Thursday, April 24, 2008

Lovers, haters, cretins and zombified pimps

I’ve always been ahead of my time when it comes to writing.

And it has always made people mad.

Or maybe jealous, I’m not sure.

To wit, I was a 13-year-old eighth grader when I became the youngest-ever columnist at the Haliburton County Echo. I earned 25 cents per column inch writing the Norland Natter and covering the events, news and gossip in the small village where I lived.

And kids used to tease me.

“Nooorlaand Naaatter” I remember one boy in particular chanting. “You think you’re sooo special writing the Nooorland Naaatter!”

I didn’t care.

He didn’t get it. I knew that writing in a real newspaper was an accomplishment, something of which to be proud. Something that one day I was going to be glad I got in on early.

And besides, he was just a big bully.

These days I write a blog that I like to think of as a lifestyle column. I call it Don Mills Diva and I write it on the internet.

And the big bullies are still there, tearing me down for having the audacity to think of myself or my writing as sooo special.

Many of you know that I was one of the bloggers interviewed for Tuesday’s Globe and Mail article on the ethics of mommy blogging. Many of you have already contacted me to express your shock and outrage over the multitude of nasty comments posted to the on-line version of the article.

It’s okay: it really is.

It doesn’t bother me because I know I’m ahead of my time.

I do wonder if Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry have ever been accused of being cretins or zombified pimps. I doubt it. But I imagine that maybe when they first started writing about their family life in the public sphere people were scandalized that they dared to – as a brilliant, fellow, zombified pimp put it – lift the veil on the intricacies and intimacies of family life.

In my admittedly small way, I’m trying to do what those writers do. I have talked before about emulating their style, about using my daily experiences only as a jumping off point for essays and musings.

We've all had moments when we look at our children or our parents or our aging face in the mirror and feel inexplicably moved by the passage of time and the richness of our individual experience. This site is about giving a voice to those moments, about finding beauty and poignancy in the mundane.

I’m just doing it on the internet instead of in traditional media because it seems to me that all the most compelling writers these days are fleeing traditional media for the internet.

And I’ve done the newspaper thing – I’ve done it on and off for 25 years.

I wrote the Norland Natter until the week I left for university and, incidentally, or perhaps not so incidentally, my mother kept every one of my columns, carefully clipped and labeled, in a scrapbook she whipped out at the slightest provocation, to my great embarrassment and secret delight.

Yup, my mother did what every damn, wonderful mother since the beginning of time has done: she made me blush with the unabashed pride she took in my accomplishments and in me.

And that, too, is what I’m doing here for my son. Here, on the internet.

And to those who taunted that my son will need therapy to overcome his shame over my exploitation here, I say this:

Mental illness drives kids to therapy. Drug and alcohol abuse – their own or that of their parents – drives kids to therapy. Childhood rape, incest, abuse, neglect, instability and pain drives kids to therapy.

Exploitation? I don’t have the stomach to discuss the ways that children suffer exploitation on the internet. It sure as hell ain’t on this site.

Proud, loving and enthusiastic mothers, even ones who “over share” are not exploitive and they are not the reason why kids end up in therapy.

I am a proud, loving and enthusiastic mother. I am, and always will be Graham’s biggest, and most embarrassing, booster.

What is Don Mills Diva, what are any mommy or daddy blogs, if not love letters to our children? (Thank you k-girl for the term)

This site is my love letter to Graham, my gift to him.

And I imagine one day when he is a strapping young man or even an old and grey one, he will delight in opening this gift, reading through these archives and seeing his family history unfold before him.

He will read the letter I wrote to him the week before he was born. He will read of his parents’ great abiding love for each other and his mother’s affection for his grandmother. He will read of his Oma’s survival under the Nazis and his grandfather’s love of bush planes. He will read of the tears, the awe, the struggles, the wonder, the pain, the beauty and the joy that, daily, his presence brought to my life.

And the love. Oh my yes, the love.

And secure in that love, I believe that one day Graham will be damn proud that his mother was ahead of her time.

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93 comments:

a kelly said...

YOU SAID IT!!
I didn't read the G&M article, but you are right I think, people can be bullies.
I like your confidence and your writing is amazing. Blogs are my newspaper. I care more about what I read here then anywhere else.
I also read Erma Bombeck faithfully. We are following in her footsteps.
Keep Sharing!

Her Bad Mother said...

