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.Â
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 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 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
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 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.
AÂ Man Named Joe
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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!
19 comments
I’m really enjoying your Blogmas series, Fadra. Thank you for putting so many great posts in one place! 🙂
Thank you for reading AND for participating. I’m glad the effort was worth it!
Hi, Fadra, thank you so much for including my piece, “The Baby.” I am honored to make your Blogmas list and cannot wait to check out the other post you’ve highlighted. I really appreciate all of the reading and culling you’ve done to assemble this.
I don’t often think of blogging and fiction but WOW. You are talented. That was such a fascinating story all told in the span of one post. KEEP IT UP!
I am so flattered that you included my post. I love your blog – you inspired me to keep my passion for writing and to continue to focus my blog on exactly that. You ROCK.
Love it, Annie! And I love that you not only defended yourself but you took a post for a cause and made it personal. Excellent writing!
I’ve been following along this week, now if I could just find time to read some more posts! 🙂
Tell me about it. I had a LOT of reading to do. Serves me right for never seeming to find the time during the year!
Because of the personal nature of my piece, I am even more honored that you chose to include it. Thank you Fadra. It means so much. 🙂
Had I read that post before I started Blogmas, I would have easily picked it as one of the 10 best of the year. Really, really moving post and very well-written.
Thank you so much for including me, Fadra! It is an honor.
You have such a unique perspective on everything (especially motherhood), Keanne. I’m so glad to share your piece here!
I too have been following along all week and have LOVED all the posts you have highlighted. Thanks for including my piece and can’t wait to read the others.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Judging by the name of your blog, you are clearly on the right path to overcoming your fears. Unfortunately, the movie Jaws scarred me for life. Yes, I’m dead serious.
I don’t know how it’s possible that I’ve been here before…. follow you on Twitter, Instagram, and other places but I don’t have you in my reader. Something that is now remedied!
You know, I do the same thing. I feel like I “know” people and then realize I’ve never even visited their blog!
I am honored to have made your Blogmas list and to see many of my very favorite posts and writers on here as well. I’ve loved this series and have discovered new favorites too.
Thank you for being such a big supporter of this. I so enjoying reading your posts and I’m so intrigued. What a life you’ve lived!
Thank you so much for including me in your blog roll! I am truly honored and touched and can’t wait to peruse some of the writers you’ve expertly gathered and to treat myself with your posts too! 🙂