Who Is Reading This?

Before I write anything more about the whirlwind end of our summer, I have to get something off my chest.

I know that there are many good friends of mine out there who read this blog. You know who you are. You tell me all the time how much you enjoy reading it and I truly appreciate that. I also have family who reads this blog and I think it has helped draw us all closer together, since quite often I pour out my thoughts here instead of sharing them verbally. It's my form of therapy and also a way to communicate my thoughts to others that I might not readily share in person.

However, when I look at my stats I see that people all over the world are also reading it, or at least clicking on the link on their way to looking for something else. Who are these people? Are they actually reading all these things that I'm writing? Some of the stuff I write is lighthearted and silly, but I've shared a lot of personal things on here too: thoughts about my kids, my life, and most importantly, my struggles with coping with the loss of my Dad.

Do I really want someone in Singapore whom I've never met before reading this stuff? I'm not so sure.

I'm toying with the idea of making this a private blog. This would mean that only people I put on my reader list would be able to read it. It would mean having to take the extra step of logging in to read my posts, but I guess if you really want to read them, you won't mind.

I've been wanting to write about certain things that I just can't have hanging out there in a public forum. I might write more freely if I know exactly who is reading. After all, I started this blog for myself, not for the world at large. I think I've managed to touch a few people along the way. I've had people tell me they feel like they know me better now. One friend told me that her sister, whom I've never met, reads my blog faithfully. I'm ok with that. It's the unknown that freaks me out a little.

Tell me what you think. If you read this regularly and you don't mind logging in, let me know. If you've recommended this blog to friends or family who want to continue reading it, that's fine. I like having readers - I just don't think I really need to reach a worldwide audience. I'm also a little concerned about exposing my kids to online predators - who knows who is lurking out there and what they might be able to figure out based on what I'm writing.

Watch out - if I lock this thing down I'll be heading in a new direction! I think it might be a good one.