We are oceans filled with light
When I first started blogging three months ago I had no idea how many lovely, talented and unique people I would meet. I’ve travelled (virtually) from Russia to America to Africa and back. I’ve seen beautiful photos from around the globe and even from space. I’ve laughed and I’ve cried and I’ve hugged – a lot!
When I read the comments on my posts I feel as if my readers are the writers and I am the merely the student. They are so thoughtful and rich – sometimes heart-wrenching and sometimes side-splitting!
I went on a road trip last month and was flattered to received so many blogging awards. Thank you to all those who have passed these on to me. I’m working on a response so please don’t think I’ve forgotten you!
Last week I was contacted by a blogger (Danielle) who wanted to write a response to my Memory-Go -Round post – but it deserved a page of its own. Then Rick Mallery (who has recently reviewed one of my books – thank you Rick) must have been going through my older posts and sent me a comment on Characters and Writing. Two days ago I received a comment from a beautiful woman (Donna) on my Memories take us back – dreams take us forward post. I was so touched by her comment that I decided to dedicate separate pages solely to readers’ feelings, memories and dreams.
I will still carry on doing my usual posts but I have created a new link above called Memories and Dreams. If you have the time, please look at these pages now and again because they are special – they come from you 🙂
It’s been a fantastic three months and I’m looking forward to so much more of the same xo
Dianne Gray author 
What a wonderful idea, to share your space with others whose words have an impact on you! Brilliant! And it’s only been three months? it seems like so much more, in a good, wonderful way! xo
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I would love to have something up here from you, Bonnie (I’m still going through all the comments). If you ever feel like it – just let me know 🙂
My email address is in the Memories and Dreams link 😉
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Oh, aren’t you the best! That would be such an honor…I will have to let that idea simmer and see what might fit… xoxo
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Looking forward to it! 🙂
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Hi Dianne. That’s a great idea; it’s almost like the “guest book” page of pre-Internet 2.0 yesteryear. It’s a nice way to keep especially thoughtful comments prominent on the site, and to make your blog more of a shared space between author (you) and readers.
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Hi Janna – a lot of the comments I get are fantastic. I really feel if you’re going to come to my blog and spend the time to read and comment then I should be able to give something back:) You are another blogger I would love to do a page about 🙂
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Thanks, Dianne. I’m sure I’ll be able to contribute something soon. 🙂
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Wonderful 🙂
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I admire how you always take the time to reply to all your comments, Dianne!
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Thank you, Rick! My pleasure 🙂
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Hi Dianne 🙂
I’ve nominated you for an award but please don’t feel obligated to accept.
You’ll find all the info here…
Xx
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Thank you, Vikki – this is wonderful 🙂 I’m a bit backed up at the moment, but I’ll respond soon. I’m going over to your blog now to check it out 😀
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This is a lovely idea, Dianne, and so thoughtful!
I remember when our ginger and white cat, Sophie, died a number of years ago, I didn’t want our family to forget her, so we created a memory jar. We bought a pretty big one, about her size, and each member of the family wrote their favourite memories on coloured cards and placed them inside the jar. I put a photo of her in there too, one of her soaking up the sunshine in the garden near a Bottlebrush and a Crepe Myrtle, so peaceful and content, a red collar around her neck with a gold nameplate bearing the sweet, simple name Sophie. The vet’s secretary had sent us a beautifully written card about our love for Sophie and that went in too. The jar now sits on our bookshelf with other family mementos and so in a way, she’s always with us wherever we go. Memories intact.
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Oh, Justin – this is so beautiful! I think I’ll put this on a page if that’s okay with you 🙂
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That’s so touching, thank you. Yes, please do, Sophie can then have another place to be remembered.
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😀
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I’ll let you know when 🙂
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Awww.. a lot of people are being touched by your kind words Miss Dianne 😉 You deserve them.