EXACTLY. As I said to one anonymous commenter on my post on the subject, we can't guarantee that our kids are going to be happy about everything that we do. but if we do it out of love, real, fierce, proud love? Then we're walking on pretty secure ground.

Graham will be proud of you, as WB will be of me, and Leta of Heather, and so on. And we should really good-goddamned proud of ourselves.

xo

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

AMEN! These posts are "letters" for our children. I want them to be able to look back, as adult,and see what Mama did, felt, and thought about.

crazymumma said...

I need to read that article obviously.

I was once torn apart by my husbands family for my writing, esp with my consideration that my blog was to be something I would, in time share with my children. A chronicle as it were. Some of it ugly. Some of it sweet.

I stand by my writing. My complexity as a human being, as a person changing and growing into myself into parenthood.

Now I feel all angry at all those negative people. Gonna go make me a cup of tea.

great post.

Heather said...

Tell it, girlfriend. The haters are just jealous of your life. Just think how sad theirs must be.

Queen of My Domain said...

I think any of our children would love to read about our lives when they are young. I am sure your son (along with your mom) is going to be proud of you also. Your so much fun to read and if some people feel it neccessary to make rude comments than that's really to bad for them.

a kelly said...

one more thing...I blog about my 24 year old daughter...and she says:

don't stop writing...

I blog for her.
http://www.transformedbywords.com/2008/04/ive-told-this-story-many-times-but-you.html

Bird's Eye View Photography said...

I am with you! I cannot believe people have the audacity to leave nasty comments. If you do nto like something someone writes on their blog-- click away!

And I am with you on the gift you your children thing-- that is how I feel about my blog. It is my e-baby book. It is my journal of our lives. I know that later in thier lives they will cherish everything that was written about them.

karengreeners said...

A to the Men. I also thought of Dave Barry when I read the article, or countless other writers whose words are not used as weapons of bad parenting against them.

And I too think of how many wonderful, important, honest and joyful moments might otherwise be lost if I didn't get them down in print.

People either get it or they don't. The commenters of the article clearly didn't. We clearly do.

Angela said...

Hi, new to your blog via Her Bad Mother. Some of the comments that were left were so awful, I am glad you are not taking them too seriously. Your blog is for you and your family and the lucky ones who can also get a glimpse into your lives, the ups and the downs. Glad you will keep writing and sharing.

Melissa said...

glad to hear that you don't let other people say get you down. Good for you

dawn klinge said...

Good for you for not letting those comments get to you. Your blog is amazing and will be such a wonderful gift to Graham someday. I was a little shocked at the comments and how some people didn't even seem to consider the idea that they were writing about real people with feelings just like anyone else- it made me thankful for the little blogging community I seem to have found myself a part of, one where ignorant, mean comments are pretty rare.

Ali said...

my kids are a part of me. their stories are my stories too. and even though there are total judgers out there, i'll continue to write my story :)

great post!

OHmommy said...

Amen.

Truly the most perfect post ever, Kelly. :) Seriously. It. Is.

Kyla said...

Amen. Amen.

kittenpie said...

I think it's going to be interesting for these kids to get a view of their mothers as real people, to learn a bit more about what was tough, what was joyful, about our inner lives and loves and everyday experiences. I hope it makes them a little closer to us to be able to understand and see thier mothers in a totally different way than we ever knew ours.
The only exception is this - I will at some point take down my recent posts about not wanting a boy becuase I never want him to know that, and I won't give pumpkinpie something to use against him in the inevitable sibling fight one day.

Lori said...

if people have an issue with what I write about in my blog they don't have to read it. I keep my blog clean, something you can relate to, and real. I think most moms and dads who blog do it to connect to others who are dealing with the same experiences, but also as a way to deal with day to to day life. To show the world that we are mothers and fathers....not perfect people who pretend to have perfect kids

Anonymous said...

I think the commenters on that article were just a bunch of self-righteous idiots.

As a Mom, I often wonder if MY Mom felt like I did at this age. Did she face the fears, struggles, joys? I will never know.

But my kids will. And I think it is awesome.

A big AMEN to your post. Awesome.

KG said...

I second Lori's comment - if people don't like it, why do they always have to read it and then say how much they hate it? Just don't read it. Why can't people do that?

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

Diva, This is so... no
so...no not that
so...no that that either.
I don't even have words for just how incredible this piece is. I dont. WOW!

