200 Followers and What Can I Give

Monday, February 21, 2011

As you may have noticed I surpassed 200 followers last week. A milestone for sure in this blogging community. So what’s a girl to do for a party of 200?

Many of you have given things away, held parties, just all sorts of special celebrations, how do I top that? I don’t, plain and simple. Here is why.

When I started this blog, for the purpose in now currently resides in, it was to stretch my fingers over the keys. I was throwing a personal pity party and needed an outlet, you where there. Picking me up and letting me know I was not alone.

Then I began to grow my vocabulary and paint with diction rather than on canvas. I shared some of my stories and again you where there. Applause, applause, you did not let me down. Encouragement came from across the globe, what a small world.

Over the months many of you have shared personal triumphs and way too many hardships with me. We became friends. Cyber shoulders, a voice in the darkness, an unfelt hand to wipe away our tears. Compassion shared through a network of wires and printed out on a far away screen.

So what can I do for you my 200 followers? Thank you is not the words that come to mind. It is more of, “Ah shucks, another friend; want a cup of coffee?”  If you clicked that follow button it is because we had connected in some small fashion. I have never followed someone just because they follow me but rather from a connection.

What do I give you my friends? I give you my friendship, my shoulder, my tears and my smiles. I am here to be an ear when you need to shout in the dark where no one can hear. I am here to weep the tears you do not have the courage to shed. I am here to laugh along with you when things are so bad all we can do is laugh. I am here to be the little engine coach, “I think you can!”

The most important thing I wish to offer is best said in a song. In the words of late great Janis Joplin, “Take another little piece of my heart.”



May your week be filled with sunshine and good news.

Peace…



42 comments:

Unknown said, 

Congratulations on the achievement! I'm a lurker on your blog :)

February 21, 2011 at 8:23 AM  
li said, 

Perfect post. One of the things I find sad about social networking is that many people end up tying their own self-worth to how many followers they have. And that takes away from the good part - finding one's way, writing for the sake of expression, and perhaps touching at least one other person in some small way. You've done all of those things, and so congrats to you on that! Thanks for spreading the love, and here's hoping that all 200 followers will do the same, making the world a little bit brighter one post at a time :)

February 21, 2011 at 8:28 AM  
Anonymoussaid, 

congratulations!!! I know you'll soon surpass 300 followers :-)

February 21, 2011 at 8:38 AM  
PK HREZO said, 

Big congrats!! *toots horn* *tosses confetti*

You rock! Cheers to 200 and 200 more to come! :)

February 21, 2011 at 8:56 AM  
RHYTHM AND RHYME said, 

Congratulations Jules on your 200th follower. You ask "What can I give?" Well Jules you give us all your support that is worth more than any prize. You are a treasure to know.

Yvonne.

February 21, 2011 at 9:05 AM  
RHYTHM AND RHYME said, 

Jules don't know what went wrong with my pc, so many copies of my comment on your blog, perhaps I was thinking of my slide.

Yvonne.

February 21, 2011 at 10:06 AM  
Blasphemous Aesthete said, 

You have a beautiful ideology to gift us. Not mere formality, but a connection. Congratulations, and may you grow, and the blog too. :)

Cheers,
Blasphemous Aesthete

February 21, 2011 at 10:27 AM  
Liz P said, 

Beautiful post, Jules. Well said.

This is just one reason why you have so many devoted followers! Congrats on reaching 200! :)

February 21, 2011 at 10:37 AM  
RHYTHM AND RHYME said, 

Jules thanks for the visit and comment, did you see Yesterday's?
About starring at The Grand Ole Opry.

Yvonne.

February 21, 2011 at 11:08 AM  
Michelle Merrill said, 

Congrats on 200. I'm just a recent blogger friend, but it's nice to meet you. I like your simple thanks.

February 21, 2011 at 11:13 AM  
Alex J. Cavanaugh said, 

Congratulations and don't worry about giving away something physical. That's not why we follow anyway.

February 21, 2011 at 11:18 AM  
Bossy Betty said, 

What a lovely post. The things you give are exactly the things we need. Congrats on 200 followers. We are winners every time we come here!

February 21, 2011 at 11:28 AM  
Velvet Over Steel said, 

Hi Jules!!! Congrats on the 200!!

I agree with Betty, We are the winners because we get to visit you!!
HUGS,
Coreen xoxoxo

February 21, 2011 at 12:07 PM  
Roland D. Yeomans said, 

Jules, you already give of yourself with humor and heart. You can't do better than that. Congrats on the 200 followers and many more will come I am sure, Roland

February 21, 2011 at 12:20 PM  
Kindros said, 

Congrats. And nothing is needed to thank us, friendship is always enough. :)

February 21, 2011 at 12:31 PM  
Summer Ross said, 

Jules- I am truly happy you have so many followers- you are an amazing friend! I'm glad I found you as such! I won't be around for a few days- writing has me- But feel free to message me on facebook- If you are into poetry- let me know and I will send you some work I have been working on and see what you think- because I value your opinion.
Have a fairy beautiful day my friend!

