planning on keeping things relatively tame on the racy front. What I wanted to talk about was my experience of starting this blog. I started it on a whim last weekend. Basically I just wanted to write a bit about my decision to do chemo--a pretty momentous decision for me given how opposed I had been to doing it during Round 1 of my cancer adventure. The reason I decided to start a blog is that I wanted my friends to know how I was doing and what was up with me but I knew that I wouldn't always have the time to do that either by individual phone calls or emails.
My experience so far is that by giving people access to me and my process via my blog, I am receiving way more support and good wishes than I would be otherwise. Friends, close and not-as-close, can know for sure that I do not want my privacy respected, that I do want contact, that I do want them to be involved.
I am a big believer in the power of good wishes--those of a religious bent would say prayer--but my big fat opinion is that you don't have to believe in God to be caring, kind and compassionate and you don't have to believe in God to be able to wish someone well from afar and actually be able to lighten their load by doing so. Not that it's not a good or even wonderful thing to believe in God/Goddess/the Divine/the Universe, I don't mean that at all. It's just that I happen to think that non-believer's good wishes count as much as believer's prayers and I am wildly appreciative of it all.
I know that it's still early days, that I haven't begun chemo yet, that I am still strong and appear healthy even though I have millions of cells that are behaving really badly. That said, I'm thoroughly enjoying writing this blog. I'm completely touched by people's comments on the blog and their private emails to me. Thank you. Also, just so you know, I love, love, love having "followers." Does that make me a raving egomaniac? Will it go to my head and I'll grow a beard, get a bible and start preaching at the corner or Granville and Robson? I give advance permission for an intervention if that occurs but frankly it's more likely that I'll need an intervention from buying any more boots from the Fluevog that just so happens to be in the same block.
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Well Zoe, you've answered many questions I've been wondering about in this last entry.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know you like followers because I am following. No, it doesn't make you a raving egomaniac but it does make me smile to think of you at the corner of Granville and Robson.
I agree that well wishes and prayer carry amazing power. Both the scientific and non-scientific communities seem to agree.
This blog-site of yours is having an amazing effect on me...so many healthy emotions arising.
I will continue to follow and remember that I am just around the corner from you should you need anything, ever.
I would love to see the Fluvog collection one day...you are sort of the Fluvog Poster Girl.
Bye for now. Hi Kelly, Hi Es.
Oops, I'm a little behind and have yet to read your newest post but I did want to comment on the topic of internet intimacy, as you put it, for I find it truly fascinating. I have never subscribed to a blog before and certainly never been a 'follower' before. But here I am, checking in, and happy to 'follow' as you lead. I am often inspired to comment but see that there are not a whole lot of comments posted. That, and your referral to all the private e-mails that you have also received, makes me decide that I must exercise some restraint from blabbing away at first impulse on this blog, the way I probably would if we were talking face to face. Plus, all the stuff is on there forever so if I change my mind, then what? I am so new to this blogging thing.
ReplyDeleteSo, Zoe, I am grateful that you have decided to become 'less private'. Your posts always give me reason to reflect and ponder the topics of life, love, friendships, even laughter, and now.....Fluvogs. My current reality includes a lot of snow so I will admit to all right here, right now, that I have traded in my Fluvogs for the 'Baffin Chloe', MEC's new "seam-sealed, waterproof footwear that fuses function with stylish faux fur accents." Golly, I'm looking forward to going back to Robson and Granville, and I shall look for you on the corner!
I hope you'll forgive my momentary lapse into babbling levity. Sometimes I need it. I hope it's o.k. with you.
Au revoir.