Yesterday I was Freshly Pressed for the first time, and it was exhilarating. More than anything, the experience brought home to me what blogging is all about. It is about making connections. It is about sharing, about touching lives and being touched by theirs. It makes our world seem smaller and my life seem larger. I know the exhilaration will fade in a few days, but my understanding of and appreciation for blogging will not.
I have heard from people all over the world, and for the most part, we are so much more alike than we are different. I try to write about universal experiences most of the time: daredevil brothers, strong-willed elders, the antics of children, being a parent. Many of the comments had a common thread: I brought back memories, or whom I wrote about reminded them of someone else they knew.
I’ve been blogging for almost eleven months and am just now developing a small but faithful following which is reciprocated in my following their blogs as well. This group feels like friends. Most of them are on my blogroll, but not all because my blogroll was getting pretty lengthy. Through Freshly Pressed I have connected with a host of new bloggers and now I’m eager to see what they are up to. If you took the time to post a comment, thank you so much. I’m determined to answer every one of you and click on your site. It will take me awhile, but I’m looking forward to it!
Coming East 
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed! Exhilarating is a great word for the experience. 🙂
I enjoy your stories and writing so much. I’m glad you got more exposure through Freshly Pressed.
It was so nice while it lasted, but “fame” is short-lived, isn’t it! LOL! But you probably would never have found me otherwise, nor I you, and for that I am very thankful.
It’s so true that an experience like being Freshly Pressed reinforces what this is about — writing and making connections. I feel so lucky I’ve developed essentially friendships with people all over the world because of writing. It’s an amazing feeling! Congrats again!
Thanks, Leah. And I love that you are one of the ones I’ve connected with!
It is so very well deserved Susan. Congratulations and you deserve to bask in the glow of being recognized.
Juidth 🙂
Thanks for your kind comment, Judith. I’ve had one of my best friends visiting this week and haven’t been able to read all of my blogger friends blogs, so I’m looking forward to catching up this weekend.
Congrats!!! and true your posts always bring back memories for me. Not everyone can make routine life incidents sound so interesting. Good job!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Sarah. That makes me feel good!
I was excited to see your post on Fresh Pressed too! Connecting with you and reading your blog has been inspiring and entertaining. Congratulations!
Thank you so much. I feel the same about finding you!
Hi! I am new to your blog and I just wanted to congratulate you. I have read a few of your posts and loved them! Thank you for the great reading material and the inspiration to start my own blog.
What a nice comment! When you start your blog, come back and comment so I can follow you!
Hi CE – Congratulations! The rest of us “Never Been Pressed” bloggers will live vicariously through your description of how wonderful it is! Do tell all!
I thought it would never happen, so your turn is coming! And I will be right at the front of the line congratulating you! Thanks, Margie.
That’s awesome!! Congrats!
Thanks, Christine! I’ve been enjoying your blog, too.
Congrats! Actually your blog reminds me a lot of a friend’s blog called Once A Little Girl…You should check that one out as well. Your Freshly Pressed story was delightful! I’m looking forward to keeping up with your posts…
Thanks for the tip! I’ll check that blog out. And thank you for your comment.
I couldn’t agree more about every point. There is nothing better than reading the new blogs each day. Sometimes it has to be a quick skim over but normally a full going over.
I know; there are so many amazing blogs out there, but there aren’t enough hours in the day! Thanks for visiting mine!