Monday, January 31, 2011

...Looking Back~

I've passed 100 posts...I've noticed some people have a celebration to honor this achievement, but I hardly recognized it. However, while contemplating the how's, why's and what's of the former entries, I read through previous posts. Below is my first writing and I expect you will hold me accountable for my comittment to both my blog and to you as my readers.

Welcome...

ahhh, you found me~

...allow me to briefly introduce myself and my purpose if you don't already know me, which my guess is you probably don't, although you may think you might. I recently attended NCCAT which stands for North Carolina Center for Advancement of Teachers. The seminar was titled, Writing Powerful Stories. Amongst the 20 or so people who had attended we were asked what our goals were for the seminar and why we were there. Well, besides the obvious reason that it was at the beach, my favorite one actually Ocracoke Island with sand, sun and surf, I decided I needed to come out of the closet. No, not the closet you're thinking. You see, I have always considered myself a 'closet' writer. Throughout my life, I wrote poems, lyrics, stories but hardly ever shared or some, I never even wrote down for fear of being 'found out'.

But within the first hours of the seminar after being instructed to write, the following came to my mind and heart...Today I will begin to let my voice be heard…it is my voice, unlike no other, with all its imperfections, and blaring scars, it is mine to behold, so very loud and proud. The shame is absent or at least muffled, the words, though slight and minute will bellow…Today I will begin to let my voice be heard! So therefore, on May 2, 2010 I decided that whatever it was I had to say was important to someone and even if it wasn't, it was meaningful to me and isn't that cause enough?

So today after much thought and debate, this is my spot. A spot where I will be honest and awaken those threads that not many of us voice. The unvoiced feelings of growing older, of the place a family holds in every cell of my being, of experiences and for me, because I am an educator, so of being a teacher. I am a wife, a mother, a teacher, a friend and the more we travel in our journey together, I hope to be a beacon.

good bye bis zum nächsten Mal

Tracy

38 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

Nice to see your smiling face above! :) I am glad you dove in to let your voice be heard. I've only been following for a couple of months, but am glad to be hearing you.

Angela said...

Congrats on 100 posts!

CountryDreaming said...

Here's hoping we will see more of your poetry!
Congratulations and best wishes for your future success!

Pellie / Penny said...

Congratulations on your 100 post. Best wishes for the future.

Hugs,
Penny

Linda Reeder said...

I'm a recent follower, so It's good to get some background on you and how you got into this blogging business.
Keep on sharing your voice!

Out on the prairie said...

A blog centurian now, congratulations.Ich wusste nicht, Sie sprachen deutsch.We keep learning to write with practice, I often tried to explain that to students and they hardly ever saw the light.Before Internet I wrote letters regular, so now I am building typing skills as well.
Steve

JennyD said...

I loved that first post, Tracy. It was warm, genuine and completely open. Am I proud of you? You bet!
XOXOXO

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Tracy, Great picture --and that child looks like YOU..... Congrats on your 100th post... AND--I for one am THRILLED that you started blogging and that I got to know you...

How are your birds doing???
Hugs,
Betsy

Pat Tillett said...

Nice photo and a cute pup you got there! Your first blog post was different than many. Most people say they are writing for themselves and need a place to do this, that, or the other. Yours is different and I like it.

"Closet Writer" is a great term. I suppose I fall into that category myself. I've written things most of my life. Unfortunately, by the time I decided to expose myself to others, almost everything I'd written was lost. Pre-computer days...

Here's to your first 100 posts and to the next hundred!

KathyA said...

Great to now be able to place a face with a name. Have you been able to use the reading form in any of your classes? Has it worked? Kathy

Nancy said...

Nice to see a picture of you and your boy, Tracy! He's a handsome lad and looks very much like dear old mom.

Congrats on your 100th post. Quite an achievement, I say. :)

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Congrats on your 100th and what a great photo. Look forward to the next 100.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Yes! A good picture of you so I can finally see you! I like to see my blog friends in my mind when I read and comment to them. And I love that you are showing us your first post, since I did not know you then. I am so glad we found each other and congradulations on over 100 posts! Aren't you glad you aterted blogging?

Myne said...

Lovely picture! And congrats on the 100 posts.

The Words Crafter said...

Yay for 100 posts! Love the pic, too!

mamahasspoken said...

We all have our reasons to blog.
I like yours.
Congrads on the 100th post!

Jules said...

