Blogging is a funny thing. Most people (okay, me) start as a means to get their writing out to the masses, even if “the masses” consists of five family members. It is an opportunity for creative expression, professional promotion, archiving family memories and good old-fashioned venting. It can also act as an obituary.
Today I read the about a blogger named Derek K. Miller, who lost his battle with cancer in Burnaby, B.C. at 41. His final request to his family and friends was for them to publish ‘The Last Post’ and allow him to be the one to notify his readers of his passing.
Miller’s final post went viral the same day it was posted on May 4th, drawing three million visitors to his website. The message was prepared weeks in advance of his passing, as he and his family both knew his battle with colorectal cancer was not going to have a happy ending.
I’ve been struggling to get my new blog design up and in the process had to move to self-hosting. Long story short, I had a very frustrating weekend that left me wondering why I’m doing any of this in the first place. Was it worth it? Would anyone even notice if I pulled the plug on my site?
I still don’t know the answers to these questions, but here I am, blogging away on two different sites. Reading about Derek obviously put my petty challenges in perspective while offering inspiration: “Pursue what (you) enjoy, and what stimulates (your) mind, as much as possible—so you can be ready for opportunities…”
Like Derek Miller (and every writer I know), not writing is not an option. The reason we write doesn’t really matter, provided that we keep doing it until we no longer can.
LD
Andrea
bjas
Sharon
Maria
Restless Writers 
With tears brimming, I say, yes, I agree.
I will keep blogging till I can’t anymore.
It is a blessing in my life, and I am grateful to be here to do it.
Lovely, amazing, wonderful post, L.
Thank you, Empress! I hate/love reading about people like Derek – especially with so much nuttiness going on around us. It puts things in perspective.
Oh my. I am speechless. I had no idea about this post. Thank you so much for sharing. For inspiring me.
What more can we ever hope for than that the words “I loved you, I loved you, I loved you” be strung together for us?
Just wow.
I know – a real-life love story!
Absolutely….not writing is never an option. Great post, Lori.
Thanks, BJas 😀
Thank you for this thoughtful post. I find this so true. I’m relatively new to blogging, and it’s easy to get discouraged or question the importance of it. I try to remind myself to commit to the process – just to do it for myself – because I’m a happier, saner and more fun loving person when I do so. So I rationalize that it’s good for the entire famiglia, even though I feel like it takes time away sometimes from searching for a “real” job….
Hands down: what’s good for YOU, is always good for the FAMILY!
Keep it up and have fun 🙂
Anyone funny enough to name a blog “The Poop of Others” should never, ever stop writing…
Pressing too many keys at once I deleted my comment as I pressed the Like button ,which I wanted to do as well. Long story short, you have given me needed inpiration, thankyou. (Yes. I am a borderline old bitty with the soul of an eighteen year old trying to be resoled in time by my writing.)
I think you sound like a sassy broad and I would like to be like you when I grow up…
Wow… Very sad, indeed. Thanks for posting this. Now, I will never question why I write or distress when inspiration is nowhere to be found.
Like Derek Miller… I will write.