My dear friend Jessica has a blog. You might have heard of it before; she has only like, say, a thousand readers and counting!
And rightfully so. From Marriage to Motherhood is beautiful and smart and heartwarming, just like the real girl herself.
Jessica and I went to the same high school together, but it wasn’t until we became reconnected that our friendship really blossomed. Our casual email exchanges of pregnancy woos {our girls are only a few days apart} were wonderful in their own right, but after reading her blog, I let my guard down immensely with her. Through her blog posts, I learned so much of the woman she is, what inspires her and how she makes it all look so darn perfect. It was like a tiny glimpse into her world, and I was grateful that she allowed me to be apart of her life in that way. Before I even conceived of this blog, De Su Mama, the blogging world had already given me the best gift possible: a new lifelong friendship.
After Jessica told me about a website that can make your blog into a hardcover book, I was sold. I love books. I own a library of them. The thought of writing a book, over a length of time, on subject matters relevant to my life and specific to my child{ren}, was too tempting to pass up. I had already seen the beautiful letters Jessica wrote to her sweet daughter, Ilah, each month and so wished I took the time to document Alina’s growth in such a beautifully, thoughtful way. If for no other reason, this blog is meant for my children, from their mother.
The role of motherhood is still very new to my full being however. There are other parts of me that were left at the door when I entered into this momentous occasion of having a baby. I love to read. I love to ask questions and research. I love soccer. I love being a woman. I love cooking. I love to travel, and because my resources {being money and time} are limited, I love to research far off places that I can’t immediately travel to. I really do have detailed iteneries to Peru, Argentina, Tanzania, that I have created and saved on my desktop although I have no clue when I will actually travel to these amazing places. Like I’ve said before, I’m a nut!
But the most rewarding reason for which I put forth such great effort in creating my blog is something I did not anticipate at all. I forgot how much I love to write! I’m not sayin’ I’m good at it, I’m just sayin’ I like doing it. It’s my way of creating something from a blank canvas, and that creative outlet has been extraordinary for my day to day level of fulfillment.
Growing up with my Step Mom and Sister has meant many wonderful things in my life, one of the lesser fantastic parts {because the level of fantasticness they bring to my life is truly without measure} is all the pretty crafty stuff. My Step Mom crochets, loves to plan over the top parties, and in general is just really creative. Of the most special things Alina’s Grammy has made is this beautiful blanket that was wrapped around my baby the day we brought her home from the hospital…
{Truth be told, nearly every blanket my child has was handmade specifically for her. From my Aunt, my Sister, my Best Friend and even my Step Mom’s Best Friend. She is abundantly loved.}
My Sister is just a true artist. She has visions of artful concoctions and has an incredible ability to turn those visions into something tangible. Take these scrapbooking pages for example….like, really? I don’t know of anyone else that can take some paper, little sparkle thingies, and document their lives like this…
You would have thought that growing up with all this talent would have rubbed off on me, and to a certain extent it has. I can make pretty hair bows for my sweet girl and other simple crafts. But it takes so much effort for me to be crafty. I’m just not a natural crafter. I joke with my Step Mom that I can’t cut a straight line, and compared to these beautiful woman, I really can’t. I always wondered if there was an outlet for my creative energy that I would be proud of. The search for my craft has been a long one, but now that I have my blog, I feel as though it may be over.
When I write, I don’t struggle as much. Its organic and simple, without as much self consciousness. I can transform a blank screen into a blog post that is {at the very least} grammatically correct and even sometimes pleasant to read. When I write, I am creative. Each day providing me a new platform in which to practice my craft. When I write, I am unique and am challenged to showcase every part of who I am.
I am whole when I write. And this is why I blog.
You have a beautiful soul, evident in the way your daughter is growing. Your words are poetic and whenever I read them they look like soft pastel skies painted in my mind’s eye. Writing most certainly is your craft and this is why I read your blog.
I can always count on you for sweet words of encouragement, Emma Kay. Thank you!
Your writing is bright, cheerful and honest. I believe you have a beautiful soul (in agreement with Emma Kay!) Please keep writing for yourself; your daughter, and your loyal followers. We are learning from you.