Thursday, September 04, 2008

Happy Six Months


Six months ago today, I started this blog. Before I started writing it, I had thought about starting one for months. I had been told by another expat acquaintance, that writing a blog really helped her with the isolation that she felt sometimes. So when I finally decided to jump into blogging with both feet, I found that she was right. I have also found that blogging about my new life here has allowed me to take a breath and to be in the moment. This experience of living abroad is no longer just speeding by me without me noticing. I am becoming more present.

A lot of the time in my life, I have hurried from one thing to another and as I age I look back and think, ‘Where did all the days and years go?’ And the answer for me is, I wasn’t paying attention really. Not often enough at least. When my mother passed away, I missed her and mourned her so much for a variety of reasons. But one thing that crosses my mind sometimes is, I wish that I had listened more and talked less when I spent time with her. I guess though that a lot of us have those thoughts when someone we love passes. But her passing so suddenly made me realize so truly that we have to live in the moment and cherish right now.

Blogging has served me in many ways over these six months. It has made me feel a lot less isolated. I have found a definite sense of community in the blogging world. And it has helped me to witness my life day by day and to relish it and to take the time to really see it.

Six months ago when I started this blog, I was still nursing deep wounds over my mother passing and I was trying to find my feet here in England. I look back on what I wrote that first day and I can fully remember what I was feeling that day…things that I didn’t write about and I know in my heart how far I’ve come in so many ways. Every day isn’t peachy, but this Georgia peach is doing fine. So happy six months to me! :-)

26 comments:

Lidian said...

Happy blogiversary! I also enjoy the interaction with others (great for an introvert like me!).

My mom passed away 9 years ago this month so I am thinking about her a lot just now. I know how tough it is, believe me.

Oh and BTW, though I don't live in England I am married to a British guy, too.

Anonymous said...

Happy blogging anniversary. I can't wait to read through your blog more. In a few years we will likely have the choice of going overseas with hubby's company... something we really want to do. I love reading about expats already overseas, how it is going for you, etc.

Dori said...

Lidian,
Thanks for the happy blogiversary. I do enjoy reading your blog too and blogging is a great medium for connecting with people. I also think of my mom a lot around the time she passed. Incidentally it is New Years Day. That is the power of blogging though, you always find others who understand. And that is so cool about you being married to a British guy. :-)

Wendy,
Thanks for the happy anniversary wishes. I'm glad you came to visit me and I hope you enjoy reading more. :-) I do hope that you get your opportunity to live overseas for a while.

Thanks to you both for stopping by.

Dori :-)

Channah said...

Happy 1/2 year anniversary!

Marie NP said...

Hi Dori Happy 6th monthsary! Thanks for dropping by.

Dori said...

Channah and Marie Peede,
Thanks to you both for the happy blogiversary wishes!!!

Dori :-)

Anonymous said...

Happy 6th month blogging! :)

Anonymous said...

Happy six months to you and your blog! :)

The first blog is really special. My first blog got lost in oblivion and then it suddenly resurfaced after many years, and it was like I found an old friend. I'm glad you have found blogging :)

Mharms said...

happy 6 months dori

A Valdese Blogger said...

Cool! (Do they say that in England?) I think I'm up to two months myself. Keep it going, its a nice blog.

Ivanhoe said...

Very happy 6-month anniversary to you! I hope I'll see you around for a long time, as I enjoy reading your blog :o)

Anonymous said...

Congrats! In a few short days I'll be congratulating myself as well. You definitely have me hooked as a READER. I always enjoy the peacefulness I find when reading your blog, even when you took us on that dizzying ride. :-)

Ivanhoe said...

It's me again! Stop by when you have a minute, I have something for you ;o)

Mayet said...

happy anniversary to you!!

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Happy six months, indeed!

Dori said...

Babette,
Thanks for the good blogging wishes to me.

Verabear,
Thanks! You are right. Blogging is like a good friend and has been really a great outlet for me.

Marlyms,
Thanks!

Valdese,
Yeah, they do say 'cool' in England or at least I do. :-)Thanks for the encouragement. I love visiting your blog too.

Ivanhoe,
Thanks! I'm so glad that you enjoy reading my blog. I like reading yours too. I can identify with your love for two countries. :-) Thank you so, so much for the award. I'm honored.

Jacqueline,
Thanks! That is so great that you will be celebrating too. I will keep watch on your blog for the day. :-) Congrats early. I'm so humbled that you like my blog so much and that it gives you peace. And I sometimes go back and look at that video and get dizzy all over again. LOL.

Mayet,
Thanks so much.

Susan,
Thanks for the congrats.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversay. You know, I started the blog to help keep record of my daily life. It has really been neat to have it to look back on earlier days. When I have the time, there are many "reasonable" services that can turn your "selected" post into a hard bound book.

Dori said...

Tammy,
Thanks! You are right. It is great to be able to look back on your life through your blog. :-)

CharmaineZoe said...

Happy Blogiversary, Dori, thanks for keeping your fingers crossed for me, Looks like I'm going to need all the help I can get :-) I lost my Mum very suddenly too a few years ago so I can completely empathise with what you have been through. Like Verabear & Tammy I have had my blog quite a while, over 4 and a half actually, and it's great to be able to look back now and read my earlier posts, and you too will have that pleasure in a few years time :-)But it's only thanks to Entrecard that it has really taken off and having so many great people like yourself visit has really spurred me into trying to make it even better and so much more fun - so thanks and congrats:-)

The Silver Age Sara said...

Dori,
Happy six months anniversary to you and your blog. I'll have to go back further and read your earlier entries.
I'm so sorry about your Mother's death and I can only imagine how lost and heartbroken and lonely you must have felt. It's a struggle to make it through those days of grief.
I so agree with you about being present as we tackle our days. We never know how many we have and it's so important to be in the present.
Your blog is wonderful and I'm glad I found you.

Dori said...

Charmainezoe,
Thanks. Do keep safe and it is great to be able to look back and it will be great to look back in a few years time. Blogging is like a snapshot of our lives. And it's true Entrecard has brought me also into contact with some great, great people like you. And it does spur me on too, to do even better. Thanks for visiting me. :-)

Mountain Woman,
Thanks so much. It is great to connect with others in the blogging world and share our own experiences and have others share theirs with us. It is the power of blogging...community. It is great to find understanding and validation from so many. I really appreciate it. :-) You are sweet in your praise of my blog. I truly enjoy yours too. It's meditative. I'm glad I found you too.

Mike Golch said...

Congrats on the six months. in Dec my Rambling Stuff will be a year old.

Sara said...

Glad you have found the outlet you needed.

Sara

Dori said...

Mike,
Thanks for the congrats on my six months and an early congratulations to you at your great blog. :-)I'll be visiting for the celebration.

Sara,
Thanks for stopping by and yes, blogging is definitely the outlet I needed and I have met all of you great people. :-)

Dori

Gypsy at Heart said...

Hi. New to your blog and loving it. Just wanted to add my two cents worth and congratulate you also on the anniversary. Keep going. As a blogger myself, I can say that only good things have come from my blogging. Wonderful things learned and wonderful new friends. You are not alone.

Dori said...

Gypsy at Heart,
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for commenting on my milestone. :-) Your encouragement is greatly appreciated and I'm so glad that you like my blog. You are so right about blogging. I have also already gotten so much from blogging. I just love this community. It is just what I needed and I get to meet great people like you.

Dori :-)