Things as They Really are Around Here

Once upon a time . . .

The sad truth is I haven’t written a blog in so long I don’t remember how to start and “once upon a time” is the only sort of beginning that comes to mind.

So . . . once upon a time I showed up at the Frog Blog and said, “Hey, I don’t know much about writing in general, and nothing at all about blogging in particular, but I’ve committed to hang out around here every Friday. Please come talk to me! I’ll probably never contribute much that’s meaningful, but maybe you will.”

You did! (come to talk) and you did! (contribute meaningfully). In fact, many of you have shared your hopes and dreams and plans and frustrations to the extent that I feel I know you better than I do some of my next-door neighbors. (Forgive me, Elder Bednar, I have sinned.*)

That was the beginning of the story. My particular plot twist involved a curse (cancer) and the lack of moral fortitude to do much about it besides retreat to the nearest cave and feel sorry for myself. So, while some of you kept coming week after week, I repeatedly stood you up – and the Frog disappeared entirely. For my part, I’m sorry. (Not to mention embarrassed and maybe even a little mortified.) I saw in Wednesday’s comment trail that it might be too late to ask some of you for another chance, but could I at least beg forgiveness? Please? It would help me sleep better at night. And anybody else who still wanders by from time to time . . . well . . . want to talk? I do! And I’ll show up from now on. (If only with weak excuses or fabulous guests.) I promise.

Kerry

*If I’m going to refer to Elder Bedner up there, I figure I ought to explain down here. This month’s Ensign contains the text of a CES Fireside the apostle gave at BYU-I in May of last year. “Things as They Really Are” addresses—among other deeply significant life lessons—the danger of disconnecting physically (and, by association, spiritually) when spending too much unproductive time online.

He said, “. . . important opportunities are missed for developing and improving interpersonal skills, for laughing and crying together, and for creating a rich and enduring bond of emotional intimacy.” He talks about how important it is to “feel the warmth of a tender hug . . . or to see the sincerity in the eyes of another person as testimony is shared—all of these things experienced as they really are through the instrument of our physical body . . .”

Let me be among the first to add a hearty, heartfelt “Amen!” That said, many of the relationships I have developed through this blog are surely as rich and enduring as the friendships I have with people I lay eyes upon every few days. I don’t believe you always have to look into a person’s eyes to see into their heart. And I don’t think Elder Bednar believes you do either, despite the “sinning” quip. His criteria for meaningful use of technology? 1) Sites that invite the companionship of the Holy Ghost and 2) communication that enlarges one’s capacity “to live, to love, and to serve.”

As Alison Palmer points out in a terrific sidebar article a dozen pages later in the same issue, the Internet can be a life preserver for those of us who have taken up residence in caves. Today I truly feel the need to thank each of you for helping me live and love and feel the Spirit. I hope to take Alison’s advice to heart and begin to better serve in any way I can.

Come back next week to check on my progress, okay? I miss you!