From My Heart

I've been gone a long time. I know. And some of you have sent heart-felt emails and comments to my blog saying you've missed me and asking if anything is wrong. Your sentiments have meant a lot to me, sometimes even bringing me to tears. But it was tonight's email in my inbox that spurred me to action. There was nothing written in the body, just the following in the subject line...

"Your blog readers need closure"

I was shocked. During the last few months of writing my blog, the comments had begun to dwindle so much, that I thought few people read or cared about what I wrote, but when readers and friends started making comments expressing that I was missed, I realized there were people who cared. But when I received tonight's email, I finally realized that I was actually doing a disservice to those who have been my faithful readers for nearly four years by simply abandoning them. And I owe them more. I owe you more. I owe you for all of the times you visited and read and commented and even clicked on ads, thus helping to support my family as I wrote. So I will explain.

I believe what many have come to enjoy about my blog is the fact that I write with such openness. I share my feelings, my flaws, my failures and also my successes. However, I have been going through some things that I can share with very few people. As a very dear friend observed, when someone writes from the heart, but can share nothing that is in her heart, she has nothing to write. I've feebly tried to put up pictures and recipes, but, simply put, sharing with the world isn't where my heart is right now. And I haven't written all of this before because 1.) It's really personal to say I have problems I can't talk about, even if I don't say what the problems are, and 2.) I was sure I would feel like getting back to blogging any time now. And I still plan on it. I just don't know when. But hang in there, and don't give up on me. :)

To give you an idea what I've been doing the past few months, for one, I've been taking pictures. Mostly sports photography, which progressed to my becoming the unofficial photographer of our local pro basketball team. I loved that because I met so many local people I would have never gotten to know, and made tons of friends with whom I continue to have a close relationship. Plus the fact that most of them only speak Spanish helps my Spanish become a little less broken.

And I've been playing the piano, 4 hours a day, 9 hours a day, one time even 11 hours in one day, to support our high school musical, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, which turned our absolutely outstanding! However, had I but known what I was getting myself into, I never would have agreed to it. :) I don't think my kids have ever been so neglected by their mother, but thanks be to goodness that I have a wonderful babysitter who became their mom during this 5-week period. The memories that were created during the production are moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life, I'm sure, and I owe it to the support of my babysitter and my husband. Thank you, Husband. :)

So reader, who sent me a kick in the pants via email today... thank you. Perhaps your letter will be the turning point at which I can begin blogging again. Or maybe not. We'll see. Either way, thank you all for your care and concern. It really has meant the world to me. And now, because I love using visual aids in my writing, here are some pictures I've taken recently, just to show you the kind of work I've been doing. I'd love to know what you think. Thank you for listening. :)

Baby Hippo, jumping on his Uncle's trampoline during a family BBQ...

 A point guard for the Durazneros, our local pro basketball team...

 

The 17-year-old girl, during a chorus concert...

 

My nephew, shooting a free throw...

 

 The newborn baby of a dear friend, in one of my favorite Etsy newborn photo-shoot outfits...