Only a Matter of Time

When I started writing this web log (blog) back so very many years ago, I treated it much like a diary, a journal of day-to-day experiences of no importance to anyone but me.  I had no sense that anyone but me and certain family members would read it.  In short, even if it were available for public consumption, I didn't think that it would be of interest to anyone.  Of course, I was wrong--naive, if you will--in the ways of modern technology.

I never wrote anything that wasn't true or part of my personal experience.  I never wrote anything to hurt or embarrass anyone.  I never used profanity or name-calling or anything else that could be misconstrued as hate, even if I may have felt like doing so.  There were times when I was so hurt and felt so betrayed by certain people that I wanted to lash out, but even I understood that the written word, without benefit of facial expressions or tone of voice, could have ramifications down the road, so I held back a little.  (Trust me:  I could have written much worse!) Most of the time, I focused on the humor of life and some of the sadness.  Over time, the central theme of my posts became more theme-oriented and less stream-of-consciousness.  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

My grandchildren, who, along with their mother, once lived with me and were part of my happiness and responsibility in their very young years, were often part of the content of my blog entries.  Well...now they have grown older and wise in the ways of technology (far more than I) and have learned to Google their names...and up pops Grandma's blog.  I am somewhat agog about that since I generally don't use their last names!  Last night, I received an online message from my grandson, "Grandma.  We need to talk."  Then he sent me a screenshot of a blog entry written way back in 2006.  He had Googled his name, and it showed up, much to his dismay.  It discussed an event that happened when he was 3-years-old, and he was embarrassed by it.  It was only a matter of time before I would be called to task over some of that stuff.  I deleted the entry, but refused to remove another one that he claimed was "pure blackmail" fodder.

His mother and I talked on the phone this morning about what to do about this new challenge to my (and his) privacy.  Later today, we will work to remove the ways to find that stuff on Google without actually having to remove anything that is historical to the family.  I guess my granddaughter was also concerned when a couple of her friends declared, "We found your grandma's blog!"

My grandchildren are the lights of my life.  Since 2002, they have been the center of my life, even by long distance.  As a little guy, the grandson was the cutest little charmer!  The granddaughter is my lifeline to the world of music and drama in my old age.  I sure hope they understand that.  In the meantime, I also hope they understand that what they put out on the web has at least as much impact on their lives as my stupid little blog.

I'm not dead yet.  This "old dog" can still learn.  My parents and grandparents didn't have to deal with this sort of stuff, so I am treading on territory that is new to me.  I can't help it that my grandchildren grew up!  (I keep telling them not to, but they don't listen!)  Some day, long after I am gone, perhaps they will look back on what I have written about them and accept that I meant well!