Monday, September 8, 2008

Why I Blog

This blog was started on January 15, 2007 by my wonderful sister Amy! (Thanks again Amy!!!) It started out on Carepages, and was started to keep family and friends up to date when Gavin went in for his 1st heart surgery at U of M hospital. We were a couple of hours away from home and this was a way to keep everyone informed. I took it over after a few days and kept it going throughout his hospitalization which lasted 4 1/2 months! (Not the 7-10 days we were told to expect!) I was so thankful to have a way to 'talk' to our family and friends and to get enormous support, love and prayers sent from long distances! Not too long ago I started thinking about why I continue to blog. Sometimes I feel silly doing it since Gavin has remained healthy and out of the hospital for so long. I wondered, "Who would really care to read about our crazy family or about my thoughts on so many things?" I considered stopping because of this. Today I am going to tell you why I didn't.

I decided to continue this blog because:

1) Occasionally I still have a prayer request that can be relayed to so many of you at one time. I have felt so at peace in the past knowing that so many people have prayed for Gavin! So, THANK YOU!

2) I have found this activity to be quite calming for me. It has been a way for me to vent and then walk away feeling so much better after just getting it all out! I'm telling you, if you don't blog or journal, you should!

3) I want to be able to give a 'voice' to Gavin and so many who are unable to speak for themselves.

4) I want to show others that even through times of struggle and uncertainty, there is hope and happiness! I know that others have been through so much more than our family has, but I also know many who, maybe, haven't had to go through something so profound or difficult. I want to share our experience, which has included very difficult days, but lots of great ones too! Not to mention, the grace that we've been shown throughout it all. God has been there with us through everything and we have felt His presence more than I could ever have imagined! We have cried and we have faltered, but God has ALWAYS given us the strength to keep going and to continue to trust in Him! So, I continue this blog to hopefully show others that even though you may have been given a difficult task or time, with God anything is possible! Trust in Him alone!

And finally,

5) I was reminded of a reason why I continue to do this blog last week. I was having a tough time emotionally and just by typing my feelings out on here, I was given such a gift! So many of you left a comment that helped lift my spirits more than you could know! Some days I feel very lonely raising a child with special needs and your comments give me the boost needed each day! I am seriously in awe of the support God has given me through sending me such wonderful friends on this site! Some who I've known for a long time and some who I have had the privilege of 'meeting' here on this site. It saddens me to know that there are so many families who have children with special needs, but I am thankful for the support that I have received from those who are walking similiar roads! What a blessing this blog and you have been to me! I pray that all of your roads will be blessed by God and that you know how important you are!

So, there you have it! I guess I'll be blogging for awhile! :)


"I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

11 comments:

HennHouse said...

You are just wonderful. Thank you for continuing to share.

Tamara said...

You got it sister! Keep those fingers walking, let your heart speak freely and let God come in and soothe your weary heart on this journey!

I like to think of it as... we (you and I) are walking the same path, side by side and sometimes our paths veer off in different directions with hills and valley that seperate us for a time, but eventually we end up side by side again as the paths wind near one another once again. We chat of our experiences beyond the hills and valleys and encourage one another as we walk side by side, until the path curves again... Our destination heaven! I am so thankful that I have you to walk this path with!

Anxious AF said...

You better not stop!!!! Im so glad I found you, I forget how we "met"???Anyway, I love you, dont ever stop!

The VW's said...

Dear sweet friends,

Thanks for making me smile today and for filling my heart with joy! You are all such a blessing! LOVE YOU!

ALicia

Amy said...

Isn't the internet such a blessing?? I'm blown away by how far you've taken this and how much you've learned about computers and the internet in such a short time. I may have created this site, but you have made it the safe haven it is. Keep up the great work!

Annette Gysen said...

I don't think you are just a voice for Gavin. You put a voice to the thoughts and feelings of families out there with special needs kids, and that obviously means a lot to them. See--you're already discovering some of the many ways you serve an incredibly important purpose :)!

Anonymous said...

Alicia, Please keep blogging. I look so forward to hearing how Gavin and all of you are doing. You are still in our prayers. Dalene Wilkinson

Princess Abigail said...

"even though you may have been given a difficult task or time, with God anything is possible! Trust in Him alone!"

Thank You. This is something I need emphasized to me sometimes. Not that I disbelieve, just some times I wander into the hazy universe of hospitals, medicine, medication, diagnosis, therapy and SYNDROME. Thank you for reminding us of What and Who matters, and who is really in control. Merci.

I get the same thing out of blogging as you do. Its a way of keeping my Mum in Jordan, my Dad in Luxembourg, a brother and sister in London, cousins and Aunts in Belgium and more relatives in Canada aware of the wonderful mischief our Princess is up to. But 18 months down the track, it is so much more than that. It is a catharsis, a Pandorras box, and importantly, a vital link with sisters who Know. who Understand. who Care. who Have Been There Too.

in closing, let me add something totally irrelevant. Gavin is a gorgeous red-head! what a bomb shell! what a Cute Guy! Not that I'm biased, having the same hair colour myself. but he IS incredibly, irresistibly cute!

Thank you for sharing him!

Alison
Abigail's Mama
The Bernard Bunch

ruehshouse said...

Alicia,

Please dont stop blogging. I look forward to seeing how you are all doing. I love reading your inspirational words. You keep me going at times.

Love you lots--
April

Anonymous said...

Alicia - you can't stop!! I feel so inspired after reading your entries. I also enjoy reading about all of your adventures with my rambunctious nephews! ;) I also LOVE looking at all of the pictures you post.

Love you and keep up the fabulous job!
Jill

Inspired said...

WOO HOO!! So glad you decided to keep blogging!! Can't say it enough how many lives you touch with Gavin's Voice.
Love,
Julie