Loving our Lurkers!

I’ve had the privilege of participating in Love our Lurkers day since it was first introduced by Eva and Bonnie, fourteen years ago. I spend a lot of time thinking about my silent readers. Do they come every day and check to see if there is a new post? Do they wander by once a month? Are they disappointed that I don’t post much on topic? Do they sometimes read the archives? Why won’t they talk to me? Don’t they realize how much I enjoy getting a comment or an email from people who have found something interesting in what I’ve said?

Recently I had that very thing happen. A silent reader sent me an email and as we’ve written back and forth to one another we’ve become friends. With LOL Day coming up she wrote the following. It’s a gift to all of us who blog – past, present and future. As a blogger I can tell you this really touched me as I’m sure it will other who post out here. Thank you so much!

For the last few years I have read your blogs everyday but remained silent.  Thank you to PK for allowing me to express my gratitude.  Not all of your lurkers may be ready to speak up this November.  Here are some of the things that many of your silent readers and I have wanted to say to you.

Thank you to all bloggers who post regularly.  You provide a sense of comfort and predictability to our daily routine.

Thank you to all who comment.  Not only do you validate and encourage friends, but you offer broader perspective and additional insight.

Thank you to all who maintain a blogroll.  You help promote the efforts of friends and provide us newcomers with valuable links.

Thank you to bloggers who include archives.  You offer us an opportunity to get to know you and provide a wealth of experience and documentation over time.  

Thank you to all who offer inspiration.  You remind us of the importance of mindfulness, gratitude, self-care, creativity, and finding balance in our daily lives.

Thank you to all who inject humor into their blogs.  You help us laugh at ourselves and relieve our stress with jokes, cartoons, pictures, and accounts of your daily experiences.  

Thank you to all who post fiction.  Your stories provide entertainment, help us understand ourselves and each other, and increase our connection. 

Thank you to all who talk about spankings.  In case you were thinking I might have stumbled into the wrong group, your readers appreciate all the details.

Thank you to all who have kept blogs public.  Despite invasions of privacy, frustrations, misunderstandings, disappointments, and lack of encouragement, you continue.

Thank you to all who express a depth of feeling.  You share your anger and setbacks as well as your triumphs which helps us deal with the challenges of our relationships. 

Thank you to all who discuss organizational tools to maintain a successful dynamic.  You help us integrate planning, scheduling, journaling and reflection.  

Thank you to all who include "how-to" guides.  Learning how your relationship began and how it has evolved with any rules, rituals, routines and protocols is so useful to newcomers.  

Thank you to partners and spouses who encourage blogging.  Your thoughts and feelings are important for us to hear.  

Thank you to all who include culture and entertainment.  Explaining holiday traditions and customs across continents is interesting as well as sharing suggestions for books, movies, music and recipes.  

Thank you to all who no longer post but keep their blogs open.  Your story may impact readers years after you have moved on to pursue other interests.

Finally, I would like to share the words of William Arthur Ward with you silent ones.  "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."   Please post a comment or send an email to a blogger who has touched you in some way.  It will be appreciated.  

Thank you all,

Viola

Thank you for everything you said, Viola. Your words are much appreciated and please remember ...