Why I Blog

Yesterday, we received news from "highly trained technical people" that they have not been successful in retrieving the contents of our hard drive. That would be the hard drive that held numerous personal spreadsheets, tax records, address lists AND 2 1/2 years worth of pictures. We performed a back up of the pictures about 9 months ago, so I have a disk that has now earned its place in my safe deposit box...but the last 9 months worth of pictures, unless they made it to the blog, seem to be gone.

Add this to my list of the reasons I am glad I started a blog.

Recently, I was in a conversation with some acquaintances who were basically making fun of the fact that I blog. They simply could not understand why I choose to put memories out on the world wide web for others to peruse (often anonymously and without comment). I have reflected on this and think there are a few good reasons (in addition to archiving things in a place other than my hard drive which might crash and take my memories with it.)

1. I went into preterm labor at 23 1/2 weeks. I spent 4 days on bedrest at home before being admitted to the hospital for 8 more weeks of bedrest. Shortly after delivering the babies, my health took a nosedive and I was intubated in the ICU, unconscious with a pulmonary edema and a serious peripartum cardiomyopathy. My 31 weeker preemies (whose weights ranged from 2 lb 6 oz to 3 lbs 3 oz) were in the NICU. My sweet husband and our parents bounced back and forth from the NICU to the ICU for a week. Friends, family, acquaintances and strangers rallied around our family with thoughts, cards, prayers, visits and support. The Internet, by virtue of e-mail and my father-in-law's website, became a lifeline for us. As my health returned, my husband & I discussed how overwhelmed we had been by the tremendous outpouring of support and agreed that we would be forever grateful to our community. My blog updates are truly an ongoing "Thank you" to those who pray(ed) and support(ed) us along the way.

2. I love blogging because it allows people to check on us when they feel led to rather than me needlessly filling up their In Boxes with pictures and updates. Whether folks want to check on us daily, weekly, monthly or rarely...is their business.

3. I get to share my testimony on an ongoing basis, while documenting these days for my children. I do not scrapbook. This is a time capsule for my children.

4. Writing challenges me to constantly slow down, drink it in and be reflective about our life and our blessings.

5. I have made some great, true friendships across the miles. This has truly been the biggest surprise of this endeavor. I started this blog as a one-way form of communication. I wasn't trying to meet people. I didn't start getting any comments for months. Yet, in recent months I have reconnected with old friends and made new friendships that add much to my life. As bloggers share their struggles, triumphs, everyday concerns and observations, my life is enriched and I am challenged in my growth as a Mom and a person. I admit, I used to think it was completely bizarre for people to form relationships through laptops. What I have realized through blogging is that I am getting to know other bloggers on a deeper more meaningful way than many casual acquaintances. I love that through blogging you can cut through the superficial small talk and get to know people by virtue of some of the deeper issues on their heart.

I am also aware people are able to fake their identity more easily through this medium. Therefore, I am still struggling with safety concerns. At what age will I decide that having my children's names and pictures on the web for any random person to see begins to feel like a threat to our safety? Is it really that different than the risks of being out in public places with my children and someone strange following us home...I don't know.

But for now, ESPECIALLY with a crashed hard drive, I am grateful for this little hobby of mine.