serendipity (soLs)
 |
| Christy (R) and I hung out in “real life.” |
I’m continually amazed at the community I’m surrounded by because of blogging. Sharing stories fosters connections. When stories are shared over time, relationships are inevitably built simply because of these connections. A year ago, Christy Rush-Levine joined the Slice Challenge for the first time.
Even after March came to an end, she continued blogging and linking up on Slice of Life Tuesdays throughout the year. Her blog posts, as well as her responses to my posts, became a staple in my writing life.
Recently my in-laws moved to a new city, and I wondered if it was close to Christy’s home. So I sent her an email on a whim. Are we close? it said, Are you busy this weekend? I asked.
Serendipity! she responded. Soon we spoke on the phone, and she was on her way over.
How many people can we call on a whim and invite over? I didn’t feel like I needed to do anything special. I didn’t need to “get ready.” I knew the time would be filled with genuine conversation and the joy of simply being together. This is serendipity indeed.
I don’t even need one hand to count the number of times Christy and I have been in the same room. However, she knows me better than some people that I see every day. This is because she reads my stories and I read hers. The relationship that started out there in cyberspace has become one of my treasured friendships.
All because of story.
 |
| Click on the image to read other Slice of Life stories & find out about the Slice Challenge. |
Let's Be Email Pals!
Teaching writers doesn't have to drown us.
Enter your information to receive my free eBook, plus weekly tips and encouragement for teaching writers.
Ruth, what a wonderful story about making connections in cyberspace. I'm already starting to feel connected with some of the writers in this challenge. I can't wait to see what unfolds by the end of the month. Enjoy your Sunday and your friend.
What a great story! As a first time slicer, I am enjoying these connections. It is amazing to me what one little note or comment on my writing means to me! I'm glad you shared your story and I look forward to reading many more this month.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sorry, too many typos! Here is the edited one: How lucky is that! I'm so happy for you both that you got to spend time together. Remember if you're ever out west… Stories do define us don't they? I saw it through my students all the time. Thanks for reminding us, Ruth.
It is an amazing thing! I can feel the honesty that people convey in their writing every time I read a post. A relationship through writing creates a unique friendship from the start.
Wonderful. I like how writing allows to make new friends and you never know how the paths may cross in reality.
Very cool that you two got together again. Christy is wonderful!
Love how you described your meeting – it sounded so easy and comfortable. Love hearing how story brought you this new friend. So cool!
I sometimes would like to just take a long walk with some of these bloggers and talk, notice, and laugh together. You could actually choose friends like this. Oh, I guess Match.com/Facebook, etc. have already done this in a sense!!
I'm jealous that you got to spend time with Christy! How truly wonderful! Enjoy that treasured time! It really is just amazing what cyberspace can do for us!
So true that some of the relationships we build online are more raw and honest than those we have in 'real' life. So glad you had the chance to make the connection in person too.
How fun! I think some of you that I have had the opportunity to meet online absolutely know me better than those I know “in real life”. And I love how you describe story. Do you know C. Alexander London's quote:
It’s a fact: people can survive without books. People can even have wonderful, full lives without books. But they can’t long endure without community, and community is built on stories.
It's my new favorite and hangs on my wall. I think it is absolutely so true. Glad you guys got to meet up!
Ruth, thanks for your tweets, this slice, and the serendipitous e-mail yesterday! Spending time with you and your husband reminded me of Linda's OLW: comfort. It is an honor to consider you a friend in this blogging community and my life is even richer for being able to connect with you in person. Every time I see you in person, it feel so natural that I forget to be amazed by how comfortable it feels to be in the midst of a rock star like you 🙂
One of my favorite words and favorite frame of mind. One these days I hope it's ME that gets to meet up with you and other blogging inspirations.
Tammy
First Grade @ Klinger Cafe
What a perfect post to capture the essence of SOLS. We are so fortunate to have possibilities to exchange stories with others via the Internet. It's hard to imagine that this would not have been available in earlier generations!
Oh, Ruth. That is so special! Thanks for sharing this story. The connections we make throuh this SOLSC is wonderful. Christy is so wonderful as are you.:)MaryHelen
This truly is an amazing community. I am so glad that you two were able to get together in person and share some new stories.
How great! Just another wonderful thing about slicing. This is my first time and I am enjoying it so much. I love to hear stories like this one. Thanks for sharing!
Wow…so moving! I think it's so cool how you can connect with someone by simply reading their words and responding. That's the power of writing…it brings people together and lets you get to know one another on a deeper level. 🙂 So glad you got to meet up with Christy!
It's amazing how the internet has connected so many of us! I'm really enjoying the slices!
It's amazing how our stories and something so big, so vast, so abstract as the Internet can be merged together to connect people through an actual community.. A communtiy that shares honestly, that lifts people up…it's all very special. Glad you were able to meet your friend!
Yipee for friendship and SOLC connections.
um….you two are dressed alike… 🙂 Hugs to you both!
I, too, am amazed at the community that forms through blogging. I've met a few of my blog friends, have sent gifts to and received gifts from others. So glad you and Christy were able to connect, so glad the SOLS challenge makes strong connections offline, too!