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Thank you, my darling! I’ve just stopped in at your blog and left a little congrats message 🙂
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I think your new page really touches the heart. I look forward to reading more stories from your other followers 🙂
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Maybe you as well 🙂
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Woah! It made me think. Haha. Good luck Madam 🙂 Surely a lot of people will get inspired 🙂
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There is one thing I learnt, that seems now, so long ago… when I started writing articles on a site dedicated for it… I started as a way of teaching myself how to write, something I hated at school, being more of a mathematician than linguist.. This site availed others to comment and read, I never joined that site for reads or comments, I joined it as a learning curve… however when I started to get comments I always answered them, feeling if they had taken the time to read I should take the time to answer… After 217 articles 65 000 reads and thousands of comments I decided it was now a full time job and left the writing… (I do have other things to do).. I then started to blog.. to share my photos.. and if one got a few comments wonderful… the point I’m making, is that here I have found a different audience and a different commenting style… here one is far more friendly and personal, and here one actually makes friends.
This has been far less pressurised and I enjoy being able to say what I feel.. and when a comment is replied to, saying you “made my day/ smile/ laugh/ etc” one feels more connected…
I find myself reading not only the articles or posts or blogs call them what you will but the comments I’ve found just as enlightening and in many cases helpful to our own situation..
Dianne.. I’ve got a little off the subject, but by sharing others comments made, it is so helpful to those who’s circumstances have not been expressed, but who get such help by the other comments that have been made…
I think by sharing these comments one can be so helpful… not all want others to know their circumstances…
Have I made a point here or have I just been verbose and more confusing..??
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This is wonderful! Such a beautiful sentiment and I know exactly where you are coming from. I have found the blogs I follow and those who follow me to be inspiring – and I have learned so much! Your post on the unveiling of the monument for those lost in Rhodesia’s 9/11 attack was so incredibly moving I thought about it for a week after I read it. This is something I would never have known about if it weren’t for you and I thank you for that. We need to know these things and no matter how painful they are, they must be brought to light. The other image I have of you (I’m not sure why, maybe it’s because I’m afraid of heights) is the picture of you sitting on the edge of a precipice! You have shown me pictures of Egyptian geese, the African Stonechat, the Purple-crested Turaco and so many more that I would never have seen (or even knew existed!)
I’d really like your comment on a page of its own. Is that okay with you? 🙂
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You are so welcome to use what ever you like…
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Thank you 🙂
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That is so nice of you and I loved reading they’re stories…
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Thank you so much, Maggie – you know I have my sights on you 😀
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I can send you a sad story if you want…
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If you don’t mind sharing it – I’m sure it will be very moving. I love your writing…
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I have an idea, I’ll send a short excerpt from my book… if thats okay?
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Please do. My email address is in the Memories and Dreams link above 🙂
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That’s such a lovely idea 🙂
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Thank you, Virginia! 🙂
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Thank you for visiting my blog Dianne. I came to visit yours and read that I feel the same way you do about bloggers who truly care and have so much support and creativity to share. I am truly inspired with those new friends I am making here and there.
I look forward to getting to know you better so I will be “seeing” you around. 🙂
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Thank you for dropping by, Patricia 🙂 I’m so glad you’re enjoying this blogging world. Looking forward to following your journey 🙂
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It’s a pleasure to be your reader =)
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Aw – Tina! That is such a sweet thing to say 🙂
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That’s such a great idea! I’ll definitely be keeping tabs on this.
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Oh – thank you. I’ve had some wonderful ones come in:)
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Isn’t WordPress amazing? So many wonderful people here, and the trips you can take anywhere on earth just by setting at your desk! Glad to be one of your readers. 🙂
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Thank you, John! Its so true. There are so many amazing people and amazing stories out there – I’m very excited about this 🙂
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How thoughtful and appreciative to recognise your readers. The Internet is such a great medium to meet your readers and build up a sort if ‘online’ friendship with them. It’s connections like this that can really make one person’s day that little bit better :0)
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So right, Dan. Sometimes the responses I get make me really happy and other times they make me feel really grounded and soberly appreciative of my life and what I have 🙂
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I’m so glad that you have such many inspiring readers. It must be really good to be on the other side if the screen reading all those beautiful comments. Thank you for writing. I really like your blog a lot. Please keep writing.
