Reading sad things

I am a reader of blogs.  Kind of a lot of them.  Sometimes they are very funny; sometimes they are informative.  And sometimes they are sad.  Recently I have been following the story of Kate and her son Gavin in her blog Chasing Rainbows.  I cannot possibly do her justice, so I will let you read about her yourself.  Please do, because her grace is well, amazing.  Last week something incredibly sad happened.  Gavin died.  He was 5 years old.

I have been asked why I read sad stories like Kate's.  I have been asked if they affect me.  They do affect me.  I am deeply saddened, yet unable to stop reading the stories that are written.  I have asked myself why, because other people ask me why.  This is my answer.  If someone (like Kate) has been brave enough to write her story down and allow me (and others) to read it, then I feel I owe it to her and to her beautiful son to read it.  I will cry for her, her husband, her other son, for Gavin.

It helps me feel connected to women who are just amazing.  I am learning how to have grace and courage from these other women who are not afraid to share their stories with the world.  So  I read them.  I try to learn from them.  

Today was Gavin's funeral.  I wrote his name on my hand, along with a a little rainbow.  I held space for Gavin'd family today.  I prayed and held them up, mentally, every time I saw his name.  And maybe that is why I really read blogs.  So that I can be reminded to not give up hope.  And I can, in my own quiet way, hold space for another.  

new blog title?

I think the time has come for my blog title to change.  I am still a first time mom, but not a new mom anymore.  I have been thinking about this for some time but I am having a hard time thinking of a good blog title.  Anyone have any ideas for me?

I know there are a lot of people who read this blog who are not followers. Can you please do me a favor and "follow" my blog?  You can choose to be anonymous if you want; I just want to get my numbers up!

Thanks!

truth in blogging

Okay fellow bloggers.  Here is the deal.  Sometimes I really want to write about a situation.  But I know if I do there is a big chance that someone close to me will read it and most likely be hurt by it.  Not that I would be writing anything very negative.  I am sure that these are situations that happen in everybody's life.  But it probably would feel different to be reading about yourself on someone's blog than just experiencing it in real life.  I would imagine that it would mostly be because everything would be from my point of view.

Anyway, I just wonder what other people do.  I am guessing most people just don't write about it.  Which is what I do (or don't) even if sometimes I really, really want to.

Blogging report

There are several blogs I follow on a semi-regular basis. I used to follow them religiously when I was a SAHM. One in particular, My Four Monkeys, has giveaways that are pretty awesome. I have not won anything yet but hope to in the near future! So all you Moms and Dads out there who read my blog, get yourself over to win something soon! Here are some of the current giveaways: The Very Best of Enya collection, Bob the Builder and Madeline DVDs, and Castle Company soaps to name just a few.

Check out the blog and let me know if you win anything!

Here is another giveaway contest on Love That Max. It is for 3 free books! There are other giveaway contests on this blog from time to time. Other than that, it is a really cool blog about a Mom's journey with her son Max who happens to have Cerebral Palsy. Enjoy!