The sound of tireless voices is the price we pay for the right to hear the music of our own opinions. ~Adlai Stevenson, speech, New York City, 28 August 1952
I wish you all a wonderful weekend.I remember how quiet it was in the very early morning hours. J was only a couple months old. I was awake with him nestled in my lap, his head lying on my thigh, one hand gripping my shirt. It was 1 a.m. Maybe 3 a.m. I'm not sure I ever knew what time it was in those early days.
The only light came from the glow of the monitor. I moved the mouse around as I searched. For what, I was never really sure. . .
Until the early morning hours when I stumbled upon a site written by her. I scrolled down the page. And then another. And another. There were stories of her children. There were pictures of them laughing. She discussed PPD. She told funny anecdotes about her past. She put herself out there and shared her life . . . the good and the not so good. Although I am certain there were challenges along the way, she struck a balance between being mom, wife, and woman. I admired that.
I had no blog at the time. I barely knew what it was. So, I visited her blog on a regular basis. Never leaving a comment, but thinking genius replies in my head. After doing what I later learned was called "blog hopping," I decided it might be time . . .
In the early morning hours, cradling my newborn in my lap, I realized that blogging appeared to be something more than the words and pictures on a screen. It was freedom. It was a chance to connect across cities, states, countries. It was an opportunity to learn from others and share with others. It was a place where I could . . . just be. The possibilities were endless.
So . . .
I started a blog of my own. I found more blogs. I connected with more people. I was laughing, crying, ranting, and praying with and for these people. I would venture to say that I have even started some real, honest to goodness friendships. And, this former English teacher even gets to indulge in her passion for writing every so often. Of course, let's not forget my inspiration . . . the chubby bald (becoming fuzzier by the day) kid with a crooked tooth and a smile to die for.
My blog is forever a work in progress. I'm not always sure as to what my ultimate purpose is, but I do know that for me it represents far more than words or pictures on a screen. For me, it is a freedom. To connect. To express. To engage. A freedom to be me.
So I ask you, who set you free? Who inspired you (whether they know it or not) to start a blog? What is your ultimate goal when writing your blog? What have been your biggest challenges? And finally, how has writing your blog set you free?
Please take moment and share your responses in the comment section. I'm eager to see how you got started in the blogging world.
*I'm certain there was a meme similar to this floating around. If you did it, leave a comment with the link to that post (if you can find it!) OR if you decide to dedicate a post of your own to this, be sure to let me know so I can read it.
The only light came from the glow of the monitor. I moved the mouse around as I searched. For what, I was never really sure. . .
Until the early morning hours when I stumbled upon a site written by her. I scrolled down the page. And then another. And another. There were stories of her children. There were pictures of them laughing. She discussed PPD. She told funny anecdotes about her past. She put herself out there and shared her life . . . the good and the not so good. Although I am certain there were challenges along the way, she struck a balance between being mom, wife, and woman. I admired that.
I had no blog at the time. I barely knew what it was. So, I visited her blog on a regular basis. Never leaving a comment, but thinking genius replies in my head. After doing what I later learned was called "blog hopping," I decided it might be time . . .
In the early morning hours, cradling my newborn in my lap, I realized that blogging appeared to be something more than the words and pictures on a screen. It was freedom. It was a chance to connect across cities, states, countries. It was an opportunity to learn from others and share with others. It was a place where I could . . . just be. The possibilities were endless.
So . . .
I started a blog of my own. I found more blogs. I connected with more people. I was laughing, crying, ranting, and praying with and for these people. I would venture to say that I have even started some real, honest to goodness friendships. And, this former English teacher even gets to indulge in her passion for writing every so often. Of course, let's not forget my inspiration . . . the chubby bald (becoming fuzzier by the day) kid with a crooked tooth and a smile to die for.
My blog is forever a work in progress. I'm not always sure as to what my ultimate purpose is, but I do know that for me it represents far more than words or pictures on a screen. For me, it is a freedom. To connect. To express. To engage. A freedom to be me.
So I ask you, who set you free? Who inspired you (whether they know it or not) to start a blog? What is your ultimate goal when writing your blog? What have been your biggest challenges? And finally, how has writing your blog set you free?
Please take moment and share your responses in the comment section. I'm eager to see how you got started in the blogging world.
*I'm certain there was a meme similar to this floating around. If you did it, leave a comment with the link to that post (if you can find it!) OR if you decide to dedicate a post of your own to this, be sure to let me know so I can read it.
Let freedom ring!
A very big THANK YOU to all those men and women who work to preserve our freedoms every single day.
A very big THANK YOU to all those men and women who work to preserve our freedoms every single day.
