A goodbye and a welcome
Categories: Media
On the dashboard of the software that powers ParentDish, there's a little box that tells each blogger how many words and how many posts he or she has written.The dashboard tells me tonight: you have written 527,463 words and 1854 posts. That is a lot of words; that's an unfathomable amount of posts.
I started writing here to supplement my income when things were tight financially during my maternity leave with my infant. My son was just a tiny baby, not yet walking, not yet talking. This blog has taken me through Nolan's first steps, my many parenting blunders, and provided me with perspective and sustenance during what was certainly the most emotionally wrenching year of my life. During my tenure here, in the beginning, I was my fiance's partner -- now I am just my son's Mother. We're doing so well, our hearts are full, I'm on a journey of learning to be a better parent.
Your comments, over the years, have helped immeasurably. I consider many of you friends, and sometimes I lie awake in bed thinking about Anji's suggestion or Meagan's words of solidarity and your sharing has helped me be a better Mother -- and in many instances, a better person. Even some of the crazy trolls have helped -- I've grown a thicker skin, become more secure in my own convictions and strength.
This is a slightly long winded way...
of saying goodbye. I've decided that I need to start writing less, take yoga classes more, shut down the computer and slip through the summer forest dusk with my son's fingers wrapped in mine . I need to stress less about one more post, one more headline, and soak up more of the fading light of Nolan's smallness.
Thanks, all of you, who've read and commented on my posts over the last two years. I appreciate you more than I can properly express. I'll still be around the blogosphere, undoubtedly popping up here and there. If you want, leave me your email address and I'll let you know where I'm at so we can keep in touch. I'm around here for another week, but mostly behind the scenes rather than on the writing frontlines.
Oh! And one last, highly important tidbit: the fabulous Susan Wagner will be returning to ParentDish as the new Lead Blogger. And if you know anything about Susan, you'll know I'm leaving you in absurdly capable hands. One light fades, another dawns -- treat her gently for me, OK?
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Jessica 5-11-2008 @ 11:00AM
Hi Kristin: I am a lurker as well. You are my favorite blogger, I am sorry to see you go. Best of luck to you and Nolan!
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Kristin 5-11-2008 @ 11:29PM
Thanks so much you guys -- especially those of you who've been quiet in past. I appreciate it a lot.
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queenoqueens 5-11-2008 @ 12:26PM
Kristin-
How very sad that you will be leaving ParentDish. So often I've read your words and they have given me the perspective to focus on what was important in my life with kids. Your words reach deep---and often stay with me.
Please keep in touch and let me know if you start blogging elsewhere because I truly appreciate your writing. And I'm curious about where your adventures with Nolan take you next.
Good luck, take care, and have a wonderful Mother's day!
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Lil 5-11-2008 @ 1:08PM
Kristin, I've been a long-time reader of yours and I've followed you from your early D&D days. You have written many entries that have resonated with me and I often wished that I'd saved a few of your posts. (It's strange but I'd had a feeling in the past few weeks that you were weaning yourself off of the world of blogging.)
I'm very sorry to hear that you're leaving us but please keep in touch. I just want to let you know that to this day, I still have not found a blog that has touched me as much D&D - trust me, I've looked.
Good luck Kristin - I wish you all the best:)
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Anji 5-11-2008 @ 3:36PM
I'm quite glad actually, now I can finally get PD off my feed reader without worrying that I'll miss your posts! I'll see you elsewhere still, and I'm glad you're doing what you need to do and stepping back a little from this place, which has become so commercialised and tacky. ;o)
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Kelly 5-11-2008 @ 10:25PM
This is the second time I thought I wasn't going to be able to 'read' you - first you left tall 'n lucky, now this - I understand - but this sux :)
How do I email you to keep me in the loop where you're popping up online?
Thanks for everything!
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Matthew 5-12-2008 @ 10:26AM
I've been reading your work since tallnlucky. I am truly sorry to see you sign off, but I can understand why you feel the need to. Good luck to both you and Nolan. If you publish anything in the future, I'd love to hear about it. Best wishes
Matt
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Michelle Blair 5-12-2008 @ 1:29PM
Hi Kristen,
I've been reading your posts for over a year now and I have to say you are my favorite. Your posts have been a preview for me of what is to come with my little toddler dude. They've been touching, funny and always poignant. I'll miss your writings!
Good luck and enjoy this time with Nolan. You are a wonderful mother!
I'd love to keep up with your writing. I've tried to find out how to email you but it hasn't jumped up and bitten me on the nose yet.
Thanks and best wishes!
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Jessica 5-12-2008 @ 2:21PM
UGH! I am so saddened by this news! I certainly understand, though. Nolan is a lucky boy to get you all to himself, and he deserves it.
I guess I will just be reading PD on Thursday's now, Jennifer GG is the only one left........
Hope to find you somewhere else someday~
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Denise 5-17-2008 @ 12:07AM
Kristin, I will miss hearing about Nolan and your adventures, and I wish you both the very best in whatever the future brings for you. When I think back to reading the scared girl who first announced to the (blog) world that she was going to be a mama and compare her to the poised, confident woman you are now...well, it's just been a real privilege coming along for the ride. Take care of both of you and let me know if you are ever in the southern California area. Best regards, Denise
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Miriam 5-13-2008 @ 5:05AM
Am gutted to learn of your departure, Kristin! I've been reading since Tall'n'Lucky and marvel at your beautiful way with words. I'm a kiwi and your posts of Vancouver have pushed it to the top of my travel list. Thank you for allowing me a window into Nolan and your lives.
Kia Kaha, Miriam
(oh- an email would be amazing if you do decide to write elsewhere...)
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Linda 5-14-2008 @ 7:39AM
You are a fabulous mind-put-to-wrtten-words! Enjoy you life and know you have educated, inspired & entertained countless readers in countless ways God Bless!
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Elizabeth 5-28-2008 @ 4:55AM
Hello Kristin: I just got back from vacation so I'm probably too late. I've never commented anywhere ever but I've loved reading about you and Nolan and feel sad to think I'll never hear anymore about you guys. If ever you decide to keep posting somewhere else, please let me know.
Thanks for sharing your life and thoughts. You have no idea how much you will be missed...
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