I’ve been blogging for almost a year now. When I started last May, I really wasn’t sure where I was going with this thing, and a lot of days I’m still not sure. But it’s been a great experience.
When I started, I thought my role as a single dad would provide a unique prospective of parenting. And I also hoped to make my posts fun and entertaining to read with my . . . (hmmmmmm, how can I say this nicely) . . . unusual sense of humor.
My son and I during a relaxing spring break. When my blog started, I planned to focus mostly on my family. Thanks to you, my readers, for giving me the encouragement to continue writing.
And that’s how I started out. But then something happened. I found that I really enjoyed the writing process. And as I continued to write, I started to add more serious posts, posts about my past. Posts that allowed me to examine events in my life that I hadn’t before.
If you’ve read my blog before, you know that over the past year, I’ve written about experiences with my late wife, Tracie, who died of cancer. Some were very serious, some were more fun. But I’ve found the whole process to be very therapeutic. Some of the details I hadn’t thought about in years. And many I had never really talked about before. It was a good feeling to share those.
That’s why I want to thank you, my readers. Some of these things were not always easy to write about.
I want to thank you for putting up with me during some of these more serious blog posts.
Thank you for all of your support and encouragement over the past year. I really had no idea what to expect as far as feedback when I started last year. But the comments I’ve received have been so overwhelmingly positive, and I am so thankful to each of you for reading, liking, commenting, following, passing along a word in person, liking on Facebook, . . . well, you get the idea.
I wish I could go around and thank each of you personally for the kindness and encouragement you’ve shown me over the past year.
I’d also like to thank WordPress for providing a forum where writers can write, experiment, and talk to and received feedback from readers. This is a great forum, and has allowed me to grow as a writer, and as a person.
And as some of you already know, I have a book coming out in just a few months. Raburn Publishing thought my story was an interesting one, and we’re putting the final touches on the book now.
I find the whole process exciting. And amazing. When I started, I never imagined that I imagined that it would lead to a book. But again, I want to stress that each of you are a part of this success as well. I promise without the support and encouragement I’ve received from my readers, this would not be happening. I’ll share more details about the release of the book as I know them.
Again, thank you. Each of you, for taking the time to read my blog. And for the support you’ve shown me over the past year.
It’s been a wonderful experience for me. And I look forward to where the next year can take us.
Holding together the jello 
Congrats on the book!
I agree that writing can be therapeutic and lead to helpful introspection. Glad it’s been a good thing for you too!
Thank you!
Yes, blogging has been a great release for me, a great learning and growing process. I’m glad to hear other bloggers have had similar experiences.
We grow with each other and share joys and sorrows along the way. That is the essence of the relationship between writer and reader. Blog are unique because of the level and frequency of interaction. I’m new to the process and have a feeling I will be like you, starting out unsure where I’m going with this and reflecting on my journey after the first year. I look forward to your book.
Sammy, thank you. And that’s a very good point. I don’t think I had thought about it that way, either. I know it’s been a very rewarding experience for me. But a lot of the reward has just been in writing about some things that I had never really talked about much before. It’s been a great process for me.
I hope you enjoy your blogging experience as much as I have mine. I’ll be looking forward to seeing where yours goes as well.
I am so sorry for your loss. I just began following you, and I haven’t had a chance to read your prior posts (I’m only 2 months new to WordPress), But after the April A to Z challenge is over, I will have time to delve into some prior posts, and yours will be one of the blogs I do that on. I am following you,
so will keep up to-date from now on. Take of yourself! Sammy
OH wow, well first I had a horrible sinking feeling that you were leading up to tell us you were leaving WPand blogging, phew you are not, great. congrats on the book, it is your life history etc? Very exciting and I love your posts, don’t get too famous and leave us x
Ha! Don’t worry about that. I enjoy blogging too much. One of these days you’ll probably be begging me to quit my blog 🙂
Thank you for your kind words. You have always been so supportive of me. I really appreciate it.
Hah i would never beg you to quit your blog, complete poppycock!!! Does a Queen Victoria face!
Keep me posted on the book release !!, looking forward to it
Thanks Nan. I’ll definitely make sure you get a copy.
Thank you for all of your support over the years.
I’ve enjoyed your post. I’m Maureen’s step-sister and knew Tracie. Your blog is a way for me to keep up with Hannah and Sam(whom I haven’t met). My daughter and Tracie were pretty good friends although they didn’t see each other that often. Good luck on your book.
Thank you so much for reading and writing me a message, Delores. I hope some day you’ll have a chance to meet Sam. He’s quite a kid!