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Thursday, March 3, 2011

Unexpected Blessing


Tomorrow, March 4th, will be the one year anniversary of this blog, or as it is commonly referred to here in the blogosphere, blogoversary. One whole year since I wrote my very first Be Still A Minute post.

I am not exactly sure what gave me the idea to start a blog since I didn't follow any other blogs or know anyone else who kept a blog.  It was just a spur of the moment, let's throw some words out here and see how it goes kind of thing. 

At first I thought I'd just write about my experience with grief  in hopes that maybe someone suffering through it would read something I wrote and be helped or inspired by it, or at least just feel that they weren't alone and that there is still so much life and happiness on the other side of the storm. 

It did not take long, however, for me to realize that I really wanted to write about so much more.  This quickly became a place for me to vent my parenting frustrations and triumphs, along with just day to day life stuff that amuses, inspires, bewilders or awes me. 

I eventually ventured out and started finding other blogs to read, follow, and comment on.  I was overwhelmed with the never ending blogs written by such talented women who constantly amaze me with their writing,  photography,  decorating,  designing,  and cooking skills.


They make me laugh, cry, or just shake my head and say "Amen, sister!" on a daily basis. Just visit a few of the blogs in my blogroll and you'll see what I mean.
 
What began as an attempt for me to inspire others, has resulted in a daily dose of inspiration for me. Not only am I inspired by all of these other women, but sometimes by my own words as well. 

I have come to this blog many times, not having any idea what I was going to write about and ended up in tears or just a state of sheer satisfaction by the words that somehow, by the work of my own mind and hands, appeared on the page before me.

It, of course, doesn't always happen this way.  There have only been a handful of posts I have felt this way about and those few have all come from a place deep within my soul, from a place I don't often leave the door open to.    

Clicking on that "publish post" button is not something I take lightly.  I read over and over what I've written at least 3 times usually before I decide it is suitable for another pair of eyes to view.

My only regret is that I didn't start a blog sooner, when the boys were smaller and when I was actively grieving because I would love to have those archives at my fingertips, not only for nostalgic reasons but to see how far I've come from those dark days of grief.

I know my days of writing about the daily adventures of those two now are dangerously limited because it's just a matter of time before they discover that "Omg, mama has a blog and we're in it!"    Devin already asks every time I try to snap a shot of him, "You're not planning on putting this on facebook, are you?!" 

And my answer is always the same, "Why yes, yes, I am because you're my son and I'm your mother and it is my God given right to show off pictures of you any ol' time I want and one day you'll be glad you have these precious photos to remind you of your childhood." 

Okay, maybe I don't always say that.  It's usually more along the lines of, "You better smile like you mean it or that ipod touch is mine!" 

And you see?  That.  That little thing I'm currently using as a parenting weapon will change in a flash and chances are, I'll never remember it in a couple of years and he certainly won't. 

But maybe one day, he or Dracen will pull up the old, ancient archives of this blog, take a trip down memory lane, smile, laugh, and say something like,  "Oh, I had forgotten about that time Charlie let us pee on a fire for the first time!" or "Ha, I had forgotten about what a hard time we used to give Mom at the grocery store and how much we used to fight! Wow, we really put her through the ringer, didn't we?  I don't know how she did it!" 

I didn't expect all of this when I started blogging.  I didn't expect much of anything so what I've gotten and what I continue to get from it, can only be described as an unexpected blessing and if you ask me, that is always the very best kind. :) 



This post was inspired by Mama Kat's writer's workshop prompt: What were you blogging about last year at this time? What has changed?  and Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday, The Letter U.

26 comments:

  1. Diane
    I am always amazed the way that people can surprise me, no matter how many times I'm surprised by them. You are no exception. What I know of you from limited personal interaction is of someone who was/is generally very quite. To read what you or someone else writes is in some respects like looking through a window to their soul. This view is inspiring! I can't say that I always read what you post, but I have never been disappointed when I did. Please keep it up!
    Kelly

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  2. It is amazing how blogs take on a life of their own and bloom.

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  3. I haven't been blogging that long, but I remember how at the beginning it definitely evolved from what I thought I was doing to my "real voice"...Congrats on your year anniversary!

    Stopped by from Mama Kat's

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  4. Unexpected blessings are the best kind!

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  5. don't you love the unexpected. . .those things that turn out to be so much more than we ever imagined?!

    thanks for sharing!

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  6. I think blogging is such a unique outlook to start healing the things that torment us.

