Prologue
I've been thinking about this post for awhile now and I've composed several mental rough drafts: Some aim to be light-hearted and humorous, others more introspective and philosophical; others were kinda on the gushy-sentimental side, and a few other drafts were too brief, and a little flippant. In short, it's been difficult. Probably because saying "goodbye" is a toughie.
But, here: I think this is my best version of saying farewell in a manner that's best in keeping with this blog.
The Long Goodbye
Some of you may remember about a year ago when I summarized a conversation I'd had with my mother wherein she said, "You know those bloggers. They're all so self-absorbed." At the time, I laughed it off, but as is true for most things mothers say, her words lingered with me, and like koan, I've been turning her phrase over in my mind and meditating on it for nearly a year now.
It's true that there's something narcissistic about blogging in order to believe that readers may be interested in what I have to write about myself and my life, but did that make my blogging a simple act of self-centered naval gazing without further meaning or significance? Was this an act of simple vanity?
After thinking on it for a long time, I came to the following conclusion: Yes, this blog is about the personal, but there's something universal about the personal.
That's why people write blogs, read blogs, and take the time to leave one another thoughtful comments (or even go one step further and connect with one another outside of blogging) because blogging helps us feel connected to one another by understanding that ours is not a singular experience. This has made my blogging meaningful and this is why I have appreciated having so many of you as readers for so many years, and why I am truly grateful to you for allowing me to read your blogs and gain insight into your experience as I search to discover significance in mine.
So, thank you.
Thank you for reading, thank for leaving kind and encouraging comments, and thank you for opening up your personal world to me as a reader. I've enjoyed this community immensely; it has meant a lot to me.
My best wishes to each of you as readers! Enjoy your running, enjoy your families, your friends, your work, and your lives!
So long, farewell, auf weidersehen, goodbye!
Toodles,
Jess
Epilogue
I fell down yesterday while I was running. Scraped the hell out of my left knee. It stung as the air bit it once I got up and resumed running. It's been YEARS since I fell down while running. YEARS.
My first thought after resuming the run was: "Yay, what a story for the blog!" Second thought: "Ah shit, I'm gonna miss blogging."
43 comments:
Keep in touch! Maybe we can still have a drink the next time I go visit my grandmother.
I don't know if ive ever commented before, but im going to miss your blog a lot! I will miss your friendly, down to earth and honest insights on everything from running, to kid, to work. Best of luck to you!
Thank you for sharing your life as you have. While I may not have commented all of the time, I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to follow along with you over the years.
There are no hard and fast rules on the internet. If you end up going to a run where the temperature is ungodly hot, you trip and fall, poop yourself, and then have both kiddos in the stroller poop too, you can always come back and write about it :)
So long and thanks for all the fish.
Thank you for opening a small window into your life an sharing not only your running experiences, but some of your personal life. I think your blog did have more meaning than just a narcissistic one. At least for me, your blog helped me forge my own online presence. Your blog was one of the first running blogs I read and got me interested in starting my own. Enjoy life and keep up your "21 Day Habit"!
My daughter is just a little younger than your Norah and I've really enjoyed reading your blog and following how you've balanced family, work and running. Your posts always inspired me to keep running even when its been difficult as a mom. Good luck to you and your family. Keep running!
Its been fun to see how your life has changed from bowling and drinking to full on mom mode. What I have liked is that your running blog hasn't focused on running 100% of the time. Turns out, running is what we do when we're not doing 'life'.
Enjoy your additional time - keep us posted if you need any more votes for online writing contests!
Jess thanks so much for your blog, I have read yours since I started blogging. You are a good writer, and I will miss it for sure!!
Thanks so much for your blog, will miss it.
Hope to see you pop around once in a while... I'm really going to miss your blog.
Just wanted to say thank you. And what Laur said.
Just wanted to let you know how much I've enjoyed your blog. I have a son about Norah's age, and a second on the way, so I've really been able to relate to you. Thanks for sharing your experiences, and I'll miss you - a lot!
I have loved reading your blog and laughing at your funny side of every story! You will be missed!
Even though I don't always comment, I have loved reading your blog the past year + that I have been around blog land. I will miss hearing your running stories and stories about the kids. Good luck with everything!
Your blog will be missed, more than you know. Thank you for your posts and if you miss us, we'll be here!
