Tuesday, May 17, 2011

What I Learned.

DBlogWeek2011Button

I'm a couple of days late with this post - mostly because when I sat down to write in on Sunday evening, I couldn't find the right combination of words to express what I'm feeling.

I'm still not certain that I can find those words - but I'll try.

Here was the prompt: What have you learned from other blogs - either this week or since finding the D-OC? What has your experience of blogging the DBlog Week topics with other participants been like? What has finding the D-OC done for you? If you'd like, you can even look ahead and tell us what you think the future holds!

I tend to talk about the DOC a lot. (Um... you may have noticed.) I've talked about that moment when I first realized that I wasn't alone after all; how reading my experiences through someone else's words feels validating and depressing all at once; how being connected can make me feel supported, yet guilty somehow.

I guess what's why I couldn't find the words the other night - because I've already spoken many of them.

But Diabetes Blog Week did provide some amplification - more voices, focused and more frequent writing, and a heightened sense of community. The amount of participants (times 7 posts each, equals...  brain aneurysm) was astounding to me. (On a related note... Hallie put together what must have been a very time-consuming video with just about everybody listed on there. Wow!) And the imaginations, creativity, and just plain guts this community possesses was so fun to see.

I think Diabetes Blog Week strengthens the bonds we have in this community, with each other. We may not all agree on many things (or anything at all, necessarily) - but we can still respect and support one another. We can agree to disagree. We can empathize and reassure, even when we can't endorse or affirm.

We're family, and that's what families do.

7 comments:

  1. Exactly. That's what it is - a community that is like family. We aren't alone, and it's like sharing with close brothers and sisters who are right there growing up with us. The words came out perfectly here, Kim, and you expressed them wonderfully as you always do. With just the right combo of humor, seriousness, fun, and awesomeness. Thanks for being a part of this, even if we sometimes have to re-write what we've already written in the past. Well worth reading again.

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  2. I love our community as well! It really has helped me through so much. There is nothing like reading someone else's story and knowing EXACTLY what they are talking about.

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  3. I agree - it does strengthen and unify an already strong and unified group. :)

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  4. :) I am like glowing with D-OC love and glitter right now...you guys are the bestest!!! xoxo

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  5. i totally agree, kim! beautiful post! DOC love! :)

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  6. Sister Sledge anyone? "We are family! I've go the DOC with me! We are family! Come on everybody and sing!"

    :)

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  7. Glad to be part of your family!

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