I’m still here…I just fell back down the rabbit hole.

I’ve become one of those bloggers…one of those writers who I found by chance, who piqued my interest by the way they wrote and who I soon became a fan of, either because I felt a connection with them, was curious about what they were up to next or because they had something to share that I could learn from.

And then suddenly they didn’t have as much to say, or they became consumed with a new project, or life just took over and they were too busy with a new job, new house, new baby, a business venture, death, divorce…you name it. 

We all stumble or fall; sometimes we only stumble over a pebble while other times we take a face plant off a boulder. Or even worse, it could be one huge boulder after another, making it harder to climb out of the rabbit hole our lives can sometimes throw us into. 

That’s pretty much where I am right now.

This has been one of the most trying years of my entire adult life. No question. I’ve dealt with some trying years in the past, but this one has hit me the hardest. My dad’s death was obviously very difficult for me and, while time does heal most wounds, it’s much easier to heal from those wounds when you aren’t also dealing with other serious matters.

And that’s where my silence the past few months has stemmed from. After my last post, two months ago now, I learned that not one, but two loved ones had been diagnosed with serious, life-threatening illnesses. It was a punch in the gut back-to-back when I haven’t yet caught my breath from the last gut shot.

So I understand why some of the writers I follow might become too busy or distracted to share their thoughts on their blog, or Facebook, or whatever social media voice they prefer to communicate with. What consumes them is too big or personal to share with others or when they make an attempt to post anything at all, it’s very difficult to come up with any subject beyond what has invaded their thoughts day and night.

I don’t offer this information to excuse my lack of writing, gain sympathy or appeal for understanding with regard to my silence; although I admit it has helped me gain a better understanding when it comes to the writers I follow. I offer this update to show those who follow me, or who check my blog and wonder where the heck I am, that I’m still here and that I do appreciate those who do care to follow me.  

At some time or another, we all fall down our own version of the rabbit hole…the trick is finding our way out and hopefully learning a thing or two about ourselves in the process. I agree with the character of Alice in Alice in Wonderland that, “It would be so nice if something would make sense for a change.” But we often learn more about ourselves during the most difficult situations and even if it doesn’t seem likely at the time, it also helps to believe in this possibility:

“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.”  ~Author Unknown~ 

Until next time. Take care and find the joy in each day.