Friday, April 22, 2011

Happy Blogoversary!

A year ago today I started this blog. I actually can't believe it is just been a year- it feels like ages ago when I nervously sat in my bedroom with my laptop on my lap and opened my heart up to cyberspace. Man, I had no idea where to start. It was just a few months after I had been diagnosed with BIH and I was at my sickest. I can't say how far down the road to recovery I have come since starting this blog since. My life has been characterized by constant ups and downs. But I can definitely say since I started blogging I am a lot more informed about mental illness, treatment and recovery. And I have discovered a lot more about myself.

I called this blog "Hope for the flowers" after a book by the same name written by Trina Paulus. It was read to me when I was little and I have read it countless times since becoming an adult. It's message has always remained true to me- to become the person you were meant to be takes time, courage, refinement, patience, pain and love. I live in hope for my "flowers" and believe that everything I have gone through and everything I am going through now with bring out the best in me and help me discover who I really am and what I am meant to be doing with my life.

Since it's my first blogoversary I thought would repost my very first post. Reading this post again a year later...I have to wonder what the heck was going through my mind when I wrote this, was I tripping or what?!. I am also posting a song called "Hope for the flowers" by Jason Mraz.

Thank- you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me this past year. You have all been a blessing!

April 21st 2010

Meet Stripe and Yellow.....



Some of you may know them some of you may not. For those of you that do know them you'll know they were two of the bravest caterpillars ever to crawl on earth.


This blog will not be about the great Stripe and Yellow, but I thought they would be great introduction. Why? because not matter how small and insignificant a person is, they have a story to tell and some stories are REALLY worth telling.

My story is rather unusual and rather heartbreaking, but also funny and at times uplifting. I'm writing for many reasons: My family, to find someone in the same boat and I really do hope that some of the things I have to say will help and least one person. But, (and I really hope I don't sound self- absorbed- that is NOT my intention)I am mostly writing for myself. I want something tangible that I can hold onto to remind that I am on a journey, that I am taking baby steps and that I am one step ahead then I was yesterday- there is tomorrow. On that glorious day when I reach the top of this mountain I can look back down into the valley- read everything I wrote and say " Wow! what a ride".

A few warnings first: I used to be good at writing but long years of neglect have put me severely out of practice. Also trying to express myself will be difficult at first. Please be patient with me!

Secondly, I have inherited my dad's stubborn mind and have STRONG opinions about certain things. I am hoping my sweet mothers influence on me will have given me some tact. But in the end they are just opinions agreeing and disagreeing with them is your right.

Until next time.....

6 comments:

  1. Happy Blogoversary, Stephi! Congratulations on maintaining and frequently updating a lively, interesting, entertaining blog for a whole year - smoething not a lot of bloggers manage to do. I read the book "Hope for the Flowers" as a teenager in my first psychiatrists's office, and even though it was a children's book, I loved it. So when I first found your blog a few months back - I knew you must be a special person. I don't know much about BIH, and had actually never heard of it before you mentioned it here on one of the posts I read. But I think that, despite any illnesses, physical or psychiatric, you are a very optimistic person, and you don't seem to ever feel self-pitying or wallow in depression, without trying to dig yourself out of it. You are a strong young woman, and I hope you are proud of yourself.

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  2. Thanks Jen! I have to say that you are a great inspiration to me as you have faced trials and tribulations that are more difficult than I can ever imagine. Despite your illnesses you live a very productive and full life, you give me hope that can do the same when depression and illness tells me I can't.

    Thanks for reading and all your support!

    x

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  3. Hey, Stephi!

    Congrats. on your blogversary! I'm so glad you started it, both as in inspiration and for your wisdom as well as letting me get to know you as a cherished friend. I've looked through some of your older posts and you've grown SO much, both as a blogger and a person. Keep going strong : )

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  4. Thanks Wendy! You have been an awesome friend and supporter and I have learned a lot from you :). I do think I have grown a lot since I first started and I hope to keep going.

    Thanks for everything! Your blog is definately one of my favorites.

    x

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  5. Happy anniversary on your blog. I think you're doing great. Keep it up!

    And writing for yourself is the best reason to write.

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  6. Hi Stephi,
    Happy belated blogoversary. Time does fly, doesn't it? It will soon be one year since I started my blog too - it is hard to believe!

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