"From Paradise" is a conglomeration of a couple blogs I've kept over the years.
As the momma of two small kiddos (they were about 3 and 5 when I started writing) I wrote for my sanity and the moral support of my fellow bloggers (I couldn't figure out how to transfer their comments with those early entries, but they were always upbuilding and better than any happy pill). I wrote about marriage. I wrote while on vacation. I wrote about those crazy two kids of mine. I did a lot of rambling just because it felt good to do so.
My mom was diagnosed with colon cancer in November of 2006. Writing about her illness throughout the years helped deal with the emotions brought on by fighting that battle as a family.
The kids got a little older, and mommy-hood became a less stressful. My mom's fight with cancer seemed close to being won. I wrote less in those years and just let the good times roll.
During Spring of 2010 the cancer came back with a vengeance, and once again I started writing. Sometimes it's easier to write down thoughts than it is to say them out loud.
Now I write to journal what's going on in life: *Stuff my kids do*my family in general*my personal frustrations*remembering what life was like when I was a kid*and my interests (running, photography, art stuff)*.
Writing everything down helps me to:
ღ Let my family and friends who read it know what going on with us.
ღ Remember what happened yesterday, last week, last month and last year, because otherwise I won't.
ღ Sort things out, and to laugh at the absurdities of life and to try to quit taking myself so seriously (sometimes trying successfully, and sometimes not so much).
ღ Remind myself that every day is a gift.