Thanks!

KEEP BELIEVING

Kamis Khlopchyk said...

Kelly?

YOU are amazing. I cannot believe people waste their time typing out comments like that. They are telling us bloggers to get a life... ahem, perhaps a look in the mirror might be in order, no?

What Angella said?

TIMES 2!

I love that my kids will read how proud I am, how much I love them, my thoughts, fears, joys and blunders. It is a gift.

Truly!

Chelle said...

Girl, go on and do your thing! Love that picture too, I think it pretty much sums it all up :)

Miss said...

Exactly!! What I wouldnt give to read a history of my life through one of my parents eyes. I know it would have prepared me for being a mother. Good thoughts or not, our kids will appreciate having this one day.

tricki_nicki said...

Amen sister friend. The other day I was worried about something I was going to post being TMI and my husband said, "Look, this is you. If people don't like it they don't have to read it. You shouldn't change who you are or how you write for anyone." See why I married him?

Keep your shoulder to the wheel, sister friend. Those people need to stop taking themselves so seriously - I'm glad you don't.

Claremont First Ward said...

I didn't read the article or comments until I saw your post. I'm super impressed that your wrote for your paper at 13! The best part about the comments is that the commenters say things like, "get a life". What about them? Who writes in to newspapers? What kind of life do THEY have? :)

InTheFastLane said...

It is too bad that there are always haters. Keep rising above them.

Aunt Becky said...

You're 100% right, you know. I'm proud of you and you're totally not my mother (are you?).

I'm always shocked by people expelling such vitriol at other people and their blogs.

I've been praying for a troll of my own to taunt (I have incredibly thick skin) but to no avail. Turns out they're on other blogs being assholes.

To me part of the beauty of the Internet is that you can click away and NOT GO BACK if you don't care for the author.

*shrugs*

Who the hell knows?

April said...

I can only speak for my own family when it comes to this - my kids absolutely LOVE it when they see me writing their names on my blog! I do think about their future when I write, but at the same time, I don't try to sugarcoat it too much for that reason. What I hope they'll see through my postings is my love, my obsession with getting this single parenting thing right, and that I loved them enough to center my world - both real and virtual - around them.

Allmycke said...

I wish I would've had a PC and Internet almost 30 years ago when my son was born! I am sure I would've been writing about being a scared, happy, worried, loving, afraid and proud mother. Instead I have to piece together events with photos and my own imperfect memories - but I can never be sure I get the time line right, much less that I remember everything that is worth remembering!
As for the ninnys who made comments about that article - I think 20+ people before me have said it all!
Keep on writing!

Jennifer said...

He sure will be. Proud, that is. Keep writing the love, mama.

GoMommy said...

You go girl! There may be critics, but they will always be outnumbered by your supporters!

MommyTime said...

You are so right, of course. We do this because we love our children and want to chronicle their lives. And the haters really shouldn't get the satisfaction of being given the time of day. My two cents...

Anonymous said...

Bullies -- not just on playgrounds, anymore.

No one ever gang-banged Erma Bombeck, did they? Bill Cosby used his kids as fodder for his stand up routine all the time. Did Judy Blumes children ever need therapy because of Super Fudge? NO NO NO NO!

You have talent. You have passion. You have a kid. They meet up here on your blog. No further explanation is necessary.

-Alma

PS -- HEY, your mothervoicing too! Very cool!

Anonymous said...

Brava!

The Erma Bombeck thing just occurred to me this week (I am, perhaps, a bit behind the times), and I will continue to celebrate it. My blog, my stories, read it or not.

Mandy said...

Beautifully put. I couldn't think of anything to add.

Sass said...

Erma Bombeck - who she? I'll have to look her up.

All I know is that I like reading your blog and I like reading all the other mum-blogs too. It's international, it's supportive and it's really not that different from meeting my local mum-friends face to face.

You keep on writing, honey.

flutter said...

The more I read you the more I love you

Corey~living and loving said...

I will never tire of coming here and saying, "great post!"

I KNOW that Sugar will treasure my blog. I so wish I had stories from my childhood to read.

It is a gift to our children.

Fran Beige said...

HURRAH!!! That was the best I've read so far. I wish the Internet would have been around when my mom was raising my siblings and me. I'm sure she would have blogged about it all and at least the three of us would have gobbled it all up. Oh well, thank God for her journals! And about the comments on the G+M article... I was flabbergasted at the tone of most of them. Those haters are mega exaggeraters.

