I am very blessed to have such an amazing circle of people that I connect, engage and interact with on Twitter. In fact it's not one circle it's many interconnecting circles. I have a circle of local people I know, people I've met at "tweet-ups", people I follow strictly for entrainment, a handful or celebs I follow, the PPD Army (women who have or survived Post-Partum depression, my cancer circle, my thyroid peeps and my thyroid cancer friends. Of course these are just a handful of the circles there are many other more subtle ones and some people fall into more than one of these categories.
Twitter has brought me many things, but none more important than friendship and an understanding my who I am at the core. It's brought me people who have helped me, knowingly or otherwise. It's brought me a lot of laughs and even some tears.
When I can't sleep I can turn to the #ZombieMoms who will keep me company.
When I need a laugh I'll usually get one from a "cancer-girl", a "sly pig", someone who's "evolved" or someone "quirky" or some sage advice from an "old baker" perhaps even some words of wisdom from an "Auntie", or guidance from someone who "whispers at souls" it's there 100%
I don't even have to ask for it, it's already right there in my twitter stream.
Because of Twitter I met a woman who invited me to be on her TV show, forcing me out of a nearly 2 year hiding. Once meeting her and the others that day I felt alive again, after dealing with my cancer for so long and hiding behind it for nearly as long. Those women were kind, endearing and above all very very encouraging and inspiring. They were people I needed to get back to living. I am thankful because now I am living and enjoying life more than I ever have.
Twitter has allowed me to witness many amazing things such as the outpouring of love and the pulling together to raise funds when a twitter friend and her husband lost their son. We in a way, went through that with them. To this day I will never see Elmo without thinking of their family and how much their son loved him. I always smile a slightly sad smile. Collectively the many people who know them online or in real life, pulled together to help them raise money for Zach's Dream Room. Thanks to the a remarkable little boy and his inspirational family along with the social media masses, word of this story spread like wild fire! The goal, originally set at $25 000 seemed very ambitious to me. Imagine the overwhelming joy that was felt as that goal was reached and the goal was increased to $35 000. Currently they have broken that goal, and are over $40 000.
When a friend recently lost her husband the compassion was phenomenal. Her anger and confusion over why he was stolen from her resulted in some very emotional tweets and we returned with the most thoughtful messages of reassurance, encouragement and sympathy. Once again reminding me of how strong a community of social people can be when focused on the same cause.
A member of the PPD Army was recently hospitalized and upon learning of this flowers were sent to let her know she was not alone. She had a whole army of people pulling for her to get well. Once again the reminders of how important she is and how much she is wanted and needed was amazing. She is out of the hospital now and working through things but she's not doing it alone, she hasn't been forgotten as old news. People are still rooting for her and sending their beautiful tweets to her.
What it all boils down to is that one tweet CAN change the world, or make a huge difference in someone's life. I think you get the idea. If you are not on Twitter this might help you to see why so many of us are, and how we've found relationships. The only downside I have is the fact I didn't sign up sooner.
In the next couple of weeks I'll be celebrating my 1000th follower. For me that's HUGE!
If you are on Twitter and would like to follow me click here: @hippofatamus
