I appreciate you!

Today is Blog Reader Appreciation Day and I'm participating because my blog pal Robin came up with this brilliant idea. It's just the thing to take away the sting of tax time, isn't it?

In honor of Blog Appreciation Day, I thought I'd sift through my archives to find my very first comment.  And here it is:

It was left by Jo Spanglemonkey, in response to a post where I shared we would soon be moving to Portland, OR. Her blog was one of the very first blogs I read. So was Robin's as a matter of fact. It's funny that Jo laments about renting in her comment because since she left it we've bought a home and sold a home and are now renting again. Funny what can happen in four years. (Ohmigod I've been blogging CityMama for four years. Anyway...)

It is fitting that this blog action started by one of the first bloggers I ever read would lead me to another blogger that I started reading four? five? years ago. I want to tell you something about blogs and commenters and how they can affect your lives in strange and mysterious ways. In a way, this turns out to be the perfect "reader appreciation story," but one where I get to share my appreciation for these two bloggers.

First, Jo. Once I discovered Spanglemonkey, I couldn't stop reading. I marveled at her ability to capture simple moments and make them glorious. A park outing. The view from her window. A cup of coffee. All fair game for poetry. The woman has a way with words. And then, her life got really tough and I had a new baby and it was crushing my heart to read her pain. So I stopped. As many of us who read blogs do. But I never stopped thinking about her and now, this comment brings my back to her.

Jo, if you are reading this, I want to tell you that I thank you so much for your candor and honesty over the years. You don't really know me, but you started me on a spiritual path all those years ago to an experience we now have in common. For that, and for the richness this spiritual experience brings to my life and the lives of my two girls, I cannot thank you enough.

Then there is Robin, a lesbian "other mother" of one darling girl at the time when I first started reading her. I admit I was first sucked in by her daughter's baby pic in her banner at the time which, come on, was adorable-icious. But again, she has a way with words so I stuck around. Happily, our families have expanded alongside each other, and now there are two adorable-icious daughters.

I have never met Robin but I hope to someday. I have corresponded with her partner, celebrated her birthdays (virtually), and I feel like I know them, but I don't. (Move. here. now!) But it's because of Robin that I got hired by ParentsConnect a couple years ago. She recommended me to someone she knew that was hiring content folks and because of her, I was able to move my family back to San Francisco and survive some pretty trying financial times. So Robin, thank you. What you did for me—without ever having met me—was truly special.

That's why I appreciate you all so much, because you never know when a commenter or a blogger is going to change your life. It may not be obvious as first, but I believe we are meant to connect for a reason. I read blogs, too, and read them because it makes me feel part of a larger community. I am looking to expand my world. I'm kinda one of those people that stops by your blog and makes herself at home, and I hope you can feel that way here, as well. I can't sit idly by when I read blogs, I have to participate, and that is why I am so happy you do it, too, by commenting! Who doesn't love comments?

So thank you blog readers, commenters, and lurkers! Thank you for sharing your stories, listening to me, commiserating with me, cheering me up, and yes, even checking me when I've needed it. I appreciate you all. Now, here. Have a cupcake:

Comments

[Justine]

I'm a long time lurker. And I want to say - I appreciate you too! For inspiring me to cook more, for inspiring me to eat better, and for all the time you take to tell us all about your life :o)

[Mei]

I'm going to take this opportunity to delurk & to say I've been enjoying your blog for a while now. Simply thank you !

PS. I love your recipe for Korean beef ribs stew.

[ali]

do you appreciate me enough to send me on over a real cupcake? because i could really use one right now ;)

[elisa]

awww...schucks! it's nice to be appreciated. ;) i know i've commented on your blogs before, but i don't do it all the time. i think i don't because then i feel like one of those girls from junior high that is always around and needs put her two cents in. :)

i do enjoy your blogs. i am a wee bit addicted to them. :D hello. my name is elisa, and i'm citymama-holic.

thank you for writing so much about your life and your experiences. i love to hear about your family and your adventures.
i always click away from your blog with a smile on my face. thank you for that!

[christina]

Ditto to you, lovin' the blog, the recipes, the social and political viewpoints, the stories about your girls, all of it. Thanks for sharing and making it accessible.

[Jo]

OMG thank you so much! Has it really been four years? This is a beautiful thing to say and I truly appreciate it. May the next four years be as good.

We bought a house and are now in the process of selling it, too.

[beth]

I really needed a little appreciation this morning! Thanks! We appreciate you too! You certainly make my office a little more tolerable!
(And for good measure, here are a few! extra! excl!ma!tion! points!!!)

[Jill]

I gotta tell ya...I LOVE your blog. Somehow I stumbled upon it while I was pregnant with my twins. I was in the hospital for 6 weeks before giving birth and every day I would come back and read you for a bit of inspiration. So thank you! You make me laugh and keep it real.

[christine in pdx]

I'm a long time lurker/occasional commenter who recognized you at the Hollywood Farmer's Market (my first blogger spotting!) I enjoy reading about your girls and your interests and you have inspired me to menu plan.

[SFMA]

Your blog is the first one I ever read, and I find it totally inspiring, informative, and so fun. CityMama is by far my most favorite blog in the universe. I love the cooking tips and recipes (so does my hubby!), the stories about your adorable girls, the funny adventures of you and Bad Kitty...ha, you are just a joy to read. And thanks, now I'm going to have to make chocolate cupcakes today. YUM! Love the flower decor on those. Really cute.

[Kristin]

A second on the most favorite blog vote (although I do love MOMocrats, and I guess I should say I love my own blog the most...At just a few weeks old, we're not yet to your quality...)

Thanks, thanks, thanks for adding a bit of interest and joy to the day...

[LizP]

I don't remember how I came across your blog but I enjoy it immensely! Your food posts have inspired me to cook for my family more and my husband and the teenagers really appreciate this! Your political posts here and at MoMocrats have sparked some great discussions in our house (the older teenager will be 18 right before the Nov elections).

So thanks from the comments section :-)

[VDog]

Awwww, what a sweet post. It is funny how well we get to know each other. Most often, without ever meeting IRL.

I appreciate that you're a foodie, too. And that you gave us cupcakes today. AWESOME!

[Cheryl]

Thank you for posting this. Sometimes I wonder about online relationships, but when I think about all of the people who have touched my life in amazing ways (many of whom I may never meet) I am so grateful.

You're one of my favorite bloggers.

[To Think Is To Create]

I've been reading your blog for a long time, too. Three years I think? I am not always the best commenter, but I do appreciate this post. It's so true that these seemingly "harmless" interactions can change the course of our lives. The same thing has happened to me. Incredible!

`Arianne