LoriD said...

I read that article and immediately assumed that the commenters had never actually read any of the blogs they were critisizing. I'm glad you mentioned Bombeck and Barry - my mind went immediately to Bill Cosby. His whole act was about his kids and the funny things they did. He was never perceived as being exploitative; quite the opposite actually.

I wish my mom had a journal/blog I could look back on and see how she saw me and the world when I was a child. What a gift that would be.

RiverPoet said...

I'm with LoriD. I wish my mom had had a blog or a diary or something. How fascinating would it be to read about what her life was like while her kids were being born and growing up, reading about her hopes and dreams for us?

I read the article, which was good, and I read the comments, which were just "flames," IMHO. What I want to know is - who are these people who have nothing better to do than to sit around reading articles and throwing tomatoes at the subjects of those articles. What a bunch of Losers with a capital L.

I used to write an underground school newspaper in high school, and later I wrote for the local paper in Mount Airy, MD. It's fun but it doesn't pay well. Kind of like blogging (for which I don't make a dime).

Peace and keep blogging!

D

Karen MEG said...

He will be damn proud, no doubt about it. As we are of you.

You go, Kelly. I was happy to see you featured in the article... just those damned commenters got me freaky angry. But so over it now. As you are obviously as well.

Bravo!

BlondeMomBlog (Jamie) said...

Love this...love it! You keep on writing. I know you will go places! :)

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

Well said.

Kayris said...

I wonder if any of the commenters who posted unkind thoughts have actually READ a mom blog or a dad blog. And many don't seem to have children, otherwise they would understand the community.

Funny you posted this, I have a piece being edited on the very same subject.

Anonymous said...

I know that the nasty comments hurt. I get hurt too when I get nasty comments, but I shake it off and I keep going.

There will always be people who will try to knock you down. Especially the ones who are too chicken s**t to do the things they want to do in their own lives.

Some commenters have criticized me about what I write on my blog and what I teach my children. But, you know what, most of these people are just passers by. They will never come back and visit you again because they are too afraid that if they come back, they might finally understand you and like you.

It's funny that sometimes I get criticized about my parenting skills because ironically, my biggest fans are my children. They read my blog everyday. They even told all their friends about it. They think it's a riot in a poignant sort of way.

I've written too much already and I'll stop.

Blessings From Above said...

One day, your blog will become one of Graham's most prized "possesions" from his childhood.

Ignore the bullies, like you said, they are just jelous.

Mr Lady said...

I read the article. I thought it was a fine article, and did you proud.

I am shocked that there are nasty comments on there about you. I'd go read them, but I'll get all fired up if I do, so I won't.

You write a gorgeous blog, and I am proud to know you.

Anonymous said...

You write on a blog called Don Mills Diva? I think I've heard of it...

I don't find your blog exploitive. I think you're very sweet about Graham and I doubt all the love and sweetness is going to send him to therapy. People are so over-intense sometimes, yeesh!

Keep up the good work, Tex. I'm rootin' for ya.

Anonymous said...

Interesting article. I find it annoying the tone the writer had about blogging in general.

Kudos for your response to it all.

KELLY said...

Exactly! I didn't get a chance to read the article or hear the comments but I can say with certainty that what you're doing is not exploitation. I agree with many others that something like this, done by mother, would be seen as a real gift. It reveals your love, fear, pride... your true thoughts (something many of us grew up without). Graham will always have a true piece of you and your love for him. Write on!

Jennifer @ Fruit of My Hands said...

I had a good laugh at all the comments on that article.

I blog for me first. I think writing is fun! I blog for my kids second. I asked my mother this afternoon to archive my blog for me, as a Christmas gift so my kids can read it if they want when they are older. "Tell me about when I was a baby..."

And last I blog for my audience. Because apparently there are a handful of people who find it entertaining. I could care less what the rest of the world thinks about it.

Take care,

Jen

Janice @ Mom On The Run said...

Great response! I've written my own response: http://momontherun.net/?p=1324

Laski said...

Amen. I read the article and the comments (I was pleased to see there were some rather articulate defenders--they seemed to "get it.").

I adore your blog . . . and obviously, many, many others as well.

"This site is my love letter to Graham, my gift to him." What a gift!

Anonymous said...

