Wednesday, March 12, 2014

So here is the deal ...

I tried.  I really tried to make my other space, my new space, work.   It just didn't feel comfortable.  And although I am a big fan of stepping outside ones comfort zone, in this case, if I am going to continue to write and share, I need to go back to what I know.  After 5 years of being here, this feels like home.  More authentic.  More me.  This is what I know best.


I have come back here a few times over the last 6 months and found a dozen or so comments left for me on previous posts.  Some random and not particularly noteworthy but most were from people who had googled a word, a phrase, a diagnosis, or a quote and found themselves here.  And their comments and have been amazing.  In some cases I have been able to reach out and help in some way or another.  I have to tell you that that has been the greatest gift of this blog.  The connections.  The feeling of making a difference.  I have missed here, as much as anything else.

So I am going to make a go of it again.  I know the layout of blogger and its format like the back of my hand.  Posting, although never a quick process for me, feels far more effortless here.  Not laborious.  As for the the people who found their way here before and tainted it with their vitriol words, I will continue to moderate and that will be that. I will not dignify any of it with any type of response or action.

I want to share this comment that came in a few weeks ago that I found this morning.  I thought it was absolutely beautiful.  

"Hi Heather. Thank you for something you had no idea you did. Nelson Henderson was my Grandfather. We grew up in Northern Manitoba. He passed away when I was 12, but I still remember him using that phrase Under Whose Shade to remind us that life was not always about "us" Today, I learned that my father (his son) has serious cancer and for consoling and some insight, I thought to google my grandfathers phrase and see what came up. I had NO idea his guide for life became viral. Especially since his passed away over 35 years ago. His life was very much about kids and family. They raised 8 of their own plus a few local orphaned kids as well. Reading a few of your posts, I suspect you share similar traits about life. Thank you for reminding me of the importance of my family. Jason Henderson." 

The quote he is referring to, in it's entirety, reads as this:" The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit."

And this comment reminded me also of one of my top 5 quotes ever.   Today, for whatever reason,  I felt the need to revisit it as well.

" Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we know: That we are here for the sake of others ... for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received." ~Albert Einstein

So here I am for the time being.  I think.  Fickle thing, aren't I?   

  

21 comments:

Melissa said...

Heather, So glad you are back, I have often wondered how your family was doing and missed reading about everyone.

colleen said...

fickle but lovable.... wherever you go I'll keep reading... love that you continued to get messages after signing off the blog.. how cool is that?
love you ... and your quotes
colleen

Reagan Leigh said...

Glad to see you're back at it! Stay in touch my eloquent friend!

jess said...

I would love to read your words again. I hope your family is doing well.
How is beautiful Zoey???

Elizabeth said...

I'm so glad you're home.

Peter Olson said...

I not only want to be the first person to purchase your book, Little Wonders - The Autobiography of Heather … Her Amazing Family, and the Most Amazing Girl Zoey, but I'm just letting you know now that I'm putting in my pre-order today.
:-)
Love, Hugs and Eskimo Kisses from the North!
Burrrrr! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Have a great day!
Peter J. Olson

Peter Olson said...

I read that comment last night on my cellphone.
It came as an email follow-up comment.
Wow! You have touched more lives than you can ever imagine.
Glad to have you back here.
Love and Hugs.
Peter J. Olson

Seriously, put me on a pre-order list for your book.
:-)

Meg said...

Yay! So happy to see you back and look forward to reading about Zoey and the rest of your family.

Michelle said...

So glad you are back. Even though you probably never thought about it when you started your blog, you are truly an inspiration to so many people. I thank you for sharing your thoughts which have changed so many of mine. Michelle

Amanda said...

So very, very glad to have you back!!! I can't explain the happiness in my heart to hear from you again! Hope these past months have treated you and your family well!

Kristin said...

Home is good!

Amanda said...

Also happy to see you back! I've wondered often about your sweet Zoey and family in the last few months!

Bea Braun said...

Wow, wow, wow!!! How beautiful that this young man was able to connect with you. And darn that Albert Einstein; as much a philosopher as a scientist. I am always uplifted by the amazing quotes and I'm so glad you are back to blogging!

CMSavage6 said...

I'm so glad you're back! I missed you.

Anonymous said...

YAY!! I'm so glad you are back!

- A long time reader who has never commented before. ;)

Alan and Lynne said...

So So Glad you are back. Glad for an updated picture. I have so missed your posts but most of all that precious Zoey. So grateful for all the times I have continued to check in to to see if you might be around. Lynne

Melissa said...

So, so glad to have you back here!

Eunice Johnson said...

Welcome back - I have missed you

Life and Times . . . said...

I, from time to time, hop back on here to see if just maybe you're back, and imagine my delight to see that you are. So excited!

Jeana said...

Well this makes me very very happy :)

Merideth said...

Ok seriously I have checked this blog pretty often to see if you have ever come back, and I miss you every time. When I saw this I literally burst into tears I was so so glad to see you! I have missed you and your sweet family SO much I LOVE the photo at the top of the blog and I can't WAIT to find out what as been going on!!! Welcome back!!!!!!