A First for My First

This is the first entry in my first blog. Ever.

I hope that fact touches you and has meaning for you. I hope the gravity of the situation is not lost on you. Then, perhaps, you could explain it to me. I'm not sure I understand the importance of a blog, or its purpose. More precisely, I don't understand who I'm writing to and why they would want to read it. Isn't a journal supposed to be private? Or at least shared only with those chosen few. Shouldn't the journalist choose the reader? Publishing a blog feels like it is the other way round.

I know my daughter blogs. She's 14, so I know the questions that haunt my blog don't even exist for her. Her presumption is quite the opposite. "Who wouldn't want to read my blog." But then on the other hand, she's never actually given me her blog address. I know she has one because I've seen her working on it. We've talked about it a little, so she knows I know. But she hasn't really clearly authorized me to read it by giving me the address. I suppose it could be said that by publishing it, she implicitly authorized my viewing of the material, but I don't think it is that simple. First off, I'm pretty sure she doesn't use her real name. So it's not like I can just look it up. Secondly, she doesn't even like it if I ask her what she's watching on TV, much less delving into more personal matters. So in her way, she is choosing the reader.

I admit that I have a narrow view of the journal. For me, a journal feels intensely personal. But that's because I often write intensely personal stuff in my journal. Publishing the blog is far different than stuffing a notebook under the mattress. I do, in fact, control what I share by deciding what to publish. I must admit I like the idea that my observations on life may be of value to others. Perhaps the blog should be nothing more than a record of the journey. Of my journey. A record that shares a more disciplined view of the thoughts, events and emotions of the journey, rather than a raw retelling of my unedited feelings.

Maybe the blog is the journey. So I'm taking the first step. Just in case.