At least the epilogue was in true Jess style and made me laugh. I will miss the blog but will catch you on the flip side.
I have truly enjoyed our blog and I am sad to see it go. You never fail to but a smile on my face. Because of you, I have added two 21 Days original phrases to my vocab.....barfisode and deuce juice. :p
Keep on running and I wish you the best.
I'll miss your blog! Enjoy the next stage!
:(
Thanks Jess! You'll be missed!
Best wishes!!! I always enjoyed reading your blog....for years! Enjoy your family and keep on running.
Goodbye, Jess! Though I'm secretly hoping you'll be back ;)
Great last post. I related to a lot of what you said (as usual). I'll definitely miss you on the blog-net, but I do understand your decision. Enjoy those kiddos and keep running!!
xo
Hopefully, auf Wiedersehen! :)
Goodbye to your blog Jess. I know that I've been a less than frequent commenter recently,, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been reading along. I'll miss your blog and your funny stories, but I will search for you on Daily Mile. You can always write about falling and pooping there too!
The hills are alive.......... 21 days to form a habit.
I won't say goodbye to your blog. I'll simply say: until we read again... :)
I found your blog when I was pregnant (and running).
I didn't comment often (too busy being pregnant and then being a mom, I guess), but your blog was always a "comfort" blog - one I would seek out when I needed a laugh (I would frequently visit the "on how I"m being underminded" video) or to read a good story.
Thank you so much for sharing with your life with (mostly) strangers.
Be well and I hope to see a random post from you once in a while.
Miss your blog already. I wish nothing but the best for you & your family. Your children are just the cutest!
Good bye and thank you for all the great reads :)
I miss you already. You were my 2nd commenter EVER. So glad we got to meet in person and look forward to staying in touch on FB.
And I'll keep waiting for you to pop back up in my reader someday. ;o)
We're going to miss you too.
I'm really going to miss reading your blog! Thanks for sharing all your stories!
With no "goodbye" to say, I delayed in commenting on this post.
It's like being in grade school when you had friends who, in the morning, would tell you that they no longer want to be your friend. Then play with all the other kids at recess.
It is undeniable that real connections are made in this virtual world. Your daily dose of wonderful words will be missed.
Now you'll just have to share those stories on FB so I know when to send bandaids.
Thanks Jess! You are a wonderful person and a skilled writer.
Darn, I just discovered your blog less than 6 months ago and have been enjoying it ever since!
You are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your life and all the best in the future.
Hang around! I'm really going to miss your daily ramblings and cute baby pictures. Good luck with everything, and don't be afraid to come back and post every once in a while. Take care Jess.
Figures with the timing of your tumble! (ouch, BTW)
I have days where I constantly find myself thinking, 'Oooh I can mention this on the blog.' But then I have days/weeks where I find myself wondering 'What on eath am I going to blog about?' or 'How can I make this blog worthy?'
Anyway... good riddance to this blog. I will miss reading about the ins and outs of your day. You've always kept it real and it's been a hoot!
PEACE!
Take care Jess! I will always be thankful for our blogs and how they crossed one hot muggy morning in Florida for a 5K :)
Two kids later you are still the cutest runner eva!
We will always have FB! Your blog was
LEGEND........................wait for it.................................................................................................................ARY!!
PS that 5K is still my PR! Even if it meant a fight with the hubby, LOL!
Beautifully done.
Whenever I wrote a post in the bakc of my head I always thought "Jess will read this and she's an English professor, so it better be good shit". It kept me going for a long while.
Cheers.
I've read your blog off and on for awhile now, as I too am a running mom and ran while pregnant too. I think we were running pregnant together, and that's when I found you. I really enjoyed reading about your experiences and best wishes to you and your family! P.S. I also have a flat headed baby (my 2nd child, also)--hopefully your little man's head re-shapes nicely :) Happy running!
Hey Jess, I just saw that you stopped blogging. I always enjoyed reading. Best wishes!
I have enjoyed your blog for years. I am a runner like you and have two children very close in age to yours. I've always enjoyed watching yours grow and going through life "together" through the ups and downs of being a runner and mommy, even though I never once commented. Thank you so much for posting and best of luck to you and your family.
I can't believe your quitting! I just found this blog last night (literally). Anywho, your writing is hilarious and true and engaging and I hope you don't stop writing altogether.
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