I just read about the attacks in and near Oslo, Norway. It’s a terrible thing that happened, but Victor tried to convince me to not get obsessed with it. He knows that things like this grab ahold of me and don’t let go, and that my OCD and anxiety disorder make it mentally dangerous for me to watch the news. And he meant the best when he reminded me that I need to protect my heart a little more, and that this was something that happened a world away…and something I can’t control or do anything about. And he’s right, in a way. But there’s one thing he can’t quite understand, and that I can’t quite explain…
Yesterday 66 people visited this blog. They stayed a few minutes, and hopefully laughed. Some commented. Many are regular visitors. They are a part of the community here. And all 66 are from Oslo, Norway.
There’s something about the internet that makes the world a little bit smaller…that makes us all huddle together for warmth, or laughter, or simply to reassure ourselves that we are not alone. I know some people sneer at the idea of the internet being a “community”, but to me it is. It’s my neighborhood. It is my tribe. And the people in Oslo tonight? They are us.
I promise to go back to being funny tomorrow, because I know you probably use this place as an escape as much as I do, but tonight I just want to say that we’re thinking of you, Oslo. And also of everyone else who comes here tonight feeling alone or afraid.
You aren’t alone. We’re with you.
PS. Comments are open, but let’s not focus on the terrorist. Hate gets enough attention. This post is for hope.