On the Sharing of Information

A question many bloggers get is – “Why did you start a blog?”


There are so many ways a blogger could answer this question and it’s one of those questions that doesn’t have a right or wrong answer… it’s a personal thing, and we all have our reasons – which is the beauty of blogging.

Well, one of the reasons I was intrigued by blogging and truly wanted to start back in 2007 was because I loved the idea of sharing information.  It wasn’t so much about sharing about my life… it was sharing fashion advice and beauty tips and product reviews.  I loved the idea of having an outlet, a corner of the world where I could put anything and everything I wanted.  I started doing just that in 2007 and have continued throughout the last 5 years.

But this past week showed me the true beauty and power and connectedness in being a blogger.

I shared something about my life that I never have had to share before… I shared that I was scared and terrified and worried about the health of my husband.

When we found out my husband had a tumor in his abdomen last Monday morning, all of a sudden life changed.  I didn’t know what to do or how to express what I was feeling.  There was not a chance in hell I could keep it bottled up inside and not share this information with someone… somewhere.  I decided to open myself up and just be 100% real and raw and honest about everything that was going on with Matt on my blog… I wasn’t sure how people would react, but I knew I needed to share it.  It’s funny – here I blog about fashion and beauty every single day, and the LAST thing on earth I felt like putting on was makeup or even caring about what I was wearing.  As a matter of fact, I think I wore the same clothes all week, just washing them as I walked in and grabbing them from the dryer as I was heading out.  I can assure you Matt didn’t care what I was wearing to the hospital.

I can’t tell you how helpful it is to share everything on my blog.  It’s the sharing and the togetherness that is so incredible to me.  It’s people I don’t know wishing Matt well and praying for him.  It’s people I do know finding out and being there for us with calls, texts and visits.  It’s people across the country whom I have met through blogging sending cards and food and Valentine’s Day packages.  It’s all because of the sharing.

I can’t quite properly express how much I appreciate everyone’s help and love and well wishes and prayers.  I’m humbled and feel completely overwhelmed by the sweetness, the kindness and the sheer beauty of people.

Thank you so much.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you for allowing me to share and listening to our story.

And thank you for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts.

xo

 

 

 

 

On the Sharing of Information was last modified: February 8th, 2012 by Audrey McClelland
SHOWHIDE Comments (10)

  1. The blogging world ia an amazing place. I’m glad that you had it to help get you through last week. I’m also glad that I am a part of it. Without it, I never would have met you, your mom and your beautiful family and I can’t imagine not knowing you all now. I’m continuing to pray for the very best results from the tests. XOXO

  2. So glad Matt is okay. You are truly a role model to the blogging community and what so many of us aspire to be.

    Thank you.

  3. I’m so glad you wrote, this Audrey. I’ve been struggling with some of the more negative aspects of putting my life out there on the blog (nasty comments, people choosing to misunderstand me or misrepresent me on other blog), and it’s made me look long and hard at why I’m doing this. But the good so far outweighs the bad, and watching that all unfold for you was a good reminder of everything that is wonderful about this online community we have.
    I thank you for your raw honesty, and I really admire how you’ve handled yourself through this (and everything else!). You’re a great role model.

    I wish you all the best!
    ~Krista

  4. I’m so glad you wrote, this Audrey. I’ve been struggling with some of the more negative aspects of putting my life out there on the blog (nasty comments, people choosing to misunderstand me or misrepresent me on other blogs), and it’s made me look long and hard at why I’m doing this. But the good so far outweighs the bad, and watching that all unfold for you was a good reminder of everything that is wonderful about this online community we have.
    I thank you for your raw honesty, and I really admire how you’ve handled yourself through this (and everything else!). You’re a great role model.

    I wish you all the best!
    ~Krista

  5. Laying it all out on the line on a blog is a very scary and humbling experience. There are very often sides of ourselves we struggle to keep under wraps. For myself, it was my struggle with postpartum depression. I have recently broken through that barrier and started a blog on my experiences. Talk about “100 % real and raw and honest”! Though for different reasons, I can totally appreciate where you’re coming from. I hope your sharing helps you and your family heal and your husband find his way to wellness.

  7. Thank you for letting us walk through this with you and your family. The power {and the heart} of the blogging community is a beautiful thing.

  10. Yeah..I agree Audrey.
    Especially on days when I’m feeling soooo lonely…sad….scared…
    I put it ‘out there’ and the goodness always comes right back to me…. =)

    Joey

On the Sharing of Information was last modified: February 8th, 2012 by Audrey McClelland