Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Happy Bloggiversary to Me!


Four years ago I wrote this:

"I have entered blogland with fear and trembling. Feisty is sitting on my lap and Care Bear is here too. I don't have time to think or write, but just wanted you all to know that Kristen has launched me. There have been so many great messages in the last two days that I feel I need to do some explanations. I will do that as time goes on. I just wanted you to know I'm here. Just Call Me Grandma Dawn!"

I had many family members who were quite surprised that I jumped in, because I had resisted for a long time. Three months later, I became a full-fledged member. . .


. . . and wrote this:


I am waiting for someone to begin a support group - Bloggers Anonymous. At that time, all of us who have known each other anonymously can meet face to face! Face it - we have an addiction. I wonder how soon it will become a part of the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition). I can see it now: Blogmania, a recently diagnosed mental disorder with the following symptoms:

  • Computer is on 24/7
  • You are running to the computer every few minutes
  • Laundry is piling up
  • Meals have become the frozen variety
  • Conversation with mate revolves around what you read in cyberspace
  • Blogger problems become bigger than life
  • Your mind is always thinking of what to write next
  • Depression occurs if there are fewer than 7 comments on any given day
  • You are sleep deprived from staying up reading hundreds of messages


    Of course, this is an exaggeration, and meant to be a bit tongue in cheek. Seriously, it does become addictive. But there are so many good things about this new mania:

  • I have met so many wonderful people from so many places - Canada, Chili, Australia, every state I've lived in.
  • I have found so many kindred spirits who know my Jesus.
  • I have seen miracles through the prayers of these new friends.
  • I have laughed and cried, both with tears running down my cheeks.
  • I have discovered people who have such a gift of words.
  • I have found astounding spiritual truths from new acquaintances.
  • I have been challenged to be a better Christian.
  • I have become better acquainted with family members who are bloggers also.
  • I now look at everything that happens as a potential post. It has opened my eyes to a whole new way of looking at things.
  • My memory has been jogged and I realize what a wonderful life I have had.
  • I was reduced to happy tears when so many people welcomed our prodigal home. God is so good!
  • So many of us will someday meet, if not in this life at least in the next.

It has been quite a ride. I have to say I've enjoyed it very much.
It is hard to imagine, before you jump into blogland, how close you can become to "cyber friends." I have been immensely privileged to meet 10 of my blogging buddies IRL (in real life, in case you don't know the the terminology). What fun!

There have been many changes over the last four years. Quite a few of my original followers are no longer blogging. Several are now Facebook friends, but I do miss their posts very much.

Many of us have stuck with it, but have cut down considerably on the number of posts per week. I am in awe of those who manage to write something every single day.

During my first couple of years of blogging, there were lots of activities going on - Christmas open houses, neighborhood visits, memes, contests, awards. Maybe these things still happen, but not in my circle so much any more. It was fun, but time consuming.

Blogging buddies have come and gone. I lost quite a few when I had to go private for over a year.

One former blogger asked on Facebook the other day if it was wrong to have more contact with our cyberfriends than our "real life" friends. If so, then I must admit my guilt. I can hardly believe how close I feel to so many of you as we share our joys, our trials, our prayer requests, our trivia, our families, our homes, our yards, our dreams with each other.

You have become prayer partners during many family situations - if it weren't for many of you, our little miracle twins may not have been born in perfect health. You have been such a support of Kevin as he has gone through his recovery process. You have shared with Sema as her family in Africa were in serious financial crisis. You have watched the 4 girlies growing up.

No big giveaway today - sorry! Just thanks to you all for your friendship. Some of you have been with me since Day One, when Diane hosted a Welcome Home Prodigal party for Kev. Many of you I have found along the way, and I wish I remembered where and how! I'm glad some of us continue to write. I love checking in on you every day or so. You are definitely a big part of my life.



30 comments:

Mike Golch said...

I'm Mike G.and I am addicted to blogging.That being said,Congrats on your 4Th blogversary!

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Happy blogiversary! My friends are almost all here on the computer because I have very few in person friends. I am oh so happy to count you as one! god bless and huggles.

Needled Mom said...

Happy blogiversary to you, Dawn. It is fun to go back all those years and re-read those early posts to see how far you have come. It is an interesting world that bloggers share with each other. We really do feel as though we know them personally. I am thankful to call you my friend!!!

nancygrayce said...

