Taking New Steps

A year ago this week, I carefully reviewed my inaugural blog post for about the 500^th time and finally launched it live. Over the next 52 weeks, I tried to stay on course with a post a week. I’ve loved both the content and the intent of the blog. I’ve shared everything from taking over the checkbook for an aging parent to the creative ways of bringing the “smells” of baseball to residents in nursing homes. I’ve also enjoyed being able to bring humor to the table at times.

And don’t get me started on the people I have “met” along the way. Brilliant, generous, kind and funny readers and writers who share wise comments and a ton of support.

Sadly, however, within those very same 365 days, the world changed profoundly. We are all struggling with and adjusting to new rules and new normals. The losses have been heartbreaking. On a personal level, my world changed too. Diagnosed with cancer several months ago, I am in the middle of various treatments. I’d be lying if I didn’t say it’s taken a toll. And with the current state of my immune system, getting the virus is an added worry.

So, at this anniversary point, I feel like it’s the perfect moment to take a step in a new direction. Life has changed a lot so it makes sense. I want to expand the variety of topics I share on the blog. This doesn’t mean that I will stop writing stories about an aging parent, but I do want to add to them. Current events? Baseball? Pop culture? Nature? Health? I want to leave the door open a little wider to see what new ideas may wander in.

I hope to update the home page to reflect this change, but I have to be realistic with my limited pockets of energy (clearly, I’m in one now.) They come and go. I’ll get there.

Thanks for sticking with me over the course of my first year and (hopefully) into my second. The door is always open for any tips or suggestions.

For details on my cancer treatments, visit:

My Cancer Page

9 responses to “Taking New Steps”

Jane O’Loughlin

Apr 29, 2020 at 11:29 am

You know I really love your writing so I’ll be happy to read whatever you put up! Thinking of you often… Love and prayers.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
Janet Bates

Apr 29, 2020 at 11:39 am

Happy Bloggiversary!
I’ll look forward to your thoughts on other topics. I hope your good strong days outnumber the bad ones. I’m right there with you as far as wanting to stay away from others. My husband and I are both high risk. Good thing we like each other!

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
Betsy

Apr 29, 2020 at 11:40 am

Have so enjoyed your blog and look forward to your new topics and stories. You are such a great writer! I’ll always be following! Hope you start feeling better as you get through your treatments and over this horrific disease as I know you will! ❤️

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
vcagle

Apr 29, 2020 at 12:39 pm

I have to echo Jane’s comment. I too love reading your blogs.
Always sending healing energy. Big hug! Veronique

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
Inkplume

Apr 29, 2020 at 1:52 pm

I look forward to your future posts. Stay safe.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. melaniemstewart
  
  Apr 30, 2020 at 4:13 pm
  
  Thank you Linda. 🧡
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
pamthorpe

Apr 29, 2020 at 4:51 pm

I so enjoy reading your blogs almost as much as I enjoy being with you in person! Your wit, humor and personal take on a variety of subjects has always been a good “read”! I look forward to your new posts and send all the love and healing energy I possibly can! Don’t stop writing -it definitely becomes you!

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
petespringerauthor

Apr 29, 2020 at 10:57 pm

I think your blog connected with me immediately, Melanie, since I had just gone through many of the stages that you were going through with your mom. I had a sound support system, and it was still one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced. When my mom’s dementia became an issue about five years before she ultimately passed, I was blessed in so many ways. First, my mom remained the same sweet spirit, I knew my entire life, even though she no longer could keep things straight in her head. To this day, I consider her the best person I ever knew in my sixty-one years. She was the most nurturing and loving mother that any four boys could have. Next, my parents managed their money well, and she had the good fortune of being able to move into a top assisted living center only thirty minutes away. I’ve visited many other places over the years where the care is poor, and some of the residents do not have family coming to visit. What is sadder than passing, and there isn’t even anyone left to pay their respects or write an obituary? Finally, though I was the only remaining son living in the area, my wife was a pillar of support. My brothers were great, too, even though they all live in different time zones.

I could go on because there are so many issues to think about when your loved one is in this situation. You want to make sure you’re doing the best for him/her, and people generally avoid talking about these difficult decisions until it is too late for your parent to make those choices mentally. The burden falls on you, and that can lead to second-guessing every decision you make. Once again, my parents had the forethought to deal with many of those decisions and spelled things out in writing when they were of an able mind. That made things so much easier for me.

I know there is a need for blogs like yours. People need all the support they can get and opportunities to share experiences. That said, the beauty of blogging is that we have the freedom to blog about different topics. There are so many blogs that one learns to pick and choose. I’ve gotten to the point that I can follow no more, but I know that I’m planning on staying with you. Your writing is excellent, Melanie, but more than that, I know that you are going to write about important subjects—things that matter. I wish you the best with your health, and the inspiration to write about things you are passionate about.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. melaniemstewart
  
  Apr 30, 2020 at 4:10 pm
  
  I appreciate your SUPER kind words about my writing and the blog Pete. Thank you. As there are developments with my mother and it would make sense to share them to help others, I can still easily do that. And I will. (She is still doing well, even during lockdown.) We’ll just have to see what other topics capture my interest. :) Some may be light-hearted to balance life right now. Best to you and your family Pete. Stay safe.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply