I went to a blogging conference last year that included a town hall meeting of sorts. It was a chance to talk about the state of the parenting blogosphere and the issues that were weighing on our minds.
As the conversation went deeper and deeper into talk sof monetization and revenue streams, someone stood up and told us all to remember that it’s ultimately about the writing. And I thought, yes and no. I like to write but I also like to find ways to support my writing habit.
But in reality, for the type of reader I am, it’s the writing that will draw me in and keep me coming back. The posts I’m featuring today run the gamut of topics, from personal stories to heart-pounding fiction. In all of them, though, you’ll find true writer.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.
Benjamin Franklin
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The Post About Belonging To A Club No Mother Wants To Join… and Knowing I Am Not Alone There by Ashley at The Dose of Reality
Most of us, at some point in our lives, will have to face the death of our mother. Nobody wants to think about it or prepare for it. But it happens. And time moves on. We can’t stop it. Instead we acknowledge it, rue in it, and maybe even embrace it. This is one of the most poignant posts I’ve ever read.
Being Motherless: Reflections After a Year
The Post That Might Make You Grab a Big Ball of Tissues by Kelli at Momma Needs a Beer
Shortly after the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary that left so many us in shock, not knowing what to do with our emotions, many bloggers took to the internet. Posts of all sorts flooded our timelines and newsfeeds but Kelli’s is the one that stood out. Recognizing that one of the biggest crises we’re facing in this nation is the issue of mental health, she shared an extremely personal story that had me shaking my head saying, “I had no idea.”
The Stigma Over Mental Health
The Most-Difficult-to-Hit-Publish Post by Robbie at Fractured Family Tales
This post read like a ripped-from-the-headlines episode of Law & Order. Only it wasn’t fiction. It made my jaw drop and made me want to hear more. It’s an amazing story that was clearly difficult for Robbie to write about but I’m glad she did.
Innocence Lost
The Simply Fabulous Fiction Post by Courtenay at Soup
I’ve recently joined a book club and realized that chicks dig stories with twists. But I didn’t realize you could fit all that in to one little blog post. A post that made me think, I hope this is the teaser for the book because I want more.
The Baby
The Post That Made Me Triple in Respect for My Mother and My Grandmother (and decide yes, it was, in fact, time to up my dose) by Maggie May at Flux Capacitor
This post is about marriage and words. It’s full of raw emotion as Maggie deconstructs her world as she knows it (as suggested by one of her readers). It’s a maddening and gut-wrenching and beautiful take on her life at this moment.
I’ll Wait For You {Scenes from a Marriage}
The Post That Makes You Shake Your Head Saying “Yes, Me Too” by Erin Lane at A Parenting Production
This seems to have been a year for self-loathing. The year when many of us stopped and looked at ourselves with a much too critical eye. But at least we recognized it and we faced it head on so we don’t make the next generation of beautiful girls feel this way about themselves.
Sometimes the mirror lies
The Post Full of Tear-Jerking Honesty by Annie at Mama Dweeb
You know what’s worse than surviving a rough childhood? Having someone make judgments about you because they have no idea about your childhood. Like so many Americans, Annie’s family has financial troubles when she was growing up. Her personal story with food stamps is the sweetest revenge to anyone who ever doubted her sweet heart.
Why I am doing #Surviveon35: my experience with food stamps
The Post That Helps Remind Me Just How Lucky I Am by Caraline at Mistress of Mayhem
Every person has a story. Every single, solitary human being has a history and a story about what led them to where they are now. And we don’t get to use our experience and our hindsight to judge those people and the decisions that led them to where they are now. Caraline outlines a beautiful story of how she was reminded of that.
The Unique Beauty of Homelessness
The Post That Shattered My World by Robbie at Fractured Family Tales
It’s amazing how some moments stick in our minds with complete clarity. No matter how many years pass, we can still remember the smell, touch, taste… everything about that moment. This is one of those moments for Robbie that has stayed rooted in her deeply.
