Why Blog?

"Blogging is an art, same as any other method of self-expression. Some are better at it than others" 

~~Hugh Macleod

Honestly? 

I have been wanting to blog for awhile now... 

Not to have a large group of followers...

But to use the tool as a journal... 

A record of events and thoughts...
 That should probably be done in a scrapbook...

 But I have embraced my computer...
And the internet...

I love the interaction that can result...
From one individual...
Sharing with another.

I find delight in believing...
Believing that one day...

My family might enjoy reading what I have to say...

They might even learn something new...
About me...
And maybe themselves.

My inner drive to learn how to blog...

Comes from my love for writing and literature.

As with many "growing older" adults...

I have learned that issues...
Home situations...
And events...
Helped shape Beliefs and Behaviors.

Due to many family issues...
Many that I am not proud of...

I was enrolled in a private school...
30 miles from my home.

But those issues saved my life
in more way than I can count...
It introduced me to three men...
who would forever shape my life.

JESUS CHRIST...

Tab Smith... 

and John Lewis... 

Tab Smith was the headmaster Pinewood Christian Academy...
Not only was this man a poster model for fathers...

But most importantly...
He introduced me to Jesus Christ.

When I think of my early relationship with Christ...

I cannot escape those early memories...
Without thinking of Mr. Tab Smith...

It all proved to be the best gift...
I would ever receive...
A perfect testimony...
When God puts us in inexpiable places... 

to bring us close to HIM.

The second best thing about Pinewood...
For Me...
A dynamic teacher for literature...

Mr. John Lewis...
An Awesome Teacher...

He taught me how to love literature...

How to study and interpret many different works...

I am sure that he found me unremarkable...

My grades were not necessarily exceptional...

But he exuded his undeniable love of literature...

And I could not help but absorb that enthusiasm...

He often prompted us to be more creative...

And through positive comments...

 He encouraged my love to write...

So, Thank-You Mr. Smith and Mr. Lewis...
Wherever you are today!

And Thank-You both
for introducing me to God and Christ!
Of course, through Christ my soul was saved! 

So...
Now you are asking yourself...

Why didn't I pursue a career in writing?

Easy answer first...

Which I'm sure you've already deduced...
 Just because I love to write...
Does not mean I can!

Secondly...
My domineering father (God rest his soul)...

Pushed me into Engineering...
It took on a life of it's own...

I did achieve that degree...

But those shoes never seemed to fit...

I longed to be more creative and expressive.

My life has taken many twists and turns...

Some great and some horrible...

But all in His place and timing...

Marriage...
Divorce...
Marriage...
Childbirth...
Homeschooling...
Illnesses...
Etc...etc. 

It has been during the last 12 years...

that I experienced a re-awakened...
of my creative right-brain.

As I post this blog...

Our Homeschooled daughter...
Started the last quarter of her Junior year...
At SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Designs)...

Majoring in Sequential Arts and Storyboarding...

Can you say M-A-N-G-A?

I am blessed to have 2 step-daughters in Texas...
With wonderful families of their own...

Giving us awesome grandchildren.

My wonderful husband...
of 25 years...
Retired from Gulfstream Aerospace...

But we do have a few side jobs...
Gotta pay that enormous college tuition!

We are Best Friends and inseparable!

I think that I have had enough experiences in life...
To share perspectives...
Some you may not necessarily agree with...
But perhaps I can encourage you...
To slow down...
And think... 

Think...
In order to solidify your own beliefs. 

And if nothing else...

Maybe I can delight you...
With a pretty picture or two!

♥~Valeria Rome