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Contributing Editor Mary Tsao also blogs at Mom Writes.
Something remarkable has been happening in the BlogHer mommyblogging community. Moms have been helping other moms in their quest to go to BlogHer. Let me share with you the stories I know about. If there ever was a village at work, these stories prove it.
BlogHer Erin Kotecki Vest from Queen of Spain gave away two tickets, one to Christina from A Mommy Story and another to Mocha Momma.
BlogHer Mir wrote about how the Mommybloggers have put up ads and are selling swag to send at least one blogger to BlogHer and possibly more.
And Clay Cook (okay, not a mom, but a dad) from Minti has announced they also are giving away two free tickets to BlogHer.
But the latest story started when Sue from Red Stapler had a contest to give away a free ticket to BlogHer and picked Izzy from Izzy Mom. Except Izzy Mom already paid for her registration so she decided to give the free ticket to Elizabeth from Table for Five.
As Elizabeth puts it:
"Ladies, I don't know how else to say this so I'm just going to say it, please forgive me for shouting:
ME SHE PICKED ME I AM GOING TO BLOGHER HOLY CRAP I AM GOING TO BLOGHER
Are exclamation points even necessary?"
But wait, there's more. Have you got your hanky ready? Elizabeth had written an essay for the Mommyblogger's contest. This is part of what she wrote:
"I started my blog while on bed rest during my third pregnancy. I had been reading blogs, and from paying attention to both comments and blogrolls I started noticing the same people popping up, like a community. There was a circular nature to how A linked to B who linked to C who linked back to A. I wanted to be a part of that community. I wanted to find other women who would understand me and my life.
My college degree required a lot of creative writing, and I missed having that outlet, that way to express my thoughts and opinions. Blogging seemed like a natural solution. Looking back at my first posts I see that my writing was hesitant, stilted, as if I didn't want to inadvertently offend anyone and so was overly cautious. I have been trying to overcome that, to let the 'real' me do the writing. Through my blog I have met people I would have never known existed, and I think I am a better person because of them. They inspire me to be funny, forthright, honest and brave. They encourage me, support me, and genuinely care about me. Although I have a loving husband and terrific children, my world is also a better place because I have met these women. I have found my community, a small but faithful group of ladies who have never met me but think of me as their friend nevertheless. Over time, with their support and encouragement, I found my 'voice,' the voice of the 'real' me."
I am in awe of the generous spirit of all of these bloggers. In Elizabeth's case, she also received free airline miles for her trip from another Internet friend.
The theme of this year's BlogHer conference is How Is Your Blog Changing Your World? For Elizabeth and others--myself included--this question is important as well as profound; our blogs have literally changed our worlds. Elizabeth is looking forward to this year's conference and so am I. Are you?
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Mary Tsao | Mom Writes
