Since Zoe is back to her school program I usually spend some of my "alone time" food shopping. As I walk up and down the aisles I usually see at least one Mom of one of Zoe's classmates (because we all enjoy food shopping alone while they are in school... it's Heaven!). We acknowledge each other, maybe chat a tiny bit and continue down the aisles. Occasionally I come across another Mom I recognize. Usually it's someone from one of our YMCA classes. Sometimes if we can sense we recognize each other we'll say hello... other times if we can't quite place each other (outside of "hey, that's a mom") we just smile and move on (hey... our quiet alone time in Heaven in limited!)
Yesterday, across the produce area, I saw a Mom I recognized from a Y class from before last summer. Too far away to say hello... and you're not going to catch me waving across the produce section to get the attention of an acquaintance from 6 months ago (or a good friend for that matter... remember... alone time). So I just continued shopping.
I made it all the way to the frozen food section where this other Mom and I met up. She started with the awkward "Hi... aren't you Zoe's Mom? We had a class together at the Y... etc." I responded with the equally awkward "Yes, and you're Sasha's mom***... how are you?" After the required polite chat she suddenly said something that gave me a slight shock. "I just wanted to say I found your blog online."
Gasp.
Realization.
Actual real life people that I am acquainted with might actually be reading. I mean I know my Mom reads (Hi Mom!) and my in-laws (Hi Mom and Dad!) and my husband (Hi Nick!). I know that when I share Zoe's pictures through Snapfish monthly I include the blog site address (Hi friends and family!). (And by the way... where are your comments friends and family... I know you're out there). I also know that I've gathered (accumulated? attracted? made online friends with?) quite a number of regular readers... people from all over the world who just happened across my blog and enjoyed my stories.
This was the first time someone actually came up to me and let me know she knew me and she'd come across my blog. After the initial shock (which lasted all of .3 seconds) I listened as she explained her new baby girl (born last spring) had been diagnosed with hip dysplasia and was in a pavlick harness. She'd done a search and came across the post I had done which gave a brief Zoe/Mommy history. She said she read a bit and suddenly realized "Hey! I know her!". We chatted for 5 or 10 minutes. We talked about how her daughter was doing in the harness, how Zoe was doing, and realized they are going to the same orthopedic doctor (simultaneously commented on his recent mountain man beard). She said it was nice to see how Zoe was and that she was now a "normal toddler"... running, jumping, climbing... no hip trouble. I told her how 2 years ago I couldn't find much of anything online about hip dysplasia (mostly medical sites... and very few of those)... and now when I did a random search I would come across tons of information, especially from Mom's just telling how they coped... and how their kids are. It was nice to hear that something I wrote helped someone a little bit.
I have to laugh a little at one thing she said. She said something like "don't worry, I'm not spying on you." It struck me as a little funny. I can see where she's coming from... there are a lot of people out there reading and not commenting. (I know you're there... site meter tells me so! Over 6000 visits... but nowhere near 6000 comments!!! Quit lurking people... comment a little!) But, I don't consider it "spying". I'm out here in the internet writing in the hopes of being read. I would love for people to comment if something strikes them... but I'm happy to know that some people are out there getting something out of what I have to tell.
So... Sasha's Mom***... and whoever else is out there... feel free to keep coming back. I really do hope you all enjoy keeping up with Zoe's (and my) happenings and developments! And, if the mood strikes you... leave a comment, or send me an e-mail!
*** Why is it I can remember every single kid's name in no time... but for the life of me can never remember a Mom's name????? We should be given a lovely name tag pin when our children are born. One that says our name and kid's name. You know "Hi, I'm Colleen. I'm Zoe's Mom." or "Zoe's Mom aka Colleen".
13 comments:
How cool is that? I have often wondered if this might ever happen to me now that I've moved back to civilization and actually see people.
The parent's name thing...me, too. When I had my children's gymnastics program I saw over 300 children per week and never forgot a child's name. But I could only call parents by "so and so's mom or dad".
Hi Sasha's Mom! Enjoyed your story. A friend asked me why I don't put my blog link on my emails to friends. I'm still pondering that question...
That's awesome!
I have to opposite problem...I think sometimes I weird people out because I remember their names or their kids' names. BUT I'M A TEACHER...names just stick with me. If you said a student's name I taught 6 years ago, I could probably tell you his mother AND father's names (even if they were divorced or lived 1000 miles apart), what part of town the child lived in, if he took medication or not, etc, etc, etc. But don't ask me to balance my checkbook or even remember the last place I wrote a check if I forgot to write it down.
I'm glad you've written something to help someone. I think the spying thing is okay. I love knowing people are reading my blog. Makes me feel like all my blog time isn't wasted!
wow, how cool is that! how awesome to run into a reader IRL. I had a similar moment today when my FIL referred to something on my blog, and I realized he and my MIL regulalry read it! I'd had no idea, LOL. But I think it's cool!
And YES, me too on the kids name/moms name thing. I sometimes think I might as well change my name to "Nadia's Mommy." :o)
I created Harrison's blog for friends and family, are they really reading it? Not too sure. Well, with the exception of my SIL. That's cool that someone "found" you!
Name thing, I agree with all the above, except for Natalie, I don't think it's weird that she remembers all names, I ENVY her!! LOL! (And I STILL can't find my checkbook!)
I know that feeling of realizing, oh, yeah, people who actually know me might read this. I always have to pump my mind to think, did I embellish anything this person knows about, this person who know I am a poser. :)
I actually divided my blog into two: a public photo blog and a private journal blog...I don't want strangers reading specific details about our lives and I got tired of censoring myself. :)
Fun, great that she found you as a resource, too!
And I'll have to look you up at Nablo!
Although I don't have any kids myself, I noticed that happening to me at a party. About 10 kids (and their parents) were at the party and I quickly learned the names of all the kids but not of the parents. Maybe it was because the parents were dressed in Jersey suburbiawear and the kids were more identifiable or maybe it was that it was less likely that the parents were running around and picking up things that they shouldn't.
TheJerseyTomato
That is very cool.
And the whole __'s mom thing? Get used to it. :)
(Hi, Sasha's Mom!)
Okay, i just found your blog through someone's blogroll (sorry, I don't remember) Anyway, I found this post interesting because I just posted something like it on my blog. My story is that I feel weird when I run into people that don't know me, but I've been reading their blog....so weird. I feel as though I am spying or doing something wrong.....blogging is awesome though, isn't it?!! I will have to catch up on your blog. I am not a good writer or creative person, but I try to "journal" sort of, and most of the time it is sensored! :) donna g. www.bitburggirl.wordpress.com
So freaky that you've mentioned this.At the moment my Bestie has had to delete her blog and is in trouble with her work because someone 'stumbled' across her blog and didn't share her sense of humour. I personally don't think you can 'stumble' across a blog which has pseudonyms etc unless you KNOW something about it!! She is absolutely gutted and can't believe that a light hearted blog mainly for family and friends has caused so much trouble.
Imagine my surprise. I forgot to tell the story of running into Colleen at Stop & Shop to my husband until today. I pulled the blog up to show him and found this post. Thanks Colleen, for the personalized post and thanks again for being a good resource when I needed it it. I'm sure I'll see you around town sometime soon.
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