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Thank you so much. It is amazing how many wonderful people are out there. It’s really opened my eyes to the world 😀
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My friend, your light shines bright! I shall visit your new pages!
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Thank you my darling! 🙂 (you may be next) 😀
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I understand totally what you mean about the comments we receive. I appreciate each one and feel such a rapport with many of those who visit my blog. 🙂
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You also have a wonderful list of caring people, Ad. I’m sure the comments you recieve are touching and heartwarming because you have a lovely ray of sunshine about you 🙂
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What a lovely idea, Dianne. I love the comments that I get on my blog, too. Some are full-fledged stories and others are small bites of life. I treasure each one because they all serve to show me that what I wrote spoke to them on one level or another. I keep blogging, even when I’m tired and sore, because this is the place where my words come to life, intermingling with words from someone else.
I enjoyed reading your new Memories and Dreams page. Each of those people really had remarkable things to say. No wonder you built a page to showcase them. 🙂
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What a lovely sentiment – I love “I keep blogging, even when I’m tired and sore, because this is the place where my words come to life, intermingling with words from someone else.” Fantastic! 😀
I remember one comment from ‘Invisible Mikey’ about dreams where he told me he’d had a dream the previous evening about being on a cruise ship and he put on a dress for laughs, only to be pursued romantically by William Shatner. I laughed for about an hour!
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This is a wonderful idea you have with “Memories and Dreams.” It’s a great way for your readers to learn more about each other. Nicely done!
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I just couldn’t resist! There are so many wonderful people and stories out there. So many times I’ve read comments and thought, ‘Oh, I really hope everyone reads this!’ But I know a lot of people don’t have the time to go through every comment. This was the only way I thought it may work 🙂
If you have any thoughts or comments let me know so I can include you 🙂
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That is such an amazingly sweet and thoughtful thing to do. However, I can honestly say that in the interactions I’ve had with you and from reading your blog sweet and thoughtful seem to be very accurate words to describe you.
xx
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Aw – Rilzy – you’re making me blush! Thank you 😀
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Congrats on your awards! They’re well deserved!
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Thank you so much, Jessica! I feel a little guilty that I haven’t dedicated a page to them – but I will soon 🙂
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I love that photo; opens the mind and heart to a cavalcade of possibilities. Glad to have met you via blogging. 🙂 Blog on!
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Thank you, Anna. The photo is pretty cool – I found it on the public domain images page 😀
So glad to have met you too!
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I love how we inspire each other in the blogging world and as you say, touch hands across the water.
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That is so wonderful 🙂
PS – I loved the pictures of Dylan, he’s so lucky to have such a caring, thoughtful Oma 🙂
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What a lovely idea! I want to visit Australia very badly if there are more people there like you (:
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Thank you so much, Lauren! What a lovely compliment 😀
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The memories and Dreams tab is a nice idea. I’m glad you’ve been touched by the meaningful feedback. You really do have a nice blog here 🙂
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Thank you, Janna – your comment means a lot to me 🙂
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It´s wonderful to be in touch with so many people around the world, isn´t it Dianne?
The internet has made the world a much smaller place. 🙂
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This is so true, Marianne. Thank you so much for stopping by – I really appreciate it 🙂
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Love the sparkles.
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Pretty cute 🙂
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You are brilliant. I love this post and agree with you. Some of the words people have written gift me with confidence and a smile. I thank you, and many others, for those.
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Oh, thank you so much! I’m blushing.
I love your blog – you weave words so beautifully 🙂
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Thank you! I know I tend to lurk more, but I love your blog as well.
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What a lovely thing to do. Has it really only been 3 months?
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Yes – it feels like a lifetime! 🙂
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I really love how you connect with your viewers.
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Thank you so much 🙂
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Great idea, Dianne! As it happens, it’s been hardly a month since I’ve started blogging; so naturally my ‘blogging’ vision is still blurry.. As soon as I get to know more people, I’m surely going to implement this idea! Great as usual, by the way!!! 😀 🙂
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I’ll need to look through my comments again – I’m sure there’s more there that can go up here 😀
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