Gratitude Friday

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I just spent a few minutes looking at several blog sites. Many that I don't read every day. Many of you get read EVERY weekday. What I came up with this morning is how grateful I am for the creative internet community. I can become a world traveler in minutes. I can visit with others. I can share with them. I find continual inspiration from them. Many of you have become my friends.

I try to leave several comments each day with people. But the one comment I often forget to say - Thank you. This covers many things. Thanks for gifts. Thanks for making me think. Thanks for giving me a reason to act on something. Thanks for sharing that tiny part of your life for me to read.

Yesterday - one of my really good friends left me a voice message on my cell phone. It went like this -- "good morning my friend. I saw your truck at the coffee shop and wanted you to know that I was thinking about you. By the time you will get this, I will be answering the phone and helping students, but I wanted to take a minute and tell you have a good day. Love you." Seems like such a small thing, but it had a huge impact on my day.




Then as I was reading this morning a post started with "I am sorry about the rant from..... " I want to comment. Do not apologize unless you were mean, ugly or unjust in your rant. Allow the cyber friends to build you back up. To encourage you. To be true and open friends is to know all of the sides to a person. I try really hard to make MaggieGraceCreates a positive place, but when I am low, it shows. And I thank each one of you for reaching back out to me when that happens and helping to build me back up.

I have been fortunate. I have only had a few "ugly" comments. Some have been just innappropriate for the image here. Some have been mean and spiteful. I refuse to respond to them. (Most won't let you - they hide behind the word anonymous or use a deadend blog address) I hold onto the right to simply delete them.

I do however appreciate every comment that adds to a conversation or inspiration around a subject. I try to respond to each one, and I may not have done so lately. Blogger seems to be having problems notifying me of the new ones. Please don't be offended, if I haven't responded. I promise I read the comments everyday. I am not offended if I don't get a response to a comment I have left. However, I will say, that the simple act of leaving a comment or sending a return email, has brought me together with some of my absolute favorite people.



This journey has drawn me in. I have become more creative. I have become more thoughtful. My poor family endures phrases like "that would be a great post" and "I need a picture of that for my blog". Many of you have challenges that increase my skills and make me stretch just a little farther. Many of you have tutorials that are incredibly helpful. I have learned so much from you.

We are a diverse crew. Representing many races, cultures, ages, educational status, economic status, marital status, and on and on. I have to say. I never think about any of those things as I read a blog. I love lifestyle posts on blogs. I love reading about your kids, your jobs, your pets, all of that. I love seeing your homes, your spaces, your gardens, your family. I love all of that. I love know what inspires you. What your favorite colors are. I love playing along in your memes and your challenges. It is tons of little things that make up this big thing.

I cruise over to flickr and I look at your eye candy. God knows I love looking at your shops - I could seriously be broke all the time spending money with you. I love your recipes - your organizing tips - activities for kids. Travel reports. Product reviews.

Simply put - I am glad to "know" YOU. Each and everyone of you. Thank You for all that you do.

Today I am grateful for you - if you have read just one word of my ramblings - thank you. Regular readers and those who leave comments - thank you. Local friends -who come here and encourage me - thank you.

I leave this gushing thank you post with a request and a quote.

REQUEST- give me up to three words or descriptive phrases that define HOME for you.

THE QUOTE - Is anybody happier because you passed his way?

I am happier because you passed my way. I hope I have made you happier by passing yours.

Have a fabulous weekend.