Serendipity is the fine art of stumbling across something wonderful. And is there any better place to do that than in the blogosphere?
A while back, I stumbled across Minnie of Minnie Moments and it turns out she lives not too far from me. She had posted a picture of herself reading her Bible while reclining in a big comfy chair with her feet up. Sitting on the floor in front of her were her two boys, which she had tied up and gagged. I laughed out loud because, if you have children and you are honest with yourself, you’ve considered it. More of my Bible-believin’ friends could stand to take a post from Minnie’s blog and lighten up and laugh at themselves a bit more.
I sent her an email and asked her to meet me for lunch. She responded immediately and with enthusiasm and she did. I knew right away that I would like anyone who would do something as spontaneous and crazy as meeting a not-so-perfect stranger for lunch.
Chances are that beyond the blogosphere, we would not travel in the same circles, primarily because she is 16 years younger than me and seriously cool. She has a cute funky hairdo and AM Fey glasses and an itty bitty jewel nestled on the side of her nose. I on the other hand, while I haven’t given in to wearing mom-jeans, I am not cool or anywhere close to it. That’s one of the many things I like about blogging - that the superficial barriers of age, class and religion that we erect around ourselves are less prevalent. I won’t say they don’t exist, because to some degree, they do. But they are certainly much easier to hurdle.
She greeted me with a warm hug. She was easy to talk to and delightfully funny and open. As we talked, I learned that she has overcome some serious obstacles in her life, although you would never guess that just by looking at her or reading her blog. As I listened to her tell her story, I was amazed that the bumpy road she traveled into adulthood left her not bitter and resentful as one might expect, but graciously light of spirit and refreshingly wise.
As I travel around the blogosphere, the fabric of humanity sometimes seems to be a little tattered and moth-eaten and full of holes. But occasionally, with a little serendipity, you run into someone like Minnie who keeps herself busy patching it with humor and kindness. And any day serendipity leads you to a new friend, it is a good day.
Shalee says:
That is a great good day, in my book.
I too am thankful for this new way to get to know new friends, to see that many of us are the same underneath our skin, that no matter the age or circumstance, we are on the same path called life and we will all have a safer journey if we travel it together.
I remember that picture and it really made me laugh at the realness of it all. And who says that we DON’T do that?
Duct tape, it’s not just for ducts anymore.
September 1st, 2006 at 10:57 am
Susan says:
Isn’t the internet a wonderful thing? Even though I have some very close friends in “real” life, I have made some even closer ones via the internet. My family & I recently flew to visit/stay with one family whom I met online 7 years ago, and it was just like seeing an old friend. Only thing is, she’s 8 years younger with a slightly different lifestyle, and even if we did live in the same town, I doubt our paths would’ve ever crossed. I am truly grateful for the friendships I’ve made online; my life is so much richer, as a result.
I hope you & Minnie have many more lunches together!
September 1st, 2006 at 11:37 am
boomama says:
I love what you said - but I especially love how you said it (big ups to that last paragraph, indeed).
September 1st, 2006 at 1:25 pm
GiBee says:
Believe it or not … this is my FIRST time here! FIRST. I think. I can’t quite remember because I’m old, and sleep deprived, but I’m pretty sure it’s my first time here, and I’m here thanks to Lauren at Created… I LOVE the picture of Minnie and her boys… VERY funny! I laughed especially because something similar happened to my husband with my son yesterday, but I’ll just have to blog about it.
It’s awesome that you had a chance to meet Minnie in real life. And, I can’t wait to meet you in Texas. I have heard so many great things about you!
I’ll be back. And I won’t forget. I’ll leave myself a reminder in Outlook.
September 1st, 2006 at 2:43 pm
Minnie says:
WOW! Thank you so much for the very kind words! Although I would never describe myself as ‘cool’ or ‘wise’. If you hadn’t explicitly used my name, I would’ve thought you were describing someone else. The more you get to know me you will probably renig on those comments!
It was such a treat to get to meet with you. I hope we can do it again soon!!!
September 1st, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Kathryn, dym says:
I have found it so freeing to be able to become friends with so many women so “different” from myself through blogging. When we’re stripped down to our bare thoughts, I find that we have so much more in common than you’d ever think by looking at us on the outside.
September 1st, 2006 at 10:53 pm
Lauren says:
That was beautifully said. I look forward to meting both of you too. I sure hope you’re telling the truth about not being cool, I’d hate to stand out in the crowd.
September 2nd, 2006 at 1:56 pm
Dianne says:
This is great and also what I love about blogging: the superficial barriers of age, class and religion that we erect around ourselves are less prevalent. I won’t say they don’t exist, because to some degree, they do. But they are certainly much easier to hurdle.
September 2nd, 2006 at 6:49 pm
Dianne says:
I forgot quotation marks around the previous statement - forgive me.
September 2nd, 2006 at 6:49 pm
Christina says:
That’s awesome. I have some friends that are nothing like me. I don’t know how it happened, but it did, and I am glad. Enjoy your new friend.
September 3rd, 2006 at 10:59 pm
Susan J. says:
Wow, you are like getting famous out there in “blogworld”. Seriously, I have enjoyed your writing from the very beginning. I feel privaledged to be able to say “I knew you when.”
Keep up the good work. Maybe I’ll see you in East Texas in the near future?
September 4th, 2006 at 4:27 pm
truevyne says:
Thanks for directing us to Minnie for a good laugh. It reminds me of a friend who recalls as a child, his mother scowling over her Bible and snapping, “The LORD is really dealing with me!” Made him a little wary of the Word, wouldn’t you say?
September 4th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
Brony says:
What a lovely story. Still being relatively new to the blogging world, it is always great to read about such friendships.
September 7th, 2006 at 12:54 am