Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Happy Blogiversary

This month Marks the 1st anniversary of my blogging experience. My first post was actually on December 17th, 2004. This will be the 140th posting on this blog. I have posted an additional 27 posts on my two "sister blogs", The Gospel Study Page, and Our Family Heritage, for a total of 167 posts all together. Sometime today, this blog will have received its 6,000th hit. To all of you who have visited The Whole Note, I thank you for stopping by. I especially would like to thank all those who have shared your thoughts and feelings with me in comments. Many of your comments have been thoughtful and inspiring. Its nice to know that someone is actually reading this stuff, and that at times it resonates within others, and that once in a while, it even does some good. I think I take the most satisfaction in knowing that.

My original intention for this blog was to provide a way to keep our dispersed family (scattered all across America) informed of our doings. To a large extent, this blog has succeeded in that regard. My hope would be in the future to get more of my extended family members into blogging as well. That would be fun!

This blog has also provided me an outlet for sharing my impressions and feelings as well. I have always enjoyed writing, and having this blog has given me a reason to write more often.

Along the way, I have become "acquainted" with some fellow bloggers with whom I share many common values and interests. It has been fun to "meet" these people, and share comments back and forth on our blogs. It has been an enriching experience, and I value the on-line friendships that have developed.

At times as I have been out for a walk on my street, I have perceived that at each home, there are struggles going on within. Daily battles being fought in each home, often in "quiet desperation." The Internet provides a way for some of those desperate struggles to be openly discussed in a way that is just not possible in face-to-face communications. Often times I have seen fellow bloggers gathering around someone who is suffering and struggling, with words of encouragement, hope, and faith. I have seen such communications coming with the true spirit of charity and love, with a desire to uplift and to build one another.

I have seen many kinds of struggles this past year. There are struggles between good and evil, and the consequences that come from our choices. But many of the struggles and challenges I have seen this past year are those which do not necessarily come because of sin or poor decision making. Rather, they are the tests of mortality that we are called upon to endure. The things that try men's (and women's) souls. I call these kinds of challenges "Random Acts of Mortality" . These types of struggles can include health issues, a loss of loved ones, employment problems, financial crises, relationship problems, and mental illnesses. Some parents struggle with special needs children, with the financial, psychological, spiritual and emotional demands that entails, along with the need to be an advocate on behalf of your child with the schools and various public agencies.

Then there are those whose struggles are way more than I could ever imagine coping with. I don't know if I could face up to the challenges that they have shouldered. I know its not right to compare ourselves with others, but to those who struggle, and still are fighting the good fight, you have my deepest respect. There are those of you who struggle with some of the same kinds of issues that I and members of my family struggle with. It has been inspiring to see how you have dealt with these issues, and the faith and courage you have shown in facing them. You have set a good example for me, and have bolstered my faith. My hat's off to you.

May each of you receive the choicest of the Lord's blessings in the coming year.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your kind words. It's nice to have a friend with the same belief system as me, without it being my husband or mother. You're right, there are ways to connect with people on the internet that you just can't in person. There was a time, maybe, when you could but not anymore.

Mary A said...

David, what a wonderful post! Happy Anniversary! I had my one year of blogging in October, so I know it's exciting. I have enjoyed writing for my blog and sharing all sorts of things--daily happenings, insights, discoveries of interesting things on the internet, etc. I have also enjoyed the making of new friends, who really are friends even though we don't meet in real life (so to speak). I learn from and am inspired by other people's posts, too. I was happy to discover your blog and to now, from this post, realize you have other blogs for me to look at! The whole world of blogging is very cool.

Tigersue said...

Here I have only been blogging a couple of months, took me a long time to get up the nerve, courage, what ever, to get one going.
What wonderful words, hope mine can become that kind of encouragement to others.
So much to remember this time of year isn't there.

Anonymous said...

To Type the accent in Téa's name just type T and then alt 130 then a. I hope that helps. I love your word on your blog and the comments you leave on mine. Have an awesome day!

Anonymous said...

Happy blogging Anniversary!! Blogging started out for us as a way to keep in touch with family too. My husband owns the space and using some free software set up my blog in June of 2004. A month later my sister had him set her up one. One by one all of my immediate family has come on board with a few aunts and cousins as well. It has been such a boon for us, a wonderful way for us to keep in touch with each other and share photos and our doings. It has meant a lot to me too.

I've also made a lot of good friends this year through blogging. It feels like a nice sense of community. I've been glad to find your blog too--as many of your words have resonated with me and given me lots of food for thought.

Thank you and have a wonderful day!

Tigersue said...

Hi there,
I have gone in to see your wife's blog, I hope to see more. Yes I'm a nurse and I haven't worked for about 4 years, going on five. I really don't want to go back to work, but I keep my license active by doing CEU's online.
Tanya

David B. said...

Thanks for all of your kind words. I have been learning a lot from you as well.

Wishing each of you a Happy New Year!!