Happy Five Years, Good Day Regular People

This month is the 5th anniversary of Good Day Regular People.

What began as a place for me to write my stories has grown into one of the most amazing things I've ever done in my life. It's you and our interactions here on this blog, exchanging words, finding each other through differences and similarities, that have added a dimension to my life that I wouldn't have been able to predict.

I am deeply grateful that you are here. The pride that I have and the contentment from words published, all a possibility through blogging, shows me we are a fortunate generation indeed. When you are someone that has held a life long wish for your work, whatever that means to you, to be seen and shared with others, and then have it happen because of something that allows this just this like a computer, it's easy to see my astonishment.

Blogging here has been an entry way to friendships, contacts, a daily sharing in each others lives. We belong to a community. When I think of the opportunities that led to the people that I know count on daily as friends, all because of blogging, I wish it for everyone.

My life is surreal. I do things now I imagined as only possible for others. My life has become what I timidly held a wish for it to be -- to be someone whose words have meaning, impact, change perspective or remove a bit of loneliness in those minutes that someone reads.

None of the encouragement and belief that I needed to pursue more for myself would have happened without the words of support from you who read and are part of everything here. I am so fortunate. Hand to my heart, every day, I think about the pride and happiness I have in the inspiring community that is around me. 

I am grateful.

Five years ago, as I sat with my face toward a white screen, I never could have imagined how everything was about to change. Events were up ahead in my future that surely were meant for someone else. Writing my words here has made me stand taller, smile more, laugh every day, speak with conviction and value who I am. I am proud of who I am. I am a different person than I was before I started this blog. Because of this blog, I speak.

You accepted me, with the quirks, the screw ups, the "dork at the keyboard." Seeing how you came to love me was pivotal. Could it be OK to be real, no other way but authentic, and people would still like me? It was more than OK.

You changed everything. And that, changed everything.

I am a well of emotion today.
Five years.

From the bottom of my heart, I feel so lucky.

Happy Five Years to me. Today, I smile and tear up while I celebrate this blog. I marvel at all the good that has come my way because of it. And yes, I'm looking at you.

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