Wednesday Gratitude #3 at Heart and Home

Hello everyone! Thanks so much for stopping by, I'm glad you did!  It's time once again for Wednesday Gratitude  and I hope you'll join in. Share with us what makes you smile and your heart sing.  To see more gratitude posts, you can go here and here. Make sure to leave me a comment, and to visit the blogs linked in today! MckLinky is waiting for you, below.

This is something I just learned about myself:
Recently I realized something has affected my life in such a positive way that I truly feel grateful for it. And I had fought against it for such a long time, it had become a kind of joke around here!  I've always been the last one in this house to embrace new technology. I am the one who didn't want or need a cell phone, who thought time spent on the computer was a waste of time, and who felt resentful whenever we purchased new home technology rather than use the money on something I considered far more important, like plants for the garden, or fabric for a furniture redo, or something pretty for the house.

I was the last one around here to learn how to use the computer, and then, when I did log on I needed to consult my handwritten notes before I could remembered how to make it work! I teased my husband for relying on the Internet for information and entertainment, and could not understand why anyone would want to spend their free time in front of a computer screen, when there are books and  movies and crafts to occupy us instead.

My husband's career is in high technology, and almost all of our friends are involved in it professionally in some way. We lived in and now near the Silicon Valley and new technology is buzzing all over the place. For a time even I worked for a computer manufacturer, although in a low-tech way designing and managing space planning for the manufacturing offices. But still, I was a  proud technophobe!

Let me say, things have changed dramatically in the last seven months! I started Heart and Home after accidentally stumbling across some great blogs out there in cyberspace and thinking " maybe I can do this". I've worked hard  learning computer skills and putting them to work.  I even learned how to design a button for my blog! I felt very accomplished after that!

I'm proud that I did it all, mostly by myself, and I feel I've been successful! But most of all,  I feel very fortunate to have met you, my wonderful blogger friends. I am able to share your accomplishments, your thoughts, a little of your lives, and to share a little bit of mine as well. I really enjoy getting to know all of you!. I am so blessed to have found the blogging community and feel your warmth,  your support, and your encouragement. I'm so inspired by all of you, and your creative talents. I am very thankful, because creating Heart and Home helped get me through a few bumps in my life, and helped me to see outside my own problems, get a new perspective, and broaden my horizons.

Recently, the Internet became a tool which helped reconnect me with some of my family. I grew up without many relatives, all of my mother's family was living in East Germany during the cold war, and my father didn't really have much family to speak of. We were pretty much alone, and as I grew up it became difficult to maintain contact with distant relatives of mine living in Germany.

Just last week I received the email address of my 3rd cousin, who lives in Coburg. I was a little nervous, but I wrote her a long email, attached some pictures, pushed send, and wondered if I would hear from her. I received a response the very next day!  She too, sent pictures, and told me how happy she was that I had communicated with her. Her note moved me to tears, and connected me with someone very special. I am so grateful for the technology that allowed that to happen! I am thrilled to have reconnected with family in Germany, and to have the ability to share with them whenever I want! 

Is it strange to be grateful for the Internet and my computer? I don't think so! Not since it has brought such blessings into my life: all of you my blogging friends, and my family far away across the ocean.

I'm so glad I learned how to use the computer!

Until next time,

XO

Heidi

I'm linking  to What I learned This Week, at  Musings of a Housewife.

And also to Rednesday, at It's a Very Cherry World. Thanks Sue!