writer's rewards

Blogging was foreign to me until I started exploring the possibility of adoption.  It was then that I started reading blogs of adoptive families, in various stages of the adoption process.  Since Jen was unable to join me in traveling to China to bring home our daughter, I started my first blog, "to China, for Lily", to chronicle the trip for her, the boys and other family members and friends.

In school, I gravitated toward Arts and English rather than Math and Science, so it was no surprise that I found blogging enjoyable... especially when my blog link spread throughout the adoptive community, causing strangers from various states and countries to read and comment on my travel posts.  Maybe my ego has needs, but I found it rewarding to have various people interested enough in what I wrote to bother reading it.  But, not just reading it... some actually commented on what I wrote, which feels a little like payday for a blogger.  (Some readers may not understand this, but most bloggers or aspiring writers can relate!)

After being home from China a few weeks, I decided to preserve "to China, for Lily" and replace it with "Backside of Forty" to include the rest of my growing family, and other topics I might find worth writing about... a memior, of sorts, about my life roles and accomplishments, struggles and (when I'm feeling vulnerable) failures.  Generally, it's what makes me tick.

In addition to the thrill of knowing a few people read what I write, I have three main motivations for my current blog:

1. I hope my kids will someday appreciate what made Dad tick.
2. Life moves fast.  If I don't journal some of it, I'll forget some of it.
3. Writing is therapeutic.  I sometimes write to process thoughts.

Recently, I had a glimpse of goal number one.  All blog stats and comments aside, my 10 year-old son (who loves to read), for the first time and on a few different occassions, just sat down and read my blog... not just a recent post or two, but deep back through the archives.  I received comments (audible, not in the comment section) from him, like:  I forgot about that; That was a fun time; I like reading your blog, Dad; and (my favorite), laughter.

That was one of the best writer's rewards!