I feel as if we are really good friends. I know that you've prayed for my Paul while I've prayed for your Kevin and sometimes Kristen!

So keep on writing. I'M getting slower but I'm trying!

love to you!!

Gigi said...

I love a good celebration!! Happy bloggiversary to you! I wish you another 4 years of "Call Me Grandma Dawn!" God willing, I'll be reading!

Diane @ Partners in Prayer for Our Prodigals said...

OH! MY! GOSH! Dawn.....HAPPY Bloggoverary!! Can you even believe it!

I STILL remember the note from Kristen: "You need to meet my mom"....and then off she went to get you in cyberspace!!!

What beautiful friendships have been forged, what blessings have unfolded...and what miracles indeed!

The heart knows no boundaries....and I am blessed to call you my cherished FRIEND Grandma Dawn!!!!!

jmckemie said...

Oh, Dawn, how great to read this. I just thought earlier this week when you were so gracious with your words and support that I felt like I knew you better now than when I was there. While I never started a blog of my own, I am thankful that I was able to reconnect with you through yours! Sure wish now I remembered how I even found you. I think it was through Kym. She has one and I believe that through that I read comments that Nicole, Kara, Sherry...somebody that was on her site had and you had commented on THEIR site! While this technology stuff can quickly take our focus off the truly important things if we let it, it is also amazing for producing exactly the kind of support and friendships that you talk about today. Happy Blogiversary!

Linds said...

Happy 4th Blogiversary to you, Dawn! I can't believe it is 4 years already. Keep on writing, please!

Sandee said...

Happy 4th Blogoversary to you. Mike G. sent me over.

Have a terrific day. :)

Carole Burant said...

Happy Blogiversary dear Dawn!! It was 4 years for me in March so we both started blogging just a few months apart:-) It has indeed been quite a ride and I hope it continues to do so for years to come yet! I love blogging and I love visiting my bloggy friends and although I sometimes get too busy to do much of either, I still manage to get caught up...mostly! lol I don't ever want to give up blogging, it has brought so much joy into my life and the friendships made through it are irreplaceable!! It's so true how addictive it is and how close we feel to some of our blogging friends, more so than our real life friends. I think it's because through our blogs we open up about everything and often times put our hearts out there for all to see. I'm just feeling so blessed to have found friends like you and hopefully one day we can meet IRL:-) xoxo

Linda said...

I can't add a thing to this perfect post except to say Happy, happy blogiversary!! I am so glad we met. You have been a dear friend almost from the time I began blogging myself. Everything you say about it is so true. I am thankful for your sweet friendship.

Baba said...

Good morning Dawn, Happy Blogiversary..I am addicted to my blogging friends too !!! I love keeping up with each other's families through this great hobby..may you have many years ahead with being our friend and being yourself "Grandma Dawn"..
love and hugs, Baba

Robin said...

What do you mean, "No big give-away today"? Dawn - you give a piece of yourself every single time you post (as we all do) and we, your readers, are the benefactors of many wonderful insights, spiritual truths, prayers, and love.
Happy Bloggiversary to you and I sincerely hope there are many, many more posts in your future!
Love you!

Susan said...

Wonderful post, Dawn, & happy 5th bloggiversary!!!! You really summed it all up in this one!!!! Glad to know you both here, and as one of the Heart prayer blog. ((hugs)) and I'm one of those IRL friends since we got to meet!!!!

Amy said...

Happy Blogversary!

Sam said...

Congratulations on this exciting anniversary!

I am extremely glad you continue to blog, and I am one of the many who consider you a dear friend. I really want to meet irl someday!

Great post! Keep writing!

Unknown said...

Happy Bloggiversary, Dawn! I am so glad you started blogging and have stayed with it. I learn so much from you! You are an amazing wife, mother, and daughter of God. I enjoy hearing about your family and what's going on in your life. I look forward to another great year of blogging. :-)

Hootin Anni said...

You my dear Dawn have been a highlight of blogland if you ask me...I'm really glad we 'met' even if it is through cyberland. The thing is, we've become better acquainted and it's all through the work of technology AND fate! You rock our world!!

