Yes…I’m cheating. Sue me! This is my A to Z goodbye post and here I am...stumbling across the finish line. I must say I have mixed feeling about this year’s wonderful ride.
A LOT of things tried to pile on me in April, doing everything they could to keep me from fulfilling my commitment. You already know about my wife’s tribulations, but then my father was put in the hospital, and then we had to put down one of our family pets of 13+ years. Despite all that I posted for all 26 letters (let’s not talk about J), but I’m not looking for a medal! I tell you that to explain why you didn’t see me at your own blogs much, and I’m sorry for that.
On the flip side I was forced to take a good look at myself this month, and I'm pleased with what I found. I am close...really close...to achieving my publishing dream, but more importantly I came face to face with adversity and although I've stumbled at times, I'm still standing. How can you feel negative about an event like A-Z when it ended up helping me find a little clarity?
To those of you who found me during the challenge, I sure hope you’ll continue to drop by and become a regular. Now that the posting every day has ended, I promise I’ll be dropping by your blogs real soon to close the loop. :)
The ones who have been following along for the contest, I will post my DL Quiz on Friday, along with a summary of who’s in the running. Comments for all of the A-Z posts will close at midnight (central time) on Thursday, May 2nd. The contest winner will be announced Monday, May 6th…along with the quiz answers.
You now have my permission to go take a long nap! It has been well earned!
It's been an honor to host along side you, DL. I'm glad you made it through.
ReplyDeleteGreat last post of the challenge, been great visiting you.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I'm envious of those bloggers who are able to deliver interesting posts every day throughout the challenge. Congratulations on having achieved it. It's one of the reasons that I've not gone in for the A-Z but perhaps I ought to get disciplined and tackle it next year.
ReplyDeleteSometimes just hearing (reading) ones own Voice (words) makes for clarity and understanding. Adversity is a means to an end...isn't it great when it works out in a positive way? Enjoy your Nap!
ReplyDeleteMy Letter'Z'...Quilters Zodiac
Sue CollectInTexasGal
AtoZ LoneStar Quilting Bee
My best wishes to you, your wife and your family. Well done for completing the challenge. I know my family are glad it is over!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing. Sorry that you had to struggle through so many family issues this month.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you made it thru the pile ups. I hope your wife is feeling better! Also, thanks for sharing those tid-bits of yourself with us.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the hard month but congrats on finishing!
ReplyDeleteTa Da! We made it! I figure every time we complete a writing goal we set for ourselves (like A to Z) our creative/writing process improves/quickens and we become a bit more confidant in our abilities. Now go spend some quality time with your wife!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it strange when things happen like that? I'm not a believer in the whole happens in threes thing, but bad things do seem to come in groups. I don't know why, but it also seems like right after you get through it, something good is always on the other side. Kind of like a rainbow. Maybe yours is right around the corner.
ReplyDeleteYou're allowed one cheat for X Y or Z, surely!
ReplyDeleteHappy LAst Day
I'm thinking about you and your family during this tough time. Family health issues are hard because they are out of our control and losing a pet, its so difficult. I hope having a ton of friends come to visit you each day helps!
ReplyDeleteGreat theme, sir. I enjoyed your posts. I enjoyed your story. Your writing is great. Please keep it going. I want to see you published too.
Oh, and I giveth to youeth the Zombie Rabbit Award. More details on today's Z post.
Heather
You are such a wonderful example for the rest of us. All your various trials and you still kept going. I really hope you reach your publishing dreams soon and I hope your wife and father are doing well. I'm really sorry to hear about your dog.
ReplyDeleteSorry you had so many battles, but you emerged stronger. Glad you were part of the Challenge Team!
ReplyDeleteshouldn't it be... Zoo Me!
ReplyDeletegreat job, great post... it's been an honor!
Prayers that May is full of nothing but sunshine, you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteI admit it was nice to gain a little more insight into YOU during this month, BUT I already knew you are one of the GOOD GUYS!
ReplyDeleteYou made it, go out and celebrate. Better yet bring something in and celebrate with your wife. Something like a nice creamy milkshake or smoothie (trust me it helps, get rid of that metallic/chemical taste - not there yet - OK tuck this tidbit away for later).
I enjoyed your A to Z posts DL. And it was great learning more about you.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and your family!
Writer In Transit
Congratulations on finishing the Challenge, DL! Wishing you much more relaxing and stress-free days the rest of this spring!!
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
I hope May will bring much better news for you and your family. As for your A-Z posts, they are greatly appreciated - most generous contribution. All the best DL.
ReplyDeleteYou did it! And you did it in spite of a lot of life trying to stop you. Here's to not giving up and here's to life handing you some good news and happiness. You've earned some of both.
ReplyDeleteYay for making it all the way to the finish! Now breath and relax...
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the month of April was a sure test of willpower for you. God is making you strong to persevere. Life is so hard and fragile at times, be strong for your wife and family. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog, and I pray for you and your family in the future and good luck with your publishing goals!
ReplyDeleteYou've earned a rest!
ReplyDeleteYou forgot to say, "and thanks for all the zish."
