I’ve been blogging for just over four years and written over one thousand posts. I’ve shared happy stories, sad stories, embarrassing moments and rants. I realize that I have some readers that I don’t know, but for the most part here I’m talking to family and friends. I’m sharing the story of our life, both for people who relate to what it’s like raising girls and for those two girls themselves. I can’t wait to look back on these posts as a family and laugh about what we were up to when they were little. To talk about their challenges and struggles, to remember family traditions and even blush over embarrassing anecdotes. I don’t know about you, but I love poring over yellowed photo albums and seeing pictures of great grandparents, naked babies and panties on my head. Hearing my parents tell stories about my childhood has always been one of my favorite things. I realize that writing a blog is a little different because it’s public and the audience can be vast. I think I’m very careful to protect my children from unwanted attention and provide for their safety and well-being. I don’t share every detail about our homelife or my marriage. I do respect the privacy of my family and the feelings of my children. That is exactly why the number of posts has dwindled over the last few years from 5 or 6 a week, to just a handful. I’m trying to preserve some memories that our just ours and spend more time being WITH my children and not just constantly aiming a camera at their face for posterity’s sake. At the same time, this is my blog and I’m entitled to write, edit and share whatever is on my heart. There are days when that will be sweet as sugar and other days when I’m frustrated or cannot wait to share a funny story. I hope that one day, my children will read these posts and that my intentions will be obvious. That the love I share for them is something they cannot possibly miss. I hope that they see the emotion and the humor and smile. I find it hard to believe they’ll be angry at me for sharing their story. My children are well-loved, their cups are full and they KNOW it.
I have never once, in 1009 posts, received a negative comment before yesterday. No need to look for it, it was promptly deleted and I’m already over it. It wasn’t inappropriate or offensive, just unnecessary. I think the worst part was that it was an anonymous comment and I was unable to respond. One of the things I love most about blogging is the wonderful friends I’ve made, but never met. I love the dialogue and even the comparison of beliefs and opinions. I do not expect each of you to agree with everything I ever write and I know that there are some posts you will prefer over others. I get that, just be respectful and know that I would never share anything that I felt would irreparably harm or embarrass my children. If you really want to share with me how you feel and are open to hearing my response, please just click the contact button. I’ll be glad to talk to you with dignity and respect. Beyond that, if you can’t say anything nice, then it’s best to say nothing at all.
