Four years later…

~ oneletterup

If trying to find a way when you don’t even know you can get there isn’t a small miracle; then I don’t know what is.

Rachel Joyce
Desk View
February 26, 2022

Four years ago today I held my breath and tapped the Publish button on my newly launched blog. I had no idea what to expect, but thought…why not? And Oneletterup was born. It began as a safe place for exploring & sifting through memories…flipping through musty diaries and the creased pages of letters from loved ones. And not-so-loved ones.

Then I discovered blog “challenges” which encouraged me to go deep and push through to write my truth. I had been in various writing groups over the years so it wasn’t an entirely new type of experience, but this time was better. I was inspired by VJ and Heather and Martha and Sandy and Shelley and Ellen to name just a few. Photography took off for me because of the Tuesday Photo Challenge (Frank offered excellent advice for choosing my new camera!). I was again inspired by fellow bloggers like him and Becky and Cee and Manja and John and the Lens Artists.

Of course everything went off track once the pandemic hit 2 (!) years ago, but blogging reinforced that I was not alone. It was also a place to try to make some kind of sense of what the hell was happening. I have been one of many…sharing and commenting in common disbelief at how upside down everything was/is.

I’m the type of person who diligently (and joyfully) marks anniversaries and rites of passage with photos and journal entries. Tell those stories! Birthdays (must have cake & candles!). Graduations (cake!). Weddings (cake!). First Days of School. Last Days of School. The First Year of Life in weekly photos. I am not sure how to commemorate my 4th year blogging anniversary except to be glad I’m still at it…and grateful to those who have hung in there with me. We’ve had comforting conversations and thankfully sometimes a few laughs.

When I started this blog 4 years ago, I was retired with more free time and now I’m not. Well…yes and no. My current full time volunteer “job” is running a condo board which usually chases out/squashes/silences the writer and photographer in me. Maybe someday that will be subject material for an essay (“I thought High School was over 50 years ago”) or even a memoir (“The Old and the Ornery”) but when you’re in the middle of you-know-what, it’s not the time to pick it apart and discuss.

I’m glad to be here…literally and on WP. Thanks for all your support.
Here’s to better days ahead!

Andrea

November, 2021

Published by oneletterup

16 thoughts on “Four years later…”

  3. The desk photo of the winter view did things to my heart — the color of the sky, and just the whole perspective. To me, it ‘s sort of the perfect dream of winter … Please add my name to those glad you’re still finding time to do this wonderful blog.

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  6. Congratulations – making it to the 4th year is a great accomplishment. Plus half that time it was a roller-coaster pandemic to document! You have such a wonderful blog, I’m glad you’re hanging in there despite your newfound part-time (LOL) gig with the condo board. I’m thankful we met here in the blogosphere. Happy anniversary! Celebrate you and your efforts, you deserve many cheers! 😁🥰💕🍾🎉

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  7. Ah, excellent, congratulations on your bloggoversary! (Mine will come at the end of this month too, 8th!) Thank you for mentioning me in such fine company. We bloggers are the best! And what a pretty desk view!!

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