Oh the humanity! The profundity of blog neglect!

Between not having wonderfully reassuring news, or not feeling up to writing about any that I did have, I have not earned my keep as a blogger...oh wait, I'm not getting paid.

But I am sorry if I have worried anyone during my most dramatic blog vacuum....I will make a concerted effort to keep you all better informed. I think I let the blog entry that I would have had to write (to make up

for the missing month) grow so huge and time-consuming in my mind that the very immensity of it became a further deterrent to reactivating the blog. So as to not scare myself away, I'll try to keep up with smaller entries, and not worry about saying anything profound, entertaining, or changing the world from my laptop.

What finally prompted me to write was my growing shame of not making the whole blog-reading world aware, in the midst of this season of giving thanks-- of how THANKFUL I AM for all of you-- my family, my friends, my colleagues-- who let me know that you care. A silver lining, if I had to pick one from this experience...would be the bringing-into-the-light of how many kind people of good character that I have been gifted with finding in my life.......and that they like me, l'il ol' me.... (I feel like Sally Fields...)

Some folks along the way have also told me that I can be, at times, very direct, that I always seem very confident, and even intimidating! (and most of the time I am not feeling that way....) The real truth is that I am quite a squishy softie inside, and conflict and criticism affect me deeply. Some days the best way I can reassure myself that I am a worthy person is that all you good people are my friends and care about me.. and as you all are a great bunch that I hold in high regard, I must occasionally be doing some things right, as I muddle through this life... because of the people I befriend along the way.

Most touching recent expression of concern and support for me:

My nephew Jack wore pink laces in his football shoes during his championship game, just like all the NFL players wore various pink items...gloves, hats, etc. during October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month). My 11 year old nephew is aware, and he loves me. He doesn't even care if his friends see me in the glory of my baldness when they come over. He just introduces me and moves right along, he is such a great kid! These things are the silver linings extraordinaire.

And more to come!