Back already? Cheryl's post got me to thinking about why I blog to begin with. And why I miss it so much when I'm away for any length of time. And why I mourn when I lose readers (per the numbers posted on Google Reader). My blogging, much like my scrapbooking, is largely personal and done for me. I often use blogging to process my thoughts and feelings about what is happening in my life and the world around me and try to make sense of it all. It's a way to sort through the mess to get down to the nitty gritty of what makes me ME. What makes me tick. What makes me happy. What makes me sad. Where do I find my own bliss.
But if all I'm doing is sorting through my own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual baggage, then why blog? Why put it out there for the world to see? Because it is a way to connect. Because I want to be heard. Because I know that my wonderful readers can empathize and share in whatever I'm going through at the moment. And even though I know on an intellectual level that I'm not alone on this crazy ride called life, getting that validation from a comment that says "I know just what you mean" or "hey that's funny" or even just a simple little ":)" to say "I was here" can make a bad day better, a good day great. That is the power of being a writer whose voice is being heard. Blogging (and scrapbooking now that I think about it) is a way of leaving behind some proof that I was here. That I came, I saw, I conquered. That I mattered. That I made a difference somehow.
And all of that leads me to sharing the melancholy that I'm feeling today. Today I'm celebrating being the mother of teenagers and all that it entails:
I'm also mourning the loss of my sweet little girls. The ones who cheerfully cleaned their room, were eager to please, who loved learning, who loved spending time with family. It wasn't all that long ago that spending time with them was an absolute pleasure. I miss those girls and I wonder where they went and who these creatures are that took their place? You wouldn't know it just to look at them, but the aliens now inhabiting my sweet little girls' more grown-up bodies are lazy, sloppy, demanding, rude, irritable, surly, belligerent, mouthy, ungrateful little wretches. They derive joy from sleeping late, watching drivel on t.v., texting with the boyfriend, making fun of their parents' collective lack of fashion sense, listening to music played very loudly, and demanding to be fed. They are seemingly unable to amuse themselves any longer (I think their attention spans have shrunk since toddlerhood). I'm hanging in there, hoping that the aliens head back to the mother ship shortly and return my sweet daughters to me. What do you think my odds are?
Well, that's enough of my woeful tale of the invasion of the body snatchers. I now return you to your regular programming.... up next:
1) Actually DO this week's assignment for Library of Memories - that is a time-intensive commitment, but I'm determined!
2) Catch up on Design Your Life class assignments. Not necessarily doing every layout, but at least enough of them to bring me current with the class.
3) START my Pen Tablet class. Unfortunately this one got underway while I was travelling on business and I am now woefully behind.
4) Finish getting all my software reinstalled on my desktop (it was gone for a week being overhauled). I've started - PSE7 is functional again. But ACDSee is giving me an error message that my license number is invalid. Ugh. Support email has been submitted.
Obviously this list is totally for me. My family could care less if I ever accomplish a single thing on this list. But within this list is my creative time - my bliss. Wish me luck. :)
8 comments:
Cheri, I love your thoughts on blogging and scrapbooking. It's so true how the connections we make through blogging can enrich our lives. It's such a powerful tool in our ability to relate to one another; I wonder what we ever did before it.
Your layout is so reflective and insightful. Is the Weekly Gratitude project through JS or BPS?
I'm exited you're joining me in Set It Sunday. I need to add your #1 and #2 to my list. Thanks for playing along. Good luck - I can't wait to hear how you do! :)
I love 'chatting' to those I've met through blogging...and I love getting comments....even though that isn't why I started blogging.
As the mum of girls a bit older than yours...be assured 'they' will return to their bodies...though some take longer than others!
Just think, one of those "teenagers" becomes 20 in a few months. That's a whole new ballgame. I don't think they ever return to the close, loving relationship you had with them as children, but as they age, you will again become important to them, and when they become mothers themselves, then they begin to understand you in a whole new way...if you're lucky.
Cheri, this is an absolutely beautiful post - thank you very much for sharing it with us :-)
I wholeheartedly agree that blogging is a wonderful way to connect with people - I feel as though I have made some wonderful friends since starting my blog.
Thanks for the link to your no photos page - it was lovely to read. So, life just gets more challenging with kids as they get older????? ;-)
Superb post Cheri. I love what you said about the power of being heard..knowing that you have an audience is exhilarating and a bit scary at the same time. And you are right about the connections too. Blogging just makes life better!!
Loved this post :-) Really beautiful layout too. Thanks for sharing x
Great post, and like others, I totally agree about the pleasures of blogging. As for daughters, mine will turn 30 this summer. We'll never be as close as we were when she was very little, but we have a special relationship now that I wouldn't trade for anything. Unfortunately, she's clear across the country so most of our communication is done by phone. Thank goodness for cell phones!
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