ReplyDeleteGreat post and I didn't see any rules about making up words :)
ReplyDeleteSimply Sarah
I'm sorry April was such a challenge (above and beyond your expectations) I hope everything smooths out for you soon.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for finishing DL! What a ride.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the finish! Wishing you a calm and stress-free post A-to-Z Challenge, brimming with success, happiness, joy, and health for you and your family. All the best, DL.
ReplyDeleteVR Barkowski
I wasn't as regular as I wanted to be here, or on other blogs - I'm no Alex - but I'm making the rounds today...
ReplyDeleteThanks for permission to nap! Z is for Zzzzzzzz!
ReplyDelete:)
Z is Zzzzzzzzz, I like it, David (blogger who commented above me). I have one hell of a headache today, but I don't think it has anything to do with A-Z. Anyway DL, thanks for stopping by my Y post. I've made it up to K on your posts and have only found a few little typos, but nothing to make my eyes bleed yet! I've noticed a few typos in my own comments to you so we're even...maybe. I am glad that you are really close to achieving your publishing dream and do plan to keep stopping by to visit you here from time to time.
ReplyDeleteCheers, B from http://brandysbustlings.blogspot.ca/
Congrats on finishing the Challenge! It was so much fun. A nap sounds really good right now.
ReplyDeleteApril showers DO bring May flowers...kinda' like life. Thank you for inspiring so many! Get some sleep. This teacher is giving you an A+!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, DL... so many more important things to deal with. It's wonderful that you found clarity in the midst of it all. Here's a toast to you, to all of us, who finished the challenge! *POP, fizzzzzzz, clink* Time not only for a nap but for an eye and finger vacation!
ReplyDeleteYay, we all survived! Way to stick to it. I had a blast and enjoyed every one of your blog posts. Not only that, I made it to 300+ NEW blogs this month. How awesome is that?
ReplyDeleteYou did an amazing job in spite of everything life threw at you. Sorry it's been so hard. But the A-Z is an uplifting experience - we all learn so much from each other!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a fun month, glad you survived.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear your spring has been so difficult. Congratulations on finishing the challenge and finding clarity in the process.
ReplyDeleteI didn't hear about your dad or the pet you had to put to sleep :( Very sorry DL.
ReplyDeleteDL, you had it rough this month - kudos for sticking it out. I'm glad I was a co-host with you for the A to Z this year.
ReplyDeleteI got a few visits from you during April, so I will take that. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm very impressed you made it through this challenge considering all that befell you and your family during this month!
I also have mixed feelings about this year's challenge, but I'll talk about those in the reflection post. :)
Haha! It was a really cute cheat though. :) Congrats on finishing the challenge!
ReplyDelete#atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com
Well I had a pretty easy month where A-Z was concerned, cause I wrote them all in one lump and scheduled them--that's the way to go for me, I think :) Glad you made it through!
ReplyDeleteAllison (Geek Banter)
Hi Don .. I emailed before I read this .. so more tribulations came along your journey of life - it happens unfortunately - Nick Wilford's book "Overcoming Adversity" with 70 of us contributing shows the tapestry of human emotion, struggles and that tug to pull us through ...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on achieving the Z of the challenge, keeping your contest going .. and generally being with us .. cheers Hilary
Overcoming adversity is no small feat. Don't sell yourself short. Our having that ability is what makes us who we are. All the stuff you've faced our the past month makes you that much more powerful as a writer. Hang in there DL. I'll echo Hilary in mentioning Nick Wilford's book. This to shall pass only to be replaced by more challenging things.
ReplyDeleteWOOOOOoooooT for clarity!!
ReplyDeleteIt's never zo long - more like zee you again, really zoon.
ReplyDeleteYou did it. Congratulations. And with all that was thrown at you in April, my goodness -- May better be the BEST month ever!
ReplyDeleteYou crossed the finish line. I don't think that's all that matters however. I think the journey is the most important part of it all. If you really think about it, are you ever fully done with anything. Your thoughts and memories hold things into a foreverness...and maybe twenty years down the road you'll randomly slip on the memory of your A to Z challenge...perhaps the 'Y' or maybe the 'L' and think over it. Who knows!
ReplyDeleteCongradulations on learning about yourself. I think that is the better achievement here.
Cheers,
Michala
Rather you than me I say. This A to Z challenge is not for the weak. Despite all the things that went wrong behind the scenes you pushed through with dedication and remained focused on the task ahead whilst dealing with other issues. Congrats for not giving up and for passing the finishing line.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who manages a life AND posts for A-Z has my admiration :) I stayed mostly off-line during April, but like you, I'm hoping to get back into the swing of normal blogging now.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your contest Don. I'm sending hugs and well wishes for your wife, and your family.
......dhole
I think our entire A to Z Team has been sufficiently challenge this year. Wow! What a ride!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your great work as an A to Z Co-host. You did well.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
You're a superhero for keeping up with the challenge while going through all the troubles at home. I really enjoyed your posts. My very best wishes to your wife and father. I hope they get better soon. :-)
ReplyDeleteVery sorry you had all of those challenges in one month, but you did an admirable job with everything. It was so nice to come by and read lots of great blogs.
ReplyDelete