I can't remember the last time I was away from my children for more than an overnight or how delicious it can feel. And not just any overnight, but TWO overnights, and nowhere near home but in NYC, a city that practically pulses with possibilities. Before you think me a heartless, cold mom, I was pining for them barely 24 hours in, flogging myself for abandoning them. I did quickly recover — it was New York after all, and I was surrounded by my tribe.
Blogging is powerful. There is no doubt it's changed my experience of being a mother. Some days, it's what keeps me moving forward. I've watched the annual trek to BlogHer and never imagined I'd have the ability to join, but then I heard about a planned autism panel with women bloggers I've read for some time: Stimey from Stimeyland, and Shannon Des Roches Rosa of Squidalicious, both parents of a child with autism. Suddenly it changed from I could never go, to How can I not?
I'm so glad I did. In many ways, meeting my tribe helped me meet myself again. I am a mother of two amazing special needs kids, and god knows that is my starring and most fulfilling role. But I am also a woman who has interests and passions separate of that and being around my tribe, a group of women each so special and unique in her own right, each struggling and celebrating the same things as me — well, it fed my soul, propped me up and made me proud.
I know that I would not have survived the last four years as well as I have without my blogger friends. Such a real group of women, from Christine my awesome roomie, to Niksmom and Pixiemama, Kristen and Jordan, Melissa and Kyra and Stimey!
I adore each and every one of you. It was a pleasure.
9 comments:
That was pretty much how it started for me, too. And go ahead and think me a bad parent - my pining didn't begin until someone got hurt!
:)
xo
There was an amazing group of women there this year. I am so happy to have been a part of it. And I'm really glad that you came.
Also? I forgot to give you your twitter tutorial. Here it is in a nutshell: download Tweetdeck. Leave it open on your computer. Watch it for a while and then be pulled irreversibly in.
It was so incredible to finally put faces and voices to the hearts I already knew. Seems this weekend was, for many of us, truly an awakening to a whole new world of possibilities outside of "just" parenting, too. xo
Loved having the chance to finally meet you this weekend! Such a wonderful group of women and such a great time. Like you, the autism panel was one of the main reasons that sold me on going (that and the fact that it was on the East Coast). So glad I did.
We are a tribe! And I wouldn't want it any other way. I adored meeting you. Thanks for sharing the fun and the crazy and the most amazing 3 days.
I left the autism panel and the special needs lunch going "wow. These are my people!" It was wonderful. Seriously wonderful. I'm so glad I went!
It was truly wonderful to meet you. I loved every minute. Hope you're having a fantastic vacation with your family!
loved meeting you, kim. you are so warm and lovely in person, just as i knew you would be!!
So sorry I wasn't able to make it in to the city :( Happy that you all had such a wonderful time :)
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