The Beauty of Blogging .....

I would be hard pressed to accurately express to you this crazy world that I delved into almost a year ago.My journey into blogging began mostly as an outlet.Zoey was newly diagnosed with Infantile Spasms and I had stumbled upon a godsend of a site, while surfing the net for information.While all my search engines led me to the dark side of IS,this site radiated light and hope to Zoey's latest medical crisis.I emailed the mom and she asked if I had a blog.A blog?Seriously,me,the consummate computer illiterate.So I googled:"setting up a blog" and .... here I am.Who would have ever dreamed this outlet would have morphed into the what it is today?And what is "iT", exactly?For me,blogging has been an absolute blessing.Hands down.I found immediate support and discovered almost instantaneously, that I actually wasn't this lone entity,struggling to find her way with a medically fragile child.I found countless others who were also searching for connection and at the same time were willing to step outside their very own overwhelming life circumstances,and lend a hand.Or an ear.Or words of encouragement.Or even and most especially prayers.As time passed I became hooked,vested and fell totally in love with some of these families.Their stories.Today,some of these cyber-friendships have withstood the test of time.They have become more than the random comment here or there.They have become a thread of commonality that spans time and distance and defies logic.How is that feelings can run so intense and deep for people who you have never even been in the physical presence of and quite possibly never will?Dumbfounding.But that is the way it goes down in blogosphere.Ask anyone who dwells here.Might be an interesting psycho-analytical project for someone.Today,my purpose in sharing a bit about my experience in internet journaling,lies in the story of a boy.A tiny and mighty fighter named Gavin.Months and months ago I received a comment from someone who had found me through another site.Again,just the way it happens here.One click leads you to another ,to another and so on.Sometimes you have no idea how you got from point A to point Z.But there you are and sometimes you are just drawn to stay and read and before you know it you are hooked and something,a feeling,a sign,a certain something ... keeps you coming back.Well,I clicked on commenter profile,which in turn led me to this blog and the first thing that popped up was the header.A vibrant blue wall and sitting in front of that wall was absolutely the most darling boy I had ever seen.A darling face with dimples to match.He had on a little rash guard and swim trunks and well,he was so darn cute.As you studied the picture more closely you were then drawn to the tubes.And the lines.And the bags.From just a glimpse of this photo you could quickly tell this was no ordinary story.No ordinary boy.I read on.I read his story.Their story.From the beginning.I have never stopped reading.His story,this boy, now lives in my heart.This week Gavin's story began a new chapter.One that is filled with a great deal of uncertainty but one that holds great hope for his future.I am sharing Gavin and his family with you in hopes that you might add them to your prayers,if you are the praying type.Or perhaps you will just pause for a moment and feel gratitude for the life you have and for the health of your children.I share so you might see a boy that should not and is not defined solely on a diagnosis or struggle but is instead a boy that embodies courage and resiliency and beauty.Gavin represents the beauty of blogging to me.As do the other families and their amazing children that inspire me and force me to stand outside my personal space and give my time and energy to something other than my very own corner of this world.I am the all the better because of it.Because of them.Blogging has gifted me in ways that I could never,ever have anticipated.Inexplicable,life changing ways.I thank those of you who have faithfully stayed with us.Followed our journey.Zoey's story. And those who have shared it with others.Especially now,because now, more than ever, I find that the support lends such strength to our journey, knowing that Zoey has touched so many.But today this is not about Zoey.Today I share because of the love I have for this little man Gavin.If you get a minute check in on his family.Lend whatever it is you have to give.Maybe just a silent prayer or good vibe.As for us.We are doing fine.Jake has gotten past the worst of his deal.No one else,knock on wood,has come down with it.Zoey is doing her thing.We are glad to be basking in the comforts of home.Although,home means home.Lock down.We venture nowhere.Which makes for a slightly stir crazy mom.Weekend is almost here which means I may make like Houdini and escape for a bit.Nothing exciting.Starbucks and maybe a pedicure.We'll see.Thanks to all of you that have hung in there and weathered the long rantings and ramblings of this blog.It has been a life line and for those of you who have thrown me one ... I thank you.With all my heart.

* Picture's are from my Dad's 77th birthday celebration this evening.