I am constantly amazed at how many friends and acquaintances I've made just by being a part of the WWW. Truly.
Years ago I participated heavily in a forum, now a Yahoo group, of likeminded decorative painters. We chatted about paints, brushes, and techniques, which then evolved into discussions of friends and family, and so on. As time went on and technology got better and faster, we started sharing photos of our work, babies, pets, friends and families.
Even then in the days of dial up (and we though it was FAST! <smile>) there were folks popping in from all over the world -- China and Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Argentina and Peru. The list goes on and on.
Today I am touched by the comments of a painting friend from Israel who popped in to my e-mail just to say "Hi" and "I haven't seen you much lately, how've you been?"
When I started my real estate career, one of my biggest personal challenges was giving up hours of painting time and devoting myself to the new career. I don't have much chance to paint anymore, and yet these friends from all around the world still care and still drop by now and then just to be sure that the wolrd turns in my little corner.
The paint brushes still call now and then, although far less than they used to ... and I no longer have a chance to lock myself away in a studio and just make a mess (what fun!). But friends remain and I am so grateful! I guess in many ways this speaks to the influence of blogging and Web sites. You just never know who you touch and who will become a life long friend.
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