Reflections on the Blog

In November, my blog will be 8 years old....

I have thought a lot about what I wanted to say about that...nothing was really springing to mind.

I set out to use this blog to help myself.   To get over something that was too horrible to keep inside.  I never meant to cause pain, or get retribution.  I just needed a place to vent.  I seem to have gotten that in spades.

Over the years, I know I've been petty here.  I've shown a side of me that is not pretty.  I've tried being honest and keeping to my true self as much as possible....I am sure I've failed at that as well at times.

I have caused pain with this blog and for that I am sorry.  But also, I have found my voice through this blog.  I've written pieces that I hope to get published (if I'd just get off of my ass and do that).  I've made 'friends' here, some of them I still have the pleasure of 'knowing'.  One of those friends and I caught up today and I can not tell you how much joy it gave me to reconnect with him and find out he is happily married and doing very well.  Blessings be upon his house.

I've chronicled my sorrows, my hopes, my fears, my aspirations, my frustrations, my career path and all manner of life as it takes it's shape and hue and forms my 'world'.  I've had people reach out to me and share their sorrows, hopes, fears, and joys and I have been humbled and honored to be a small part of their lives.

I want to thank some people that I've known from early on and name them...maybe they still read this, perhaps they don't but they were a part of this process from it's inception:

Jeff Hess - Author of   Have Coffee Will Write
George Nemeth - Author of Brewed Fresh Daily
Linda - Author of  Auterrific
Guru Stu - Author of Guru Stu's Muse
Tish - Author of Love and Hope and Sex and Dreams
Liam - Author of Liam's Odd Musings
All the Amazing Women of Blog Sisters
Sue - Author of Easy Bake Coven
Salman
Tribe
My wonderful husband, Erin (who came on board years after the 'worst' had happened and now makes it possible for me to experience 'the best' life offers in terms of love and marriage).

I am sure there are countless others I have not thanked, people who have sent me encouragement and somehow found help through my writing.  Thank you all for reading and for your responses.  Every single one has meant a lot to me.

I have to also mention the phenomenon of having people read my writing about 'Awful Normal' - I am not sure what has happened but if I have helped one person by speaking out - again - it was all worth the time and the pain.

I do not know what the future holds for the blog...maybe (LOL) a book deal?  Who knows.  But I do know I've enjoyed writing and reading and will continue to do so.

Peace and Love to you All,
Colette - October 2011