5

Encouragement For Me, For You

I have, over the years, questioned why I continue to share so much of myself with the Internet. It’s true that I find healing in writing, in sharing my story. I don’t think I would have come this far if I wouldn’t have sorted through the whole of my emotions in word form. Would it have been the same if I would have written in a diary? Or a locked blog? Would the lack of feedback made it harder for me to find the peace which I have stumbled upon? I don’t know the answers exactly.

I do know that there have been times when I have doubted what I do, what I share. These times are when people are nasty, unkind and generally lacking compassion for what they assume is outside of their own understanding. I try to remember that they’re just as scared as I once was, their negativity and harsh words are nothing more than a defense mechanism made to keep their world safe and secure. Words still sting. I’ve gotten better over the years but I still cry at times when people find it necessary to lash out at me even though their true issues are, all too often, within themselves.

That’s why I was so encouraged by an email that I received this morning. I will quote a portion. I’ve removed specific details to protect privacy.

I have to say, that I pretty much stuck to my adoptive parents [...] boards. It was reading your story and getting to know you that made me branch out and in doing so, I gained a whole new understanding of the other sides to the adoption triad. I’ll admit that for a long time I didn’t have much room in my heart for [my child's] birth mother. Thanks in part to you, your blog and openness about your feelings, that has changed.

What a lovely thing to wake up to!

I share this not to toot my own horn. I share this so that my readers who are currently blogging their journey may also feel encouraged. You never know whose life you are going to touch. As an example here, I not only touched that adoptive parent’s life but that child’s life, that birth mother’s life and anyone who comes in contact with that family. You, too, are doing the same thing by sharing your stories, your experiences, your heart with the reading masses.

The blogging world can be nasty at times. Take this moment to feel encouraged as you share your journey. The truth is that so many of you have also encouraged me in my journey. Please accept my heartfelt thanks for helping me arrive where I am today.