Regarding Facebook...I have an account, but never go out unless Irene emails me that she has posted photos of the boys. It seems too impersonal comparing it to blogging.


Thanks for popping by yesterday, I'm trying to catch up with all my visitors this morning. The baby turtle release was a grand success...I'll have photos of this event next week on my blog.

Midlife Mom said...

Four years! I don't know how long I have been blogging, don't think quite that long, I'll have to go back in my old posts and check it out.

Yes, it has been an amazing journey meeting some wonderful forever friends! I hate to think of missing knowing you and some of the others that I have become such good friends with. I don't seem to have time to post as much as I used to but do try to get at least one post out per week when I am in town. You certainly have kept us on the edge of our seats with your life experiences, I can remember so vividly praying for the twins before they were born. Look at them now, just perfect!

Will keep Kev and Sema on my prayer list as well. Kev has been down a hard road and I hope this is the last time he has to travel down it. The books on eating disorders look very good.

Yes, we had a wonderful time on our trip. It really was one of my all time favorites. I'm just a country girl and being there in all that country beauty was very special.

Spent all day yesterday at the lake. The furniture arrived but the carpenters, plumbers, painters and electricians were all still there so we couldn't move it all in. Had to clean out one of the sheds and put it in there and the rest piled up in the middle of the rooms. Friday night they are going to come back and put the beds and things together and place them where we want them.

Raining here but we really need it. It's been very dry the last month. I have had to do a lot of watering.

Duty calls so will close. Thank you for your friendship, I appreciate it so much! xoxox

A Hint of Home said...

You are so sweet, Dawn. Thanks for such nice comments. We love to entertain and sometimes use it as an outreach.
So glad you decided to blog and those comments are sometimes so true. lol

Mrs. White said...

What a cute post!!!! Congratulations on your 4th blogging anniversary!

Blessings,
Mrs. White

Susie said...

Happy Blogiversary :) So glad we met through the world of blogging and stay in touch through fb.
Thanks for the anniversary wishes :)
xo

SentimentsbyDenise said...

I definitely feel a special friendship with you in many ways. We do have a few things in common and it's good to stop in and read what's on your mind often.
Blogging does create a special friendship that is different, but still very fun!
Congrats on 4 years! I celebrated my 4 year blogaversary on 4/28 - but it went by virtually unnoticed (even by me!).

Glenda said...

I haven't been blogging as long as you have, but I have "met" some wonderful people - and experienced many things secondhand that I'll never experience otherwise (seeing places all around our beautiful country and Canada, for example). You are one of those special friends that I seemed to bond with immediately. I know that you have been a blessing to many! I believe our blogs can be greatly used by God to encourage others, and I'm all for that!

Sharon Lynne said...

You have been a great support to me, especially when things were rough with my prodigal. (and we know the roughness continues on...so we pray for each other.) The road is long, but our prodigals are in God's hands and will come closer to the Lord each day.

I can relate to the different aspects of blogging you brought up...like seeing "potential posts" in every day life. It makes one appreciate the little things.

I have truly enjoyed reading your blog!

Brenda said...

That is so neat Dawn. I remember those days of memes and awards too, tho' I haven't been blogging but for 2 1/2 years.
I think I met you right before you went to private and so didn't get to know you soon enough! Glad you're back in my life.
Hugs and congratulations.

grammy said...

I enjoyed reading about your blogging journey (o:
I think I have been doing this for 3 years
how time flies (o:
You left a comment about getting the girls...
I so understand
we are not what we use to be
it is wonderful in so many ways
but tiring too
It is alright
we can say we get T-I-R-E-D
but we are still amazing Grandma's (o:

Jess said...

Okay so now I know the prob bob! I wasn't a follower of your blog...ever since you were private and then came back...well i never joined to follow and I wasn't getting your feed...problem fixed...I completely apologize...and I promise to do better!

Now that that is settled...I want to wish you a very happy blogiversary...I have thoroughly enjoyed yoru blog and will continue to do so hopefully!

Congrats!!!!

Love, Jess

nannykim said...

Four years! Congrat!! It is a neat world. Glad you entered upon it! You surely have been through a lot in those years. God Bless!

Christa said...

Happy "Blog" anniversary, it has been a remarkable and God blessed ride. Hope to read more from you, you are very blessed.