Blogging Joy

Today I received the loveliest email from a very special lady. Carolyn at Mountain Meadows sent me a note to let me know about a post she had written after reading about my nephew Boo. Her words just warmed my heart and made my spirit soar. Carolyn truly does have the soul of a poet. I just want to say thank you to dear Carolyn and to all of you. When I began this blog last year, on October 20th, 2006, I really had no idea where it would lead. I just wanted to try it, have a little fun and, perhaps, use it to stay in touch with family and friends far away. It has become so much more. It is my creative outlet, my source of inspiration, support, my joy. I have discovered new friends that have become so very important to me. I have learned that we are all really so much alike. It does not matter where we live, what the color of our skin may be, the size of our house, or our family status. We are all different, we are all the same. We have each made connections that, without blogging, would not have been possible. I can not now imagine not checking in with Kim or Rhoda or Pat, Andrea, Sue, Lidy, Bethy to see what new tweak they have added to their decor. How sad I would be not to see how dear Pea's garden is prospering ot how Sharon Kay is up to! I would surely have missed out if I had been unable to check in with Corinne (our Jafabrit) and see what amazing work she was creating in her studio. I have come to depend on the creative inspiration of blogger friends like our house romantic Cindy, Rosemary in California, Sophie Honeysuckle in England, Jenny the Polka Dot Pixie, Donna at the Decorated House, Charlotte, Cherry, Deb K., Robin at Frecklefarm, Gold, Sugar Bear Karla, Kim and Toni at Rabbit Hill Creations. I feel so blessed to be able to share in the lovely photographs by special talents like Nature Girl and Betty Jo. I would have missed the connection I now have with Andi, Jen, Terri, Sheila, Missy, Teresa, Cheryl, Gretchen, Dawn, Valerie, Jolene, Coleen and so many others who now hold special places in my heart. I would not have come to know the precious faces of the children and their delightful stories that Melissa, Leona, Jill and our Brown English Muffin share every day. I would not have learned the lessons I now incorporate into my life from dear bloggers like Susie, Sioux, Connie, Betty Jo, Mari-Nanci, our Sheila in Canada and her beautiful daughter Blue. And, of course, what would I do without sweet Deb and her lovely girl, Kate, Lisa (our oceandreamer), Cassandra, Grace, Susie Q, Carolyn, Twinkle Pink's Ginny, Tammy, Chris, Country Pleasures and dear Rosemary. I would have missed out on the delicious writing that has, at once, made me laugh out loud and shed more than a few tears. Such talents like Pamela, Mama P., Brenda, Mom2Fur (Clare), Wendy, Carolyn... When I began this blog, I had a few detractors. There were a few who felt it was a waste of my time and just so much fluff. Needless to say, those people were wrong and are no longer near by to see how wrong they were. What a joy this blog has been to me. You are all so special to me. I have come to lean on your strengths and to learn from your teachings. You make me laugh and weep. I love seeing your children, your pets, your gardens, your homes. I feel that I have been able to delight in your happiness and to share in your painful experiences. I think the world of each and every one of you. I thank you for your love, your support, your prayers, your warmth, your compassion, your bright spirits. I wish I could hug each of you and tell you, face to face, what you have meant to me. Until I can, this will have to suffice. Much love and heartfelt thanks. Now and always.