A Little Blogger Evolution

Front Porch of the House I Grew Up In, Lovingly Refurbished by Aunt Mattie's Son & Daughter-in-law

When I began blogging, it often felt as if I would write to you from beneath the blanket in my bed, flashlight in hand as I shared with all of you some pretty scary stories, many of which included ghosts from my past. It was like confiding in hushed whispers to a friend all the things I was afraid to speak aloud. Now, however, we've come out of the dark and oh what a joy that is to my spirit!

Today, when I come here with the sole purpose of writing to you, it is more like sitting down on some ol' front porch and unwinding the tangles of my day. That kinship and connection I feel to you, my readers, is stronger than ever and the numbers on my metaphorical porch continue to grow (...real soon we're going to need a LOT more chairs)! And even when we have difficult things to discuss, there is a great comfort in knowing that whatever it is, I can say it fearlessly.

We all have things in our lives that are uncomfortable to discuss. For some people, just letting those things go and moving on works well as a strategy to get them past difficult times. That doesn't work at all for me in most cases. I need to let it "out", purge it from my psyche', and hopefully find someone who can relate to my issues so that I don't feel completely alone (...and ridiculously foolish). Some topics I have to go even further, beat down with a shovel until I've mentally and physically exhausted myself in an effort to make sense where often there is none to be made (hence the dogged pounding that would go on endlessly if I didn't force myself to have a cutoff point). But now that I have this space with you, this porch where you happily sit by my side as we reflect, ponder, speculate, or just soak up "life", I feel the utter evolution of "blogging". I'm not sure what that word is supposed to mean, or even if I'm doing it "right". Mostly I'm just making up the rules as I go along and taking all of your fabulous feedback into consideration as I do.

We started this journey together in March of 2014 and two years later I want to say THANK YOU for:

• listening
• commenting, in public and in private
• sharing your own experiences
• not judging me or stepping on my pain
• sharing my words with others!

I am blessed every single day by the power, strength, love and support from all of you! Now, let's have a glass of tea, thank the baby Jesus that Monday is nearly over, and listen to these Robins singing in my trees!