A year of writing from the heart

When I sit down to work on a blog or any piece of writing, I start out with a plan to get me from Point A to Point B. Like any map, it helps get to me to where I’m going and provides a sense of where I’m headed and even rest areas along the way to stop and stretch my legs.

At least that’s the way it’s supposed to work.

I find with this blog anyway I don’t always know where my story is going to take me. I’ll start in one direction and double back, going in a completely different one from where I planned. I’ve found that by grounding myself or putting me under a deadline I’ve come to truly see how I feel and believe about a topic and my own memories.

My blog this year has taken me new places I never expected. I hope it’s worked that way for you too. Here’s my favorites this year. Which is yours?

—Missing the Big Valley. My love letter to my hometown and the special hold that it still has on me.

—Growing up poor. One day  I was a sixth-grader oblivious to the rest of the world. The next day, my world took a dark, drastic turn.

—Watching my kids grow up in front of me. I turned my back and my kids have grown-up on me. The things I look forward to seeing now that my kids are well on  their way to becoming young adults. 

—The tragic story I’ve never able to shake. I tell the story of a mother who years earlier had to say goodbye to her only daughter.

—Two versions of the same man. Dr. Jekyll let me introduce you to Mr. Hyde and why I hope my kids never have to meet either man.

—My cry for help. Flying down the mountain and out of control . . . fortunately this story has a happy ending.

—When the real thing becomes a letdown. And I’m not talking about Apple’s launch of the new MacBook Pro or even going back a few decades, the launch of New Coke.

—The faith of a child. And a child shall lead them.  

—I blame it on J.K. Rowling. I think the introvert needs a book club.

—A special night: Through Mary’s eyes. What I think Mary might tell us about the birth of Christ. 

—The challenges of move-in day. The day that causes father’s everywhere to break out in tears of joy and sadness.

—Five things I’ve learned from my dog. Let me introduce you to the smartest person (animal) I know.

I know which blog post is my favorite. Let me know in the comments which one you liked the best. Or the least.

And thanks for reading this year.