    Maybe not always but I believe with my whole heart that the telling starts the healing.

    I started my blog for the same reason, and although I rarely share the demons that drove me to start it in the first place, the act of writing and finding something funny in even the awfulest day sometimes becomes the blessing I need to find a smile somewhere in my heart.

    I'm glad the blog did the same thing for you.

    And congratulations on one year!

    Hooray for you!

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  7. Happy blogiversary!

    I love blogging too and have experienced many of the same blessings you describe by doing it. When I began, I had no idea how many friends I would make or how much more in touch with my everyday feelings I would be.

    It's great, and the blogging community is one of the best benefits.

    =)

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  8. I know exactly how you feel. It really is an unexpected blessing. And the children will forgive you, I am SURE!!!

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  9. Wonderful post, Diane.

    I agree...unexpected blessings are the best. Congratulations on celebrating 1 year of blogging.

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  10. Blogging is wonderful. I find it helps me a lot.

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  11. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! I just had to stop by yours in return and boy am I glad that I did! Love your blog (your newest follower) Love this post! Happy Blog-A-Versary!!!

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  12. Happy Anniversary! What a great post, and I couldn't agree more with just about everything you wrote--even starting a blog and not really knowing why b/c you didn't follow anyone.

    I, too, am constantly amazed at all of the wonderful blogs out there, and I am grateful for a place of my own, to work through my thoughts, and release some of those emotions that need a way out.

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  13. It's so true, isn't it? I started my blog (and it's been just a little over a year for me also) as a way to chronicle the building of my home. It's turned into an outlet for all of my creative urges....

    I'll be back to visit when I have a few minutes, we do have something in common. I was widowed when I was 40, my husband also died unexpectedly (accidental carbon dioxide poisoning). He was 43 and left two young sons.

    I've never really written about his death directly and probably never will. I'll let my fictional characters tell my story, it's just easier for me that way.

    I do love to read the experiences of other widows though. It helps to know you aren't alone. I've also lost a son who left a wife and three babies and I know that listening to my experience has helped my daughter in law deal with her struggles with grief..

    Oh well, sorry this comment is turning into a novel, and a pretty sad one at that!

    Love your blog, I'll be back!

    xxoo,

    RMW

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  14. Congratulations on the blogoversary. It really is a great experience to write and share and meet and realize you can be connected to others. I love that your blog will be a great "baby book" for your kids.

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  15. hey sweet cheeks.

    happy anniversary. birthday? blog-i-versary? i have no idea. didn't even bring a gift!

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  16. I absolutely love your blog. And I am so glad you decided, oh a whim, to enter this sphere.
    It really is a pretty great place to find friends!

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  17. It's amazing how quickly time goes by isn't it. One of the things I have loved about blogging is that it is such a lovely way of chronicling our lives.

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  18. Happy one year blogging anniversary! My one year anniversary is next month...and I started my blog just to record some memories. I had no idea it would turn into so much more for me. The support and inspiration from other women is amazing. I'm so glad you started your blog. I love how you linked back to your other posts through out the past year....clever! Once I get my son on the bus this morning, I'm going to come back and check out all your links!

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  19. Congratulations on your blogoversary. I hope you have another great year of sharing.

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  20. Congratulations on your blogversary! It's quite something isn't it? I, like you, started off as a diary and to see where it took me and I have found a wonderful commmunity. I write some now, some past adn some future wishes posts and that seems to cover all of it really.
    Best of luck on year 2 :)

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  21. Happy 1 year blog. I have enjoyed reading it so much:)

    I have a friend who's father in law has her blog put in a book every year for Christmas....just a thought?

    You were very shy and quiet....so most people didn't know how fun you were. I'm so glad I know that side of you!

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  22. those unexpected blessings
    are the best kind
    i know for myself
    my journey ~blogging~
    thru a traumatic illness
    has been an unexpected blessing!
    i have enjoyed reading your
    blog for a while now
    happy one year,
    and many more to come =)
    BEAR HUGS
    ~victoria~

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  23. Congrats, Diane! Buena fortuna on another year of blogging your new year around the sun.

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  24. Love your Blog title and description of doing housework!

    Blogging is quite a journey isn't it? By sharing and connecting with others, our own lives become richer in every way and lead each of us to more self-discovery.

    Great post!

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  25. Happy Blogoversary!

    I love readign your blog. YOU are one of the bloggers who inspires me.

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