A liquid amber tree spreads its limbs along the border of our front yard. Every spring, I watch this tree brandish it fresh foliage. Then, with each passing season, I savor its gradual change in color.
Fall is my favorite time of the year. As the leaves turn to gold and burgundy, I’m reminded that few things ever stay the same. Things change. People change.
It’s inevitable I suppose.
The leaves of my liquid amber have fallen four times since I started blogging. A lot has changed in the blogging world since then. For me, there have been new colors and fonts. Even a new domain. And in 2012, I ventured into that wild safari known as social media. I started a Facebook page and joined Twitter.
Whether we love social media or loathe it, we can all agree that the presence of social media has changed the landscape of blogging within a few short years.
And it takes some time to learn how to navigate this new electronic terrain. I’m still learning. How to tweet. How to share. And I’m sure I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way.
I’ve never been the kind of person who had thousands of friends. I’m quiet by nature. I enjoy the presence of a few close friends over large noisy crowds. But the advent of social media has provided the opportunity to meet some genuinely warm people. And for that, I’m grateful.
I’m sure I’ll continue to grapple with these new social media outlets, but in the meantime, I want to take a moment and tell each of you how grateful I am for you. I’m thankful for the kind comments you leave, the sweet e-mails you send, and the different ways you share.
I know each of you by name. And you matter to me.
I’m so appreciative of the grace you extend when I’m busy teaching classes and grading essays — when I’m blogging less and trying to spend as much time as I can with my daughter before she leaves for college.
Thank you for all the ways you’ve blessed me in 2012. I’m looking forward to another great year of writing and sharing and learning with each of you.
How have blogs changed since you started reading them?
Were you here when this blog was still “thequietquill.blogspot.com”?
Visit Jeff Goins today as he talks about the changes in blogging over the years.
Denise, I love reading your blog… it’s pretty much the only one I follow on a regular basis! I love your thoughtful and inspiring posts… and yes, I was ‘here’ when the blog was still ‘thequietquill”! Have a blessed Christmas with your precious family!
I find so much here to identify with: your favorite season, love of changing seasons, preference for a few close friends rather than a huge mob, and for quiet living,… As for social media, I’ve not only been dragging my heels with Twitter (I’ll get there, eventually…), but I *quit* Facebook as a personal network, but may set up a writer account as sylvrpen.
On the other hand, I have also been SO blessed with the warm friendships that have blossomed through blogging communities, a wonderful gift I’d never anticipated — and one of those favorite friends is you. I don’t leave comments as often as I should. (“Do unto others as…”) But I do regularly read your posts and gain so much from them. I’m not sure if I read any of your posts at Quiet Quill, but I think so. Are you the gal that wrote about Mountain Dew??? (heh)
Yes, I was here when your blog was named The Quiet Quill. I also love to read your mom’s blog as we have much in common. She has been such an inspiration to me. And your writing style has helped me in my own writing. I’m not as polished as you but I hope I’m growing.
Yes, seasons change as does our blogging. I try to keep up on social media as much as I can. But there are some days when I just want to retreat and be still. Although I am a popular sanguine personality, my peaceful phlegmatic is a close second. So I need equal time for people and solitary. If I have too much of one, I get cranky. I guess balance is important to me.
I am so glad to get to know you through your blog and Facebook now.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
I wasn’t here when the blog was a quiet quill but began following along some time last year (can’t remember the exact month) and I have to say I always come away from your blog refreshed and inspired. Even though I don’t always leave a comment I do always read your posts! =) Looking forward to following along in 2013…many blessings to you in the New Year!