Thursday, February 19, 2009

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.

15 comments:

Junior said...

Gavin has an amazing story, such a little fighter, we stopped by his site to let them know we are praying for him.

Anonymous said...

As you said I really don't know how I found your blog but I have been checking in as often as I can. I am glad to have found you.

I know exactly what you mean about the families getting into your heart. I find that it usually starts with reading one blog. The one that caught me is www.prayingforparker.com. I want so much for him to be well.

I really think of all the families I follow as if they are my family. I worry about them and pray for them and get super excited when they are. I hope that I have let them know that they are important to and feel my prayers too.

Now I am off to learn of Gavin and start my praying for him and his family :)

Thanks for sharing your family
Kim

JUST A MOM said...

I'm glad you started blogging!

Let me know if you are getting out for a pedicure...I'll join you.

Gerry Adams said...

Love your blog,
I Hope you have a nice weekend.
Gerry :-)

Anonymous said...

Heather and family, we will most definately add Gavin and his family to our prayers. He is beautiful. It is funny how people find each other. When we learned our Emilia most likely would be born with DS I researched and searched the internet for any kind of help and understanding. I never thought I would find it in other families. I was looking mainly for medical info and somehow stumbled across one blog then another and so one.It's another world out there of people who speak our language and share the same feelings and array of emotions.I never thought that after my Emmy gets up in the morning and is settled with her bottle I would be running for my lap top to check on Zoey.Thank you for letting us into your lives,kisses to Zoey and prayers to you all. Stephanie

Anonymous said...

great family photos





Bluebelle

Reagan Leigh said...

If it wasn't for this whole blogging thing, you and I would have never met and I honestly don't know how I could have made it through all of this without you! I am so extremely thankful for our friendship and I look forward to us actually meeting someday soon!! And I'm so glad you posted something for Gavin. Your blog is so widely read, I think it's going to get that many more people praying for him at a very crucial time. I'm glad to hear that no one else has picked up the crud (especially Zoey)...I hope you all remain healthy so you can enjoy your weekend at home!!

mrsrubly said...

i will head over to Gavin's site in just a sec! God sends ppl in your life to carry your mat when you need the most! i truely 110% believe this~i am so happy that everyone is doing great in your neck of the woods! escaping? what's that!? LOL> i hope the pedi is full of luxury and the starbucks is wonderful b/c aferall you deserve the most! i don't think stir crazy is the even the word for you! LOL..take care

The VW's said...

I visited Gavin's site and I will be praying for this inspirational family!

Blogging has been a wonderful outlet for me as well. It clears my mind from the thoughts that race and it has 'sent' me to some wonderful families, like yours! You and many have been such a blessing to me!

Lacey said...

I have found so many new friends by blogging. And so many with close to the same challenges as us. Its a great outlet.

Melissa said...

It is a beautiful thing to be part of the blog world. As a single parent, it's been almost therapeutic for me at times to get the support from fellow bloggers!! I'm so grateful to have met you & your sweet Zoey! You are very inspirational to me as is Zoey & she's always in my prayers...PRAISE GOD for your strenghts!

Will have to go & check out Gavin!!! I love reading & discovering new Hero's;)
God Speed!!

Heather said...

You are so right about this blogging world! As I have posted before, a family member sent us to your blog and my son Evan and I check it every night before bed and offer our prayers up for Zoey and your entire family. It has become part of our nightime routine. We will add Gavin to the list of our nightly prayers. Love to you all today and always!

Heather and Evan

MJMILLS said...

Thank you for so openly sharing your story. Like I said on your first posting that i commented on the other day, I found you guys from Gwendolyn's page. ANd like you say, this site is theraputic for you as well as "us." Thanks again for sharing such intimate details of her life. I really do enjoy this sort of secret world of blogging!

Maureen said...

I feel like I am a better person and mother having read about Zoey and Gavin, and caring so much about both of them. Praying for all ya'll, per the usual.

Kele said...

I love the pic of Grandpa and Zoey!