I wrote recently that it seemed my life purpose seemed to be to inspire women seeking change in their lives. I’m not sure how that actually will work itself out but I recently got a message from a woman that we’ll call Anne that suggests maybe it sometimes happens inadvertently. This was the message that “Anne” sent to me:
It’s just funny how different and/or unexpected things end up making an impression with you sometimes.
I’ve been trying for a few months now to get the courage to leave my husband, as he’s been cheating on me and doesn’t seem to intend to stop. Fearing the unknown has basically kept me here. You know…questions like, will I be alone forever? Who will want me now, as a single mother, etc. (oh, and also the daunting stats about black women and marriage/re-marriage).
But after reading 2 of your blog entries in particular I decided it’s something I definitely should do. One was the synopsis of your life where you were a young single mother and ended up finding Andy who you are (or at least seem to be) quite happy with. I guess I was surprised at how readily he adopted your daughter. Realizing of course that you undoubtedly left a LOT out in your journey and also that you were 20 and I am 30, but no matter!
The other one was when you described your cruise and made mention of the times you and Andy sat on your balcony and chatted over breakfast and how you were able to linger and talk over dinner while the kids were off doing something else. My reaction to that was, “I WANT THAT!!” My husband and I are just so different that we cannot sit and have pleasant conversations. He’s very quiet and would rather watch TV than discuss much of anything and finds it a burden when I raise various topics. I used to keep telling myself that it doesn’t matter…but it definitely does.
Anne has since made some decisions to move forward with her life and I will be posting her journal entries here each Wednesday to document her journey. Things like this make the whole blog thing seem worthwhile.
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This is so awesome. I am happy for “Anne” and I hope that writing about her struggles and you sharing them here will help her not only therapeutically, but also to stick with the decisions she’s made to make her life better. I look forward to reading more about her.
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I second that, Kam. Wishing her the best of luck and lots of strength!
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Wow, Shannon. What a voice and strength you must be giving Anne. I’m proud of her and I don’t even know her. Another weekly I now look forward to!
You are fab. And so is your heart.
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Wow, great story! I’m happy for her, for making that decision and for you, because it seems you’ve found purpose. And for many of us, when that happens, it brings all sorts of clarity. Keep up your great work.
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BTW, just wanted you to know that this social bar at the bottom of your page makes the Chrome browser on my Mac feel just a little bit more legitimate. I have some serious complaints about Chrome for Mac, but at least this little functionality you’ve included makes me feel more at home.
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Shannon Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Thanks? It’s called Meebo if you’re interested in installing it on your blog. http://bar.meebo.com/.
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Wow. I think this is exactly one of the best benefits of blogging- connecting with people whose lives you touch. How inspiring, and wonderful that she wrote to tell you how you influenced your life. Reading how you write about Andy has also made me think a lot about whatever future mate I may have in the far off future… it makes me happy to think that it just might be possible to be married to someone and have children with someone that I will enjoy and have fun with many years after the honeymoon phase is over.
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you are such a blogger rock star…helping people and all!
way to go Anne.
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What an incredible story. I look forward to reading more of Anne’s story. It is good that you could inspire her to make positive changes in her life.
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Wow…I think I might have been Anne at one point in my life!
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