Thursday, July 17, 2008

It's A Small World After All!

(Edited to add:  The photo I have had on this blog post for the last three years has been removed at the request of someone who contacted me by email.  I had found the photo in a site that I thought, in my innocence, was a free to the public site.  The person who contacted me said it belonged to a photographer for their group and, in order to protect the rights of the photographer, I was asked to either remove the photo or pay fifty dollars for the use of it.  I'm sorry this happened and that I have lost the photo that I felt gave added effect of my words but it is a lesson learned.  It would have been nice if permission had been given but since it was not, I have chosen to honor the unknown photographer who claims this as their own.  You cannot trust ANY source online and you don't know who will contact you after much time has passed and claim rights you never intended to dishonor.  In the meantime, my words are not diminished.  The impact of the message I shared without intention to harm are the same.  At some time I will add a photo that will apply so that my blog can continue to have visual interest.  At that time the photo will not be anything that anyone can claim as theirs!  In the meantime, I must say that I'm not comfortable now, wondering who is out there waiting to lay claim to others I may have shared.  People are watching us as we share from our hearts.  They are searching blogs and websites to find their work and to protect what is theirs.  Be cautious!  Be very cautious!  There are those who would claim work as their own and may indeed even blur the 'real' credits so that you, in innocence and with good intention and ignorance - and a pure heart and motive - will be caught in the trap that caught me.  You don't know who will, at some time, claim it as their own and request payment for its use.  It is a  wake-up call worth giving heed to!)

The world seems to be getting smaller all the time! Through the wonderful world of blog I have met such wonderful people. Not only in Oregon or in the United States - but friends from all around the world. Who would have thought that this would happen in our lifetime? I wouldn't have believed it possible when I was young. It amazes me that I can sit in the comfort of my home here in Oregon and communicate with someone a world away!

A few days ago a comment was added to one of my posts - a comment from someone I had not yet 'met'. As I read it I became so excited. Not only was this someone new to add to my list of blog friends, she told me of a dear friend of hers who lives in my area and commented how funny it would be if I knew her friend. I could hardly wait to tell her that I DO know her dear friend! Since Margie in the UK does not have a blog and I do not know how to email her please allow me to 'talk' to her through this post.

Dear Margie - I DO know your friend, Mary, in Oregon City. I first met her when my father was admitted to Hospice shortly before he died five years ago. She came to my parents' home and we immediately loved her. She was so kind and caring, so compassionate and loving. My family mentions her often when we talk about those days. But that's not where it ends. About three years later I took the Hospice Volunteer Training Course in Oregon City. Mary was the group instructor/leaderof that class. I learned to know so much more about her and came to appreciate not only who she is through Hospice but quite a few of her talents and things that touch her heart. Several things came into my life that prevented me from actually working with Mary as a Hospice volunteer but it was such an important part of my life. My heart was there but God took me in another direction. As a chaplain in skilled nursing facilities I often draw on the things I learned from Mary.

Now isn't that amazing? But that's not all. Not only do I know Mary - her husband is in management for the company where my sweetheart works. They know each other and have had a number of conversations through the years. Not long ago my sweetheart went to their home to pick up a piece of equipment that Mary's husband offered to loan him. While picking up or returning that equipment my sweetheart had a wonderful conversation with Mary. Oh, one more thing - Mary and I see each other at our husband's company picnic each year.

I feel honored that you have added my blog to your list of favorites. I hope you will come back and visit often. Please feel free to email me if you would like to. If you ever come to see Mary, please don't forget that I am in the area - just nine miles away from her office. I would LOVE to visit with you face-to-face. In the meantime I hope to hear from you again and I hope that you will be a regular part of this blog community that I have come to know and love.

It's a world of laughter
A world of tears
It's a world of hopes
And a world of fears
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all.

There is just one moon
And one golden sun
And a smile means Friendship to ev'ryone
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small world after all.

It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world

Song: 'It's A Small World'
Written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Editted to say that I received a sweet email from Margie. I was thrilled! Now we can communicate directly. It would really be fun to meet some day.

13 comments:

  1. Wow, That is so neat!
    I love the way blogging keeps me in contact with family & friends!

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  2. What a nice coincidence! You surely write a nice letter, thanks for letting us read along too!

    Katherine

    I just posted part2 about scrapbooking.

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  3. What a heart warming post. It IS a small world after all!

    I checked out your lovely black eyed susan vine.....it's beautiful!
    Hugs, Debrak

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  4. Oh, how marvelous! Isn't is just amazing you actually knew this lady? Blogging is just wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing it.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  5. How amazing. It truly is a small and wonderful world.

    Blogging offers us such a unique fellowship.

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  6. Wow!! It truly is a small world!

    Oh, and by the way, I love the pink roses in your header!! Fabulous!!!

    Warmest and biggest bear hugs, Aleta

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  7. This sounds so neat. I love the way blogging connects people.

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  8. I always love to come here and read all your uplifting stories... you have a talent to make people close to God.... and I appreciate that...

    pd: Your home town Portland is gorgeous and we had such a great time there....

    Hugs

    cielo

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  9. that is the neatest thing...to meet someone you already have a connection with...
    isn't blogging a wonderful thing!!!

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  10. I'm still in awe of this internet journey, one click away from it all lol.
    I love email as well, but I still enjoy sending personal handwritten homemade cards to friends.
    Ministry wise it has been a blessing meeting new sisters through blogging.I'm glad I got met you as well.

    Hugz Lorie

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  11. What a sweet letter to a new friend! It is a small world and this bloggy world has made it just a bit smaller. When I talk to other people about something I've learned from one of my bloggy friends, I have noticed recently that a lot of time I don't even mention the blog anymore, I just simply say "my friend".

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  12. What a great blogging outcome! God uses everything to connect us, doesn't he?

    Hugs,
    Lallee

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I am grateful that you stopped by to visit me. Your kind and gracious comments are appreciated and treasured.