When I first joined ActiveRain almost four years ago, I spent some time thrashing around as a clueless newbie, trying to figure out how to do this blogging thing. AR wasn't the only real estate blogging site I was trying, but the others were basically black holes - there didn't seem to be any community and I couldn't figure out how to connect with anyone there.
ActiveRain seemed to be different. There was a lot going on here, and people seemed friendly and welcoming. It looked like a good place to hang out, and develop new skills. And it was surprisingly easy to get involved, simply because a few members took the time to give me a little encouragement and positive feedback.
All of us here know how important that can be. A kind word at the beginning can make a tremendous difference in whether we stick out those first confusing months. And I'll always feel indebted to those members who took the time to help me - Anna Banana Kruchten, Chris Ann Cleland, Lenn Harley and Suzanne McLaughlin. For Debbie Reynolds' Singing in the Rain contest, I can't write about Anna, Chris Ann or Lenn, even though I want to, because I've already talked to them.
And while I have also talked to Suzanne many times, the rules allow me to write about her because, unfortunately, Suzanne hasn't written a post since the end of September. The reason for that has a lot to do with some big changes and personal challenges that took a lot of time to deal with, but that's mostly done now, and we need Suzanne back.
So I called her and nagged her unmercifully to get her blogging mojo back, to hang out here more and take care of the community the way she used to. I miss her lovely localism posts about St Michaels and Albertville, MN - their focus on resources for the elderly and less fortunate so clearly communicate what a caring and giving person she is. I miss her humor and her point of view. And I miss seeing her give a boost up to her latest newbie find.
But that's just me. Meanwhile, new members join every day, and they need mentors, people like Suzanne who will reach out to them and give them that all important early support and guidance. And those of us who are old-timers can still benefit from the example set by Suzanne's dedication to doing this.
She says she'll be back soon, and I'm looking forward to that. But it wouldn't hurt if you dropped her a note or gave her a call, and let her know you miss her too.
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