Almost Viral

I suspect if you were to ask most bloggers why they blog, they would say something like, I write for myself.  I love to write.  That’s what carries some of us through the days of fewer views and one or two comments.   I’ve certainly said just that but I’ve also checked Bud’s Blog at the end of the day … particularly on a day that I’ve posted something I like … only to be disappointed that there are no comments.  That’s particularly likely to happen on the weekends, when readers are inclined to be busy and I’m inclined to post on more serious subjects.   Every one of us likes to be read.   I think we all dream of a post going viral, reaching thousands … no millions … of readers, bringing new readers and hundreds of comments, including an offer from New Yorker Magazine.   Could happen.  Right.  We also love when our posts touch someone, make them smile … laugh … cry … think.

Sunday, I posted Faceless, centered on a memorial to John Berry I found along the trail behind Yorba Regional Park.  John was the homeless man murdered over a week ago here in Anaheim Hills, and a letter pinned to a tree talked about a six year friendship with John.  The letter touched me deeply and Faceless was the result.   Within an hour I received a lovely comment from chattingwithspirit, who lives in Hampton, Southern England.  Thank you for opening my eyes, she said.  I posted a link to Faceless on Facebook (hmmm) as I do sometimes when I particularly like a post.  Sunday my regulars showed up to comment.  I love you, regulars.  Monday, things got interesting.   My views began to climb … by nine a.m. I had more views than I do all day most times.   Lovely comments showed up from two people, Carolyn and Abagail, who knew John Berry.   That night, as I was writing Monday Smiles, another comment popped up.  It began, Dear Oldereyes, I am the one who left the note. Someone tagged me on facebook when they posted your blog.  It was from Krista, the woman who had left the note by the trail.  I was astonished.  She left a long and beautiful comment about her friendship with John Berry.

Faceless has had almost 300 views since Sunday.  That’s not exactly viral but it’s close enough for Older Eyes.   It’s been posted on the Facebook page of  the remembering John Berry homeless memorial group, a group I’ve since joined.  I consider that an honor since I was the guy who never talked to John, that joined his fan club posthumously.  I learned that Abigail is John’s niece.  I’ve had lovely Facebook comments on my post from family and friends, one in particular from my daughter, who said, Your blog post has touched so many people! I am so proud that you are my dad!  Gulp.

Many years ago, I was a golfer.  Though I don’t play anymore, I’ve always understood what keeps people coming back, even when they stink.  It’s a seductive game.  You can shank the ball all over the fairway for twelve holes, then on the thirteenth, you can hit a perfect shot that goes in the cup from 160 yards out or drop your tee shot six inches from the pin.   You’re Phil Michelson for just a few minutes and you’re hooked again.   I think blogging is like that.    You write and write and write.  Some good posts, some not so much, some forced.  Some days, nobody seems all that interested … including, perhaps, yourself.  Then … BOOM … a post comes out just the way you hoped.   It takes off and people are touched.  You’ve got your blogging hole-in-one to keep you going for the next six months.

Here’s the thing about Faceless, though.  I never knew I could be touched myself through the comments I received … or by the words of the people I met.  Or, for that matter, by the memory of a homeless man I never knew.  I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s been a little miracle.   Thank you.  Thank You.

Advertisement

Explore posts in the same categories: writing and blogging

Tags: blogging, family, friends, gratitude, John Berry, sadness, smiles, spirituality, writing, writing and blogging

You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.