I have thought about how to end this blog (it was after all, a one year endeavor) and came up with a couple of ideas. In the end though, I think that I want only to write about what this was.
I started this with the objective of pushing myself into some amount of creativity. I think that this blog helped me with that. I felt both pushed forward and at times held back by the parameters that the blog grew, kind of naturally, as the thing unfolded. There were times that I felt like writing about one thing or another and felt that it didn't fit this blog... which really leads to the question: What is this blog?
I think mostly, this blog is about the things that surround me. I felt a bit like some planet with all of these things circling around me... I would take one down, write about it for a bit and let it go. I knew that this year would be full of ups and downs. It was certainly that: Heart surgeries etc. I have discovered things about myself in the writing of this. I am far more dependant on nature than I thought I was. My own centering really bounces of off my time spent out side. I spent some time yesterday flipping through old entries. (You can do that too, if you click on the title "Where the air is clear" you will be taken to the main page and can either scroll through backwards, or use the menu on the right). In those old entries, I really see my need of finding my role in things, searching out who I am as a father, and teacher and, well, as a human being. It was strange to present all of this publicly sometimes, and others it felt very natural.
This blog affected my family. Henry, at times, was terrified that I would reveal some time that he was upset, or some weakness that he showed. Nora asked "Are you going to put that on facebook?" which is how she referred to my blog, when I took her picture. The kids knew that they were on display... I, again, am not sure about how I felt about that. The blog was a literal window into our lives, and I have actually grown closer to people that I didn't know that well through these writings.
Here are some statistics that I found interesting. Blogger has a way of seeing how many people have read your blog. It tracks where they were accessing the readings, when they were reading it, and a few other obscure details like what kind of browser they used or where in the world they were from when they read it. It didn't track who the people were that were reading it though (something I would very much love to know :) ) On average, between 40 to 50 people read my blog entries regularly. My most widely read entry was just over 150 readers. The most common portal for accessing my blog was facebook (big surprise) Most of my readers were from the US, followed by Russia, Germany and France. The furthest away was Lebanon.
It was at times difficult and at times very rewarding to write this blog. I know that I am already treasuring some of the entries and will love having this year recorded in such a way in the future. My friend Mike suggested that I get this printed out in a book form. I think that would be kind of a cool thing to do, and might just do that.
I want to thank you for following this year through with me. Some of you responded on my facebook through comments, others through comments right on the blog. Others of you followed silently, which is fine with me. Writing in this way... bouncing thoughts off of the internet, and having people read them... is interesting. I can tell you, I would love it if you would let me know if you read along with me this year. But if you want to remain in that anonymous internet world, I totally understand. It is an oddly safe place for that kind of thing. I am going to keep writing. I am probably not going to do another daily picture blog next year. I have a couple of ideas that I am bouncing around. If I write, I will continue to post links on occasion up to my facebook so some of you can "find" me there.
I want to wish you a warm and peaceful new year. I hope you find yourself surrounded by those who care for you. Thank you for reading.
Dave