February 21, 2011 at 1:08 PM  
Anonymoussaid, 

Congratulations on hitting the big 2-0-0!

February 21, 2011 at 1:52 PM  
N. R. Williams said, 

I don't do follower parties either. But I do appreciate all of them including you, Jules. Your comments are always great.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author

February 21, 2011 at 2:20 PM  
Aleta said, 

Congrats on so many followers!! You're always a joy to read, even during the difficult times, because you keep it real.

February 21, 2011 at 3:34 PM  
Karen Lange said, 

Congratulations on the followers! I love this way of saying thank you; it is genuine and very much appreciated by this particular follower. :)
Blessings my KY friend,
Karen

February 21, 2011 at 4:53 PM  
Unknown said, 

Thank you! I feel I have made many close friends over the last few months.

February 21, 2011 at 5:38 PM  
The Words Crafter said, 

Blogger hates me!

Anyway....

You give me laughs, smiles, and big silly looking grins all the time :)

And a new favorite phrase: cyber shoulders!

Happy 200+!!!!!!!!!!!

February 21, 2011 at 9:15 PM  
Gail said, 

Congratulations...a well deserving number that I suspect will double within the year.

You compassion and love comes through in your writing and shows how much you do care.

February 21, 2011 at 10:45 PM  
Ellie Garratt said, 

Congratulations and well said!

February 22, 2011 at 6:30 AM  
Carolyn Abiad said, 

Congrats! 200 feels good :)

February 22, 2011 at 8:18 AM  
Samantha Vérant said, 

Congratulations! 200 is an achievement!

February 22, 2011 at 8:19 AM  
The Blogger Formerly Known As said, 

What can I say that hasn’t already been said here? Congratulations, 200 certainly is a milestone! But, as your blog is always so good to read, I suspect this is only the beginning. Here’s to the next 200.

May your week be filled with sunshine and good news too :)

February 22, 2011 at 8:48 AM  
Debbie said, 

You are a wonderful online friend - always supportive and positive. That is all you need to give to us!
And congrats:)

February 22, 2011 at 8:52 AM  
Tracy said, 

Jules, I have tears in my eyes after reading your post...how truly truly lovely! You give so much of yourself; why would we ask for more? When one gives of the heart as you do, there is no more!
Thank you for your kind compassionate words and you deserve 200 followers plus!
I know I am here for the laughter and your listening ear, as well as the cyber-shoulder :)
hugs to you Jules...

PS...YES, the beach in my scrapbook photos is Emerald Isle which is considered the Southern Outer Banks...love the area!

February 22, 2011 at 9:01 AM  
AA said, 

congrats!
(add one more for i'm now followng :) )

-AA

follow me, please?

iknowtheressunshinebeyondthatrain.blogspot.com

February 22, 2011 at 12:02 PM  
Southpaw said, 

Congrats! I agree with your sentiment. I threw a party at my one year anniversary, mostly ‘cause I was amazed I made it!

February 22, 2011 at 12:19 PM  
Southpaw said, 

I should have specified it was my 1-year blog anniversary. ;)

February 22, 2011 at 12:19 PM  
Golden Eagle said, 

Congratulations, Jules! :)

Here's to another 200!

February 22, 2011 at 2:41 PM  
Theresa Milstein said, 

Congratulations - you're at 206 and counting.

The blogging community is wonderful. So supportive.

February 22, 2011 at 5:10 PM  
MTeacress said, 

Congratulations on reaching such a great milestone. I remember when I was in elementary, having a pen pal. Blogger makes me feel like I have hundreds of pen pals. :)

February 22, 2011 at 6:26 PM  
Tammy said, 

I'm sure you have so many followers because people sense that--besides your fun stories--you are a pleasant, compassionate person, too. Congratulations.

February 22, 2011 at 8:05 PM  
Arlee Bird said, 

Gee, I was really counting on some big cash prizes.

Seriously though, you've got it right. Some people are into celebrating with giveaways and such and others not. It's personal preference and I'm not following anyone to win prizes.

To celebrate 200 last year for me I decided to Blog from A to Z during April. I didn't really expect that it would catch on with anyone else and the fact that it did was just sort of a fluke. That was cool, but it was just one of those weird things that just got tossed out there and caught on.

But don't worry. Besides you're probably going to hit 300 or 400 in April once we start doing the A to Z thing. Maybe by the time 1000 comes you think of a way to celebrate. It's coming.

Lee
Tossing It Out

February 22, 2011 at 9:54 PM  
Katie Gates said, 

Congratulations on reaching that milestone. I'm glad you're out there in the blogosphere!

February 22, 2011 at 11:47 PM  
Flying high in the sky.... said, 

congratulations....and you made me cry ... so so so touching !!! beautiful post...

February 23, 2011 at 12:18 AM  
Paula said, 

Congrats. Got all teary. Sorry I was MIA. PC needed the doctor....

February 23, 2011 at 5:13 PM  
Katherines Corner said, 

Congratulations, I'm number 209! I enjoyed my visit to your lovely blog. Wishing you happiness Hugs, Katherine

February 24, 2011 at 8:46 AM  
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