Catching Idle Butterflies

The things we miss when we don't bother to look

2284/50,000

When I first signed up on WDC, weeks passed before I no longer felt so overwhelmed by all it has to offer. I found so many things to read, so many forums to post in, so many contests to try my hand at, I felt like a hermit living alone in the mountains for many years and suddenly thrust into the middle of New York City without a map.

Now I've become comfortable with this site, found my niche even. But my need and desire to explore has wavered (see previous entry for another example of that).

But then something happens to make me realize just how much I'm missing, so many things WDC and its members have to offer.

I just received a merit badge from a Kathleen . When I first saw it in my mailbox, I thought it was sent to me by mistake. I had no idea who Kathleen was, let alone know why she would send me a badge.

This is what the text read:

"This Merit Badge is presented to you on behalf of Meg: Writes Daily in 2006 In "Invalid Item" , Meg wrote "We are both in the "Going Pro" Group. She keeps up with my journal and always gives me a cheer for my entries no matter what is going on in her own writing. She's a great friend!"

In all honesty, I was more touched by the nomination then the badge itself.

But even receiving the badge isn't the point of this entry.

I had no idea this forum existed. More than once I had wanted to send a merit badge or ribbon of my own, but couldn't because I didn't have enough GPs to spare. I never once considered looking for members helping others give those gifts they otherwise can't afford.

Makes me wonder what else I'm missing around here.