Well now I'm curious about these comments and must go over and read! I really respect your take on this and feel like you're in a league of your own in so many ways. And that picture of you and your boy is totally over the top! Darling!

tommie said...

What an adorable picture of the two of you!

You are a shining example of grace under fire.

Laura said...

You. Are. The BEST. Yep...well said. I went and read each of the comments, and was a bit shocked regarding the ignorance and pure misunderstanding. Blogging is so much more than those people will ever get...it is certainly more than I ever imagined...thank you for this post...thanks for blogging!

Mental P Mama said...

Amen. That is one blessed boy.

Stomper Girl said...

I am astonished at the vitriol n the comments. Like you, this is my way of capturing my kids' early years and our way of life and I fully expect they will love it in later years! And I think it is up to the individual about where they draw the line, in terms of how much or little they reveal.

mamatulip said...

Yup. Yup. Yup.

Love this post, and what you're saying, and doing.

E said...

It is simply a new way to love them.
And the families of writers have always had to wonder what might wind up in print. Where do you think Tolstoy got his characters?
Graham will be simultaneously proud and embarrassed as all well loved kids are about all their parents....

shauna said...

So sad to hear that some didn't have nice things to say. "Boo" to them. And you, dear lady, carry on!

Run ANC said...

Hear, hear. You tell 'em. Buncha lousy spoilsports.

Jenifer said...

I am amazed at how simple-minded so many people still are, I guess I hang out too much in blog world where enlightenment is the norm.

These are love letters or as I sometimes say our living diary documenting the unique history that is our family.

Finding fault with that is just plain stupid.

JCK said...

You go, GIRL! Yes, jealousy lives everywhere. Idiots de Internet.

Chantal said...

Bravo!!

Rima said...

I never understood what is so horrible about writing about one's family on the internet, precisely for the reason you stated - how is a "lifestyle column" on the internet different from the myriad lifestyle columns in newspapers and magazines the world over?

Well said, DMD!

Cynthia said...

I could never put it as well as you...great post! Fabulous pic. too:)

Tootsie Farklepants said...

You just keep on keepin' on. Haters will always find something to hate. They are sad, unfulfilled creatures that take pleasure in trying to bring you down with them. Just ignore. ignore. ignore.

KatBouska said...

I'm fairly new to blogging...just recently turned my profile to public and have started getting obsessive about it. I just happened to read your name pop up somewhere...am kind of understanding that some sort of media circus has taken place regarding mommy blogging and I just want to thank you. Those bullies are picking on all of us, and you're pushing them back. This post was awesome and well said. Bravo. I'm a passionate writer too and we need to stick together. Well done!

Damselfly said...

You go! The people writing nasty comments probably don't have children or hate their mothers.

shay said...

I meant to stop by sooner and say congrats on the article! It was wonderful!

I'm okay with writing about my kids, talking about them etc...I think they'll be just fine thank you very much;-)

You rock!

shay said...

...okay I just went back and read the comments. CRAZY! Earlier this week I only read the article. I'm a bit in shock actually. Maybe these people don't realize that bloggers are real people and they're being mean.

I'm shocked most of the time by the comments made to most articles (read any of the celb stuff?...shocking!). I think they must feel a distance from the writers when it's in a newspaper and not a blog? Not sure!

Unknown said...

Your post just gave me chills. I rarely think of the archive aspect of our "Mommy" blogs. Thank You for reminding me in such a wonderful and poignant way.

painted maypole said...

yes.

"love letters to our children" is a great way to put it.

Anonymous said...

From a Stay at Home Dad Blogger's view, I think it's a personal choice. Isn't that our right as a parent? The easiest job in the world to have is that of critic; and like it or not, we've all held that job at some point. People do things everyday that we may or may not agree with, being able to learn lessons from that (good or bad) is the goal. I may not like the way someone treats their child in a certain situation, but unless it's physical abuse, who am I to step in and tell them how to raise their child? The argument will come up: "What about your child's rights?" Should I tell my Mom to take all my baby pictures out of her wallet and never show them to anyone ever again? Track down every copy of grade school yearbooks because my front tooth was missing? Point is; the choice belongs to you, not the critics. Sorry for trashing your bandwidth with my first response!

Anonymous said...

Having just read the piece and the subsequent comments, I'm a little annoyed. Especially since I consider you and Catherine personal friends.