Forever Gone
The Mama’s Girl Award by Kallay at Kallaydoscope
I considered putting this post in with the other fabulous posts yesterday on motherhood. But then I realized that this isn’t about motherhood. It’s about daughterhood. And how one daughter found a way to appreciate her mom from one single mother to another.
For My Mother
The Post Upon Discovering, via Facebook, That Apparently Friends Can Quit You by Keanne at Family Building With A Twist
I’ve written many times about how friends wander in and out of our lives. I’ve also written about how the digital age has made it easy to end a friendship with a click of an unfriend button. Unfortunately, it’s a sad reality and one that sometimes comes with a bit of hurt.
Bidding Adieu to Old Friends
Best Post Written to Answer the Annoying Questions You Get from People When They Ask “What Do You Do” Because Apparently You Are Required to “Have A Job Description Follow Your Name At All Times” by Myrdin at “Roots and Wings”
I’m not really sure I need to say much with a post category like that. But I can tell you that Myrdin is a bundle of positive energy. In fact, I almost think this post should be called the Myrdin Manifesto.
“Whatcha Doing?”
The Pep Talk Post I Need the Most by Christine at Random Reflectionz
Sometimes words just flow and create a beautiful picture and feeling. And I like that. I like to go deep and read and think. This particular post made me think of one of my favorite songs, “Waiting for My Real Life to Begin,” which seems to be a recurring theme in my life.
The Waiting Place
The Post That Makes Me Say She’s My Friend. I Love Her. This One Made Me Love Her More. by Allison at Dropping Stitches and other adventures
Sometimes words just flow and create a beautiful picture and feeling. And I like that. I like to go deep and read and think. This particular post made me think of one of my favorite songs, “Waiting for My Real Life to Begin,” which seems to be a recurring theme in my life.
Comparing Myself
The Best Lesson Learned From Getting Water Up Your Nose by Christine at love life surf
Personally, I’m like a fish in the water. I love it and can stay there all day. Unless it’s the ocean, which is why I probably related to Christine’s post so well. She, however, takes her fear of the ocean and faces it on her journey to learn to surf. And in the process, I think she might have found a few metaphors.
Fear of the Ocean
The Post About Heartbreaking Choices by Carrie at Written Ramblings
What looks like a writing exercise is actually a really poignant piece written about an attempted suicide. It’s written with detail and humility and even a touch of humor. And thankfully, it was only an attempt, because it does get better.
Drowning
Best Pretty In Pink Reference in a Post by Kim at Mama By The Bay
Do you get the title of the post: Isn’t She? If not, let me give you some background. Pretty in Pink was one of the many teen angst films in the 80s starring Molly Ringwald. Pink is feminine in all the right and wrong ways but Kim finally learned how to make it her own, without any angst.
Isn’t She?
Best Political Post That Made Me Stand Up And Cheer by Jenna at The Chronicles of Munchkin Land
This was a reader-nominated post, in case you thought I might be standing up and cheering. While I may not cheer at the political discourse (even now), I do think that Jenna’s story is a story worth telling in any political climate.
Dear Mitt Romney, Here’s my 47% Story
Best Post About Joe by Outlaw Mama at Outlaw Mama
I might argue that this is the only post about Joe but only Outlaw Mama could tell it. Her grandfather went by the name, even to his grandchildren and he made an indelible mark as a unique man who left this world with unanswered questions.
A Man Named Joe
The “Next Beth Moore” Post by Kallay at Kallaydoscope
First of all, I had to google who Beth Moore was. She’s an evangelical Christian and it’s pretty clear where Kallay stands with her faith. But faith doesn’t always equal fellowship and community. Growing up, we became church hoppers (and yes, I have some interesting stories to tell) so I can feel how transformative it was for Kallay to find right where she belonged.
You Are My Church!
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Are you ready for more? Don’t give up yet! I have one more installment to finish this celebration of Blogmas. Think of it as the ‘Potpourri’ category on Jeopardy. But the posts are just as good!
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