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Do I have to have a reason?

Why do I blog??

It’s a question that’s been floating around, asking people to define the reasons what drives them to share so much of themselves to the Internet….to bare your soul to strangers.  It’s probably been floating around as long as people have been self-publishing their thoughts…long years before I ever started.

I blog because I always loved to write.  I dreamed of a book with my name on the front and my picture on the back.  My words filling the space between and sharing my thoughts and imagination.

But that’s not why I started blogging.

I blog because the sense of community is incredible.  I can honestly tell you that one reason I’m finding the upcoming move to GA so much easier than I thought I would is because I’m taking a built-in group of people with me.  I already know how much I will be missing the friends that have been family to us for so long, but I also know I won’t be alone there.  I may be a hermit that never leaves the house, but I won’t be alone.

That’s not why I keep blogging.

I blog because, for whatever reason, I can tell you ridiculous tidbits of information about my family and you think it’s funny too.  You keep coming back and caring about the good and bad and goofy and heart-felt.  I love my kids, I want to share the wonder I see in them with the world…and YOU listen!

THAT isn’t even enough to keep me blogging.

I get an email from the mother of a newly diagnosed little girl.  Her tears were so obvious in her words, the pain and fear stirring every memory.  The news of another child going home on hospice fills me with a blackness,  I struggle with the anger and helplessness that the news brings.  The strength and fierce fight in these children, the passion with which they attack the cancer that attacks them…the families that are existing day to day.

The diagnosis’s, the survivors, the relapses, the deaths, the victors, the losses, the families, the understanding, the ability to reach out and tell another parent they’re not alone in it, the opportunity to tell people who might never otherwise know about it.

There it is.

MY reason…MY purpose.

16 Comments on “Do I have to have a reason?”

  1. #1 Keonte'
    on Mar 31st, 2009 at 9:17 am

    Great post. I agree completely. Blogging is therapeutic for me. It gives me a chance to share my world, which may not have representation in the ‘real’ world.

    Keep doing a great job, and being hilarious!

    Keonte’s last blog post..Give it Away. Give it Away. Give it Away Now!

  2. #2 tena
    on Mar 31st, 2009 at 10:26 am

    That’s wonderful!

    tenas last blog post..KMBFBAG- recharged!

  3. #3 Basi
    on Mar 31st, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    Yes, that is a powerful reason to blog, b/c you never know how your words are going to touch another life. You rock! I’m so glad that you found a way to share your awesomeness (is that a word, i like it).

    Keep blogging,
    love, basi

  4. #4 jennster
    on Mar 31st, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    i love you. 🙂

    jennsters last blog post..don’t be the stupid girl at the bar

  5. #5 Marla
    on Mar 31st, 2009 at 2:06 pm

    Great post…

    I thought I would share a happy store with you. My boyfriend has battled cancer twice. He was first diagnosed when he was 16 and once again at 20. Today he went back for his yearly check up and he’s clear. That’s something to celebrate…

    I wish more people could celebrate days like today.

    Marlas last blog post..Mithridates VI of Pontus

  6. #6 Lucie @ Unconventional Origins
    on Mar 31st, 2009 at 6:21 pm

    I heart you. You were one of the first in “the community” to embrace me and your blog makes me so much more aware and thankful for the many blessings in my life.

    Hugs.

    Lucie @ Unconventional Originss last blog post..Michelle Obama and the intersection of racism and sexism

  7. #7 AnissaM
    on Mar 31st, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    Thanks so much, love!

  8. #8 AnissaM
    on Mar 31st, 2009 at 8:46 pm

    *hugs*

  9. #9 AnissaM
    on Mar 31st, 2009 at 8:48 pm

    Hey, my awesomeness is buried under a mountain of laundry and loads of dishes…but I’m finding it somewhere. Thank you for your friendship. See? We would NEVER be as close if not for the interwebz, makes it all worth while.

  10. #10 AnissaM
    on Mar 31st, 2009 at 8:50 pm

    Much love returned, chicky.

  11. #11 AnissaM
    on Mar 31st, 2009 at 8:54 pm

    I can’t even tell you how much it means to me today. Today was a rough day and I needed to see words of happiness and celebration and just THANK YOU for opening up and sharing your boyfriend’s victory. Tell him what an inspiration he is to us, we look forward to seeing 16 and 20 and years of healthy life ahead.

    XOXOX
    Anissa

  12. #12 AnissaM
    on Mar 31st, 2009 at 8:56 pm

    Girl, I was just one of the first to jump on what will be the Lucie bandwagon!

    XOXOX

  13. #13 Amo
    on Apr 1st, 2009 at 8:16 am

    And reading your blog keeps me grounded. My children are healthy and yet you remind me daily to appreciate that gift. I hold them a bit closer and find myself a little less yelly because of you. Thank you.

    They thank you too…and want to come live with you.

    I’ll send the dog too, for good measure.

    Amos last blog post..Guess it didn’t skip a generation after all.

  14. #14 Ivy
    on Apr 2nd, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    And I am soo happy you do! They always make me so happy. I am officially not allowed to drink anything while reading them because I have already sprayed down the computer monitor after reading one. You have definitely found your calling!!

  15. #15 Mary in ATL
    on Apr 3rd, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    Just in case you have forgotten – I’m here in ATL waiting for you to show up & be awesome in my hood. My friends say I know “everyone” – I’ll share my friends …..

  16. #16 Stimey
    on Apr 6th, 2009 at 2:58 pm

    Exactly.

    Stimeys last blog post..Stimey Mood Update…Now With More Gerbil