As my readers and friends know, I am in a little bit of a different stage of mommy blogs, having started mine after my son died. And my children are older, not toddlers or babies.

Yet that hasn't stopped me from writing about them, for them or to them.

I view my blog as you do, a love letter to the family I've created. While I am sure there will be some posts my children blush with mortification over, I know they will be inherently proud of the words I write.

They will also have the benefit of understanding me in a way that I was not privy to understanding my parents as I grew up.

Well done my friend. I'm proud of you.

Holly said...

*standing ovation*

Kayris said...

Ugh. I posted my thoughts on this topic and an anon commenter told me that all mommybloggers are boring and stupid.

Suddenly I know how Steve Almond felt.

lattemommy said...

I'm just returning from a blogging hiatus necessitated by moving, and I'm spending my Friday night (after the kids have gone to bed, for the benefit of those who think I'm neglecting my children) catching up on my blog reading (I've missed yours!).

I am intrigued by the G&M article (kudos by the way for being chosen to be interviewed!), and particularly by the comments. So much so, in fact, that I think I'm going to write a blog post referencing the article and this post of yours. Hope you don't mind!

Backpacking Dad said...

You just keep sharing. I can't peek into other people's houses (uh, in any kind of non-creepy way), and I, like most people who live in areas they can't afford, don't know my neighbors. So my only litmus for parenting is the writings about it that I come across. I find my demographic by sense-of-humour and responsibility now rather than age, race, or sex, and that means going further afield than my backyard. So thank whomever for you, and every other writer who rolls up the shade to let me see how their dinner hour is going.

If you didn't write a mommyblog I'd just be too damned embarassed to write one myself :}

As Cape Cod Turns said...

OMG, I read your article, then the one you were quoted in, then the comments. Those were really mean spirited and honestly, didn't their moms ever teach them, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything!"

You do a great job writing and I think Graham will have some wonderful memories of his childhood, his mom and his dad!

Beck said...

I grew up with my dad writing frequently ABOUT ME. I'm fine!

Amy said...

I said this to HBM - I think a lot of the backlash is about the medium. I often tell people that mommyblogging (I just barfed in my mouth a little) is akin to Erma Bombeck - just with more cursing.

I think that the transfer of power from a small group of elite editors to writers is a large part of the negative attitudes about blogging. After all, just 10 years ago, you and I were beholden to a publisher to hire us in order to have our words read.

Now, professional writers have more power in the industry because we can hustle to get our voices out there - all on our own. Note the drastic drop in the New York Times Co.'s profits this quarter.

Fascinating debate and wonderful, articulate post.

Joeprah said...

I really have to agree with you here. I am new to your site and I just have to say that my wife and I had a conversation about blogs and blogging last night and how blogs provide an archive of our family's history (like you said) and that alone is worth its wait in gold. Kudos to you and haters are just that, let 'em hate and waste their energy being stupid, sorry they aimed anything towards you. I am interested in what you do in film. Sounds cool. I love making little family videos and would love to see some of your stuff. Peace out.

Lisa said...

You are fabulous, and I love, love, love the whole idea of this being a love letter to Graham. That IS exactly what we're all doing, and if someone doesn't like it, they can go away. I, on the other hand, will be right here reading all of your wit, sap and other amazing writing!

caramama said...

Oh, yes!!! This is so true!

You and other parent bloggers are making a real community here in the blogosphere, and that community is benefiting all the children. We write with love and happiness of joys and sorrows.

Thank you for your blog. Don't listen to those who just don't get it.

Blog said...

Great post, DMD! You know how I feel about all this. Keep doing what you're doing! I know I will! :)

contemporary themes said...

That is the cutest freakin' picture I've ever seen! And, I wrote my comment about loving your writing before I read this post. So, I got mad. I hate it when people don't respect and honor the talent of others.

You've got it going on, and I love that about YOU!

Mandy said...

I love this post. And I loved the article. You have a gift for writing....Graham is a blessing....'nuff said!

Anonymous said...

I don't use real names or post pics for this reason. But I use my real name, so it won't be hard to figure out.

Blogging has made me a better mother. It helped me with my guilt and angst over every misstep, and the support of other mothers has been invaluable. Without writing about my kids and my past, I would be a much worse mother.

Kash said...

I agree 100% of being ahead of the times. The people who are attacking you were the same people who probably boycotted computers two decades ago, and typewriters before then.

Anonymous said...

Thank you.