And I must say you speak with a very compassionate voice I love to hear/read :) You had to remind me of the Outer Banks, my favorite area of beaches and I'm not picky :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Catherine said...

Congratulations on your 100 post Tracy ~ good for you! Sweet photo ~ very happy faces! :)
xo Catherine

Lin said...

Congrats on your 100th Post!! Your post today reminded me of my favorite poem: Mary Oliver's "Mornings at Blackwater". It is one of the reasons I write--it so inspired me. I think you will like it. :)

Pitterle Postings said...

Congrats on your 100th post. You just keep going. I think you are doing a great job!

Arkansas Patti said...

Congrats big time on the 100th. Lots of people start blogging, not that many of them continue.
That was a super first post and I am so glad you have dropped into my cyper life.
Keep them coming gal.

Dawn said...

Love the picture!!! And congrats on100!:)
So thankful you began this Thoughtful Spot...I think we all need one some place or other:)

Julie Harward said...

I like your voice...and your golden! ;D

Corine Moore said...

That was just beautiful! :D Congratulations on accomplishing your goal of letting your voice (er a... pen ;) be heard/seen! ;D And congrats on the hundreth post!
Corine

From the Kitchen said...

I'm happy to read your very first post and know why you started blogging. I look forward to the next 100+.

Best,
Bonnie

Brian's Home Blog said...

Congrats on the 100 mark, see, time really does fly when you're having fun!

Sweet Old Vintage said...

Strong and lovely words... It is a winter wonderland here this morning... We made it through the night without any power loss and that makes me very happy... I did start to get somewhat concerned last evening as the sleet and ice hit the windows.. that I filled the bath tub with water and filled several gallon jugs up with water for use in kitchen and personal use and we fired the generator up to make sure it was in working order and placed new batteries in the flashlight and got candles ready... We aren't out of the woods yet as Chicago is suppose to have blizzard this afternoon and some of that could be headed our way... Right now snow is falling heavy but not wirling around.. It is actually lovely... we are safe so far and everything is in shut down in the area for all to be safe and let the road crews and clean up people do their jobs... I am going to create a few more Valentines this afternoon... and stay safe indoors....

Unknown said...

Hello Fellow North Carolinian! Here's to another beautiful day in the Carolinas as the rest of the nation is diggin' out from under their snow blankets :) Thanks for stopping over at http://thedogblog84.blogspot.com/ ! I think my Nugget and your Hurricane are about the same age. Two very handsome boys, I must say! Have a great day!

Kittie Howard said...

Congratulations on reaching such a beautiful milestone! With many more to come!! And big applause for finding your voice and reaching out. Write on!

Talli Roland said...

Happy 100th post! What a wonderful post to commemorate the occasion.

Breathing In Grace said...

I love your honesty....and boldness!!! This is one reason that I started my own blog almost 3 years ago...writing for HIM!!! It was at HIS direction....and He's seen fit to put things on my heart to share!!! Thanks for stopping by Jeremiah 29:11 and leaving me a sweet comment! I'll be back to visit you soon, too!

LV said...

It is nice reaching any number. I get excited over even one comment or a new follower. I appreciate them. Best wishes on 100 and keep them coming.

Anonymous said...

I've been blogging for over three years now, telling my stories, and I think it is just the best thing. It was scary at first, but the more I wrote, the better I got, and the less scary it became. We are all our stories, and if we do not tell them, how will our life be remembered? Keep writing.

Kay said...

Hi Tracy! It's so very nice to meet you. I do love meeting fellow teacher bloggers although I am retired now. I have a family of cyber (retired or still working) teacher bloggers on my site who are almost like a penpal family. I guess we relate to each other because of our teaching background.

Congratulations on making it to 100! Stay warm and have a great weekend!

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Congrats! You write very well.

Snowbrush said...

I have inlaws in a couple of places in your fair state, but I've never been to see them. Some live in Dunn, and I couldn't even tell you where the others live. We're from Mississippi originally, but have been in Oregon since 1986. My wife goes back there--or to NC--once or twice a year, but I never do. Except for the winter drizzle, we like it very well here in the Willamette Valley.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Tracy! Congrats on your 100th post. I will look forward to many more of your lovely words. Great photo and I love your dog. Have a great weekend.

Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...

Congratulations on 100 posts! Also, thank you for your lovely, encouraging comments! I'm glad you stepped out of the closet; you're an excellent writer.