Why do you blog ? Why WordPress ? 
It is a question I’ve been asked, most recently by a friend that goes back for 40 years. She is one of those folks you meet and just know you were meant to find each other.
We met in high school, in Orchestra. She played violin, I was the piano accompanist. We had gone to different elementary schools, but lived just a few blocks apart. The friendship blossomed.
We shared so many things as teens. She became the sister I wish I had in my birth family. There were no secrets. It was that kind of bond and has lasted through decades.
We were separated by life and geography, and wouldn’t reconnect in person until I moved back to the east coast. We met up at a high school reunion.
We had a lot of catching up to do. It was like picking up a conversation that we’d left just days before; the good relationships work that way.
Definition: BFF
She was in town on business, and we met a few days ago for an extended lunch; the kind where you tell the restaurant hostess to put you at a quiet table that they won’t need for a few hours.
She didn’t know it, but she is my connection to WordPress. Her father passed away in 2011 and was honored in a tribute on Facebook by her adult niece.
It was a heartfelt, beautifully written piece with a WordPress link. I explored a few other posts, and was hooked.
This was the right venue for me. I had kept a digital journal for some time, but this would allow me to open up, to share.
But…Whoa. Some of it was extremely personal, possibly damaging to family members. I had second thoughts and started to back off. I deleted some posts, password-protected a few others before realizing, I was just not ready.
That was early in 2012. I left and didn’t return until August of 2014.
This time, I was ready.
vanbytheriver 
I know what you mean, sometimes I worry about the things I post. I usually make sure it is okay with my family members, and my dad doesn’t go onto my site, so that helps. I am glad you returned to blogging, as I really enjoy your posts and getting to know you.
I’m really glad I came back too, Amy. It has been a true joy in my life. So many great writers, and even better, great people on here. Thanks for being one. đ
I was led here by an old friend that I reconnected with, too. He has a blog here, and by coincidence so does another of our mutual friends. I’m so glad I checked out his blog, because it gave me the idea to start one. One of the best things I’ve ever done. I’m glad you came back, Van. You’re one of the finest people I’ve met on here.
Such a sweet compliment, Julie. Thanks so much. đ
So glad you came back! I think there are many reasons to blog, and that the positive outcomes far outweigh any of the negatives. For me, it’s a real balance though, because I work. It’s hard to keep up with it all, honestly. But I would highly recommend it to anyone because I think the self-expression is so healthy and the social connectedness is more meaningful when it’s based on someone’s well-thought out words. At least that has been my experience so far.
I think I was concerned about opening that door a bit too wide and leaving some family members annoyed/embarrassed. It turns out that I’ve been able to keep the blog private and anonymous…a real plus for me. It has been nothing but positive as a result. Thanks, Kelly, as always, for your thoughtful input. đ
Yep, anonymity has a good home in blogland, that’s for sure! But sometimes it makes it hard to trust anybody. And I’m so gullible – have to reel myself in a lot!
I hear you ! âş
Like Nurse Kelly, I’m glad you came back. I love WordPress. As someone who had designed websites, I’m impressed by its functionality. I love the community, too. I came to blogging when my father-in-law was in sepsis. He survived, thankfully, but the threat of losing him stressed me, leading to hypomania and the need to write.
I didn’t mention it here, but I started in 2012 after the death of my sister to MS. I didn’t know how to channel all that manic energy. Then I had some of my own health issues, a misdiagnosed breast cancer, but I lived in an “altered state” for almost a year until it got resolved. I needed time to clear my head before I could write again. Thanks, Kitt, so glad to have connected with you. đ
Glad that your head is clear enough to write again. Welcome. Glad to have connected with you, as well. My mother-in-law and one of my best friends have MS. Once again, small world.
I’m so sorry, it is a devastating disease. She subjected herself to so many experimental treatments. It bought her time. She was diagnosed at 29.
I’m so happy for you and your long-time friend, Van â¤
We've talked hither thither about the why of blogging and my main reason was to master this medium. I had my first blog over 10 years ago and it sucked. Really, it did. I was bored with it. So when I came back this time, I really wanted it not to suck. Now some kind bloggers will say, "There's no way to blog wrong. You didn't suck." But they didn't see my first blog, LOL! My definition of a successful blog is that creating it and reading it are positive experiences.
Ten years ago I was on Blogger and just didn't like the interface and the weird things going on at the time (pot holder give-aways come to mind.) It all felt so stilted, trite, boring, confined. I wanted something more, something different.
Now I love WordPress, all of it's features, and how it is adapting socially. I may not be the best blogger but I'm competent, which is satisfying.
Don’t sell yourself short, Miss Angie, you’re so much more than competent. You’re one of my favorites and I can see the thought that goes into your blog. I’m glad you’re here. đ
Thank you, friend ⤠I'm glad that you can see my effort. Consistency is my latest challenge…as you may have noticed. Figuring it out đ
You do it all well, Angie. âş
And thank goodness for that! You came ready to lay it down. (Me too.)
There’s a wonderful quote about how your friends will know you better in the first minutes you meet than your acquaintances will know you in a lifetime (this is loosely paraphrased). The friendship you describe makes me think of that. –Colette
Thanks, Colette. I’ve often believed that if you come to the end of your life and can count your loyal, true friendships, even on one hand, you have been a success. I’ve had far more acquaintances than friends. I did come to “lay it down”, thanks for putting that into words…so grateful for you. đ
Thank you Van.
Glad to connect with you here. I’ve been more than pleased with WP and the people I’ve met. Sometimes bloggers share personal details about their lives. As a result, I’m often reminded of how much we humans have in common. I like that sense of communion.
That’s really one of the best features for me, Diana. It often gets real, and we are all so very much alike after all. Thanks for all you contribute. đ
Funny what gets you here, in your case more than once. Glad you decided to come back.
Thanks, George. Second time was the charm. âş
A non-writer friend recommended WordPress to me. I felt like I’d gone to heaven when I found writer-friends who wrote about things that matter. I love sharing my stories and becoming a part other lives
things that matter…that’s the difference !! âş
Glad you returned.
Thanks, Momma…p.s. Do you go by any other name ? I checked your “About” and couldn’t find one…just curious. Van
I came to WordPress because I was reading somebody else’s post. Having been advised to have a blog, I saw the thing asking if I’d want to have a blog and I thought it was a sign… And I’ve carried on. Good you found it.
Thanks, Olga. And thanks for posting in Spanish, I’m enjoying the read. âş
You are a smart woman, Van. I publish now, worry later. đ
More seriously, because of my newspaper journalist career prior to my WordPress start in February 2013, my filter about potentially damaging statements was firmly in place. What remains interesting to me is the anonymity factor. Because my name and even face was already out in my community because of newsprint and online columns, I made them the title and gravatar of my blog without a second thought. The more I immersed myself in the ways of BloggyVille, it interested me how dearly many bloggers hold their true identity, their privacy in real life, and aim to keep this world and the real world separate in an attempt to protect themselves and loved ones. I supposed that does allow more freedom to fearlessly drop the hammer. I’m still glad I’m who I am, though, because of tie-ins to other community blogs and a myriad of reasons. To each their own.
There are times for sure, Mark, that I’d love to just scream out my ID and bag the anonymity. But…and there’s always a but…there are things I want to/ have said that would be hurtful to birth family and my own adult children. So, for now…it is “Van”…and that’s ok.
p.s. Thanks for spending time catching up with so much of my stuff. I’m honored. I know when I miss a week or so of this “Bloggyville”, I give up on catching up…overwhelmed. You’re a better man than I am, Charlie Brown !! âş