Don't expect all that you read here to be accurate and up-to-date!
For awhile, I tried to update the different chapters to the best of my ability and, finally, gave up, because we're a growing and developing organization that is subject to change, so read the past chapters with the idea that you're reading history, and go to the most current chapters to find out our latest developments.
However, keep in mind that there's one thing that is NOT going to change with that being that we're about the young people whom we help! They come first! We will NEVER compromise that part of our mission!!!
Onward now to the original preface that will follow the divider...
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This is a blog, but I'm fixing it to read like a book by inviting everybody to stop here and read forward.
Each section of it will be chapter (and identified as such) and will be given a title along with being a chapter.
The name of this book of a blog is Virtual Homemaker, and that might imply to some that I'm both a wife and mother--and, if this is the case, you've come close. However, this isn't something in the traditional sense by any means.
I will tell you about the wife part first in short form.
I've told this story so many times here and there in Cyberspace that it doesn't need to be told in long form, but I'll just tell it as introducing the rest of the story.
On January 15, 2007, my Cyberpath crossed with another Cybertraveler by name of Russell T. Hartsaw.After checking out his website, (Update, December 1, 2007: At the time I first saw this website, it was one dealing with issues affecting society such as homelessness, crime, senior issues, etc.) decided that I wanted him on my dream team--that is, among some of the most unique individuals I've come across online who are doing their part to make this world a better place.
Through countless e-mails and phone calls, we became closer and closer within a matter of just a few weeks. I knew that I had gotten to crushing on him some, but that still wasn't really what it was all about when I popped the question to him.
Marriage?
Well...kinda...but not really...
One of my online friends had, a few years before, created a kind of Cyberfamily where she gave roles to different people. Some of it even sounded downright silly--such as how she picked a man in his late thirties (Note: When checking this late, great angel out, be sure to take note of his birthday, because, in light of this story, it will knock your socks off!) to be her grandma. But it was actually quite understandable, because she wasn't going by age, gender, and things like that but, instead, by personality traits.
Because I had so much admiration for Russell, I wanted to demonstrate this by honoring him with the role of being my Cyberhusband. When I composed the "proposal," I wasn't thinking in terms of, "I've found the man I want to marry!" Not consciously, anyway. It was just a way of telling him that we had become a dynamic duo when it came to changing the world for the better! Nothing more and nothing less.
We, indeed, did have a marriage of sorts, and this would make it "official."
That is, if he accepted.
He not only accepted, but he even designed an official-looking document saying that this was so.
Our "wedding" took place on February 19, 2007.
At some point along the way, I began to see Russell in a different light.
The virtual marriage had been a kind of ritual to show how strongly we felt about making a difference in the lives of people who had fallen through the cracks. It was a way of saying that we had really teamed-up when it came to making the world a better place. It had absolutely nothing to do with romance.
There was no denying that, by this time, I had developed a crush on Russell--but I thought of this crush along the same lines as the kind of crush I have on Keith Hamilton Cobb and Henry Winkler. I also had the feeling that Russell was crushing on me some, too.
At this point, I'm just going to start sharing my own feelings (on the subject of romance/falling in love), because I'm not one to put words in Russell's mouth--even if the words my wishful thinking puts there would be/might be/are the same ones that are actually in his own heart.
I'm doing this partly just because how I feel just feels so wonderful that I want to shout it from the mountains, but I have a more important reason for doing so that will soon become apparent later in this preface.
Anyway, when did it began to become more than platonic for me when it came to Russell's and my friendship?
A lot of factors figure in there, but I believe that the three main ones consisted of when he shared his bedtime prayer with me (a prayer that consisted of simple but beautiful words spoken with the heart of a child); listening to him talking about his dog, Rascal (who might just look like a stuffed dog--albeit, an adorable one--to the rest of the world, but Russell and I believe that one or more good spirits bring(s) him to life in a very special way); and the wonderful way he goes about sharing something with me that will improve my computer experience. From over 2000 miles away, he'll say that he has something that he wants to show me, and he'll take me through each step to get there. When he does this, I get this mental image of us as two little kids where the boy is taking the girl by the hand as they go down this path in the woods towards some discovery that he's made, and he's so excited that he's pointing the index finger of his free hand at something out ahead while looking back at the girl while she looks at him with anticipation.
I can also remember some of the main details when I spoke my heart about the change in my feelings towards Russell for the very first time.
It was sometime in late February, and I was running some errands. He was very much on my mind that afternoon.
I did some banking using the drive-up, and the teller was giving me the biggest, brightest smile--and I suddenly realized why: It was in response to the expression that I must have had on my face!
That was when it just came pouring out of my mouth! I said something along the lines of, "Yes, I'm in love, and his name is Russell!!! I'll be telling you more about him later!!!"
The teller grinned back even more broadly. The next time I came to the bank and she was my teller, I had this information slip ready that contained a url leading to Russell Online (the first website I'd ever seen of his). (Update--November 28, 2007: Russell has turned this site over to his special angel dog, Rascal, who, so far, is doing an excellent job with it! I believe that Russell still helps out with the design of it, but Rascal barks the orders! LOL)
But, that day--the day I said those words aloud--after exiting the drive-through basement of the bank, it seemed as if the sun were shining extra brightly and the entire world looked more beautiful! Every love song playing on WERK reminded me of him that afternoon. I went to different places, and I could tell that people knew that something extra special was up with me!
This is the first poem I've written about Russell--and it's called To Russell With Love.
If you think that you're preparing to read a romance novel, let me warn you that there's no guarantee of romance in this booklike blog. I've filled you in on some background, and it all sounds pretty romantic, I'm sure.
But I have a special reason for telling this story in the preface, and it has to do with my mission with these kids.
There might come a time when I'm forced to give up my romantic notions about Russell--though, if it were left up to me, this dream would never die but would just keep on getting more and more beautiful and wonderful with the passing of time!
However, I'm making a vow right here and now that, no matter how things turn out between Russell and me, the greater dream is here to stay--that being the dream of making a positive difference in the lives of Invisible Youth!!!
Having said this, I'm going to take you with me on a wonderful journey--a journey that I hope you will feel like embarking on as well...
