Initially, A Princess Born of India was started to help Pat and I connect with a child we had not yet met, but whom we longed to love. The soul purpose was to record the history of how our family was built; that my girls would have an accurate account of the details of their stories long after my memory begins to fail me. Over the years, the blog has evolved and has worn many hats. It became the place we could proudly show off the latest facial expressions of our two children before they joined our families. Blogging was the main source of information to our families and friends when we traveled abroad. It has been my source of serenity, realizing a love of writing through sharing emotional experiences I thought I would never feel in becoming a mother. And it has been a wonderful time capsule to reflect on how our lives have changed in the past several years since it’s conception.
Pleasantly, it became a connection to an unexpected group of readers; people who share similar parenting issues, or whom we share the bond of adoption or love of India. Many contacted me privately seeking help surviving the adoption gauntlet, looking for attachment ideas or simply to introduce the children that hold their hearts as they, too wait. Although I am no expert in these areas, I have sincerely enjoyed that connection. To think that a post about adoption delays may have helped ease the minds of another in a similar predicament, or that exposing ourselves through the details of a parenting disaster brought encouragement from readers makes blogging so worth the effort.
I know eventually the girls will no longer want their private lives displayed for all to see, at which point I will journal for them in private. I had thought that would be when they are considerably older, but now that our adoptions are final (and I don’t currently have another one planned...yet) the connections I had been making are beginning to become fewer in number. The blog receives less and less traffic and certainly even less comments, leading me to believe that I am reaching fewer readers through the topics that I post now, fogging the need to broadcast our story via the internet. When we were hip wading through the international bog of adoption I clung onto anyone’s success story I could find, so to return the favor, if there is a readership that is encouraged, or finds value in the words shared, I would love to hear from you. Please help me make the hard decision to become newly inspired to continue on or put A Princess Born of India to bed.
If you would like to email privately, I welcome that too. (greenden@comcast.net)
22 comments:
Julie: I know I don't always post but I love reading your posts. The days of adoption for us are gone for mnay reasons. I love seeing your ideas on parenting and the dirrerent things you do as a family to embrace the Indian culture. I almost feel like a distant relative when I read your posts and updates on the girls since I have followed your blog since before sweet Devi came home. I would miss your blog alot but I also want you to do what is best for your family.
Leveta
I LOVE reading your blog. When we were adopting from Ethiopia, there were probably thousands of adoption blogs to choose from. Each one gave me something different...hope...strenght...faith...advice...ect...
When we found our daughter on the WIC list from India, we searched for blogs to help us with the wait, the unknown, pretty much everything. There just aren't a great deal of Indian adoption blogs. Please don't stop posting...so many families need to have hope, strenght, faith, and advice. You give that to them...to me.
No matter what you choose to do, please know that I appreciate your blog and I hope you don't delete it all together.
Another fan posting! I love to see different ways you incorporate Indian cultural heritage in your family, and I enjoy seeing one of Anya Rashi's cribmates grow and learn. I am so enjoying Treya's progress -- especially since she came from a different orphanage and was a little older (as our next little one might be).
Your take on life is always refreshing, and like Leveta, I feel a like a far-flung family member. :o) I do understand the trickiness of posting about older kids, though -- my sons are much more sensitive to that now. I only include milestones or activity-oriented photos/posts of them these days.
So, if you can find the time and energy, I'd love to keep reading about your family! Have you ever checked your blog stats on the dashboard? It's a way to see how many are actually reading it, as opposed to those who comment.
Nancy
Julie and Pat, I hope you will keep posting. You have such a unique style and there is such fun and love in your posts. The kids will love that all their stories are there forever. They are not a generation of photo albums and newspaper clippings. I have loved seeing your family grow and how you are enjoying your babies discovering the world. When the teen years come maybe you can teach them to tell their own story. I hope you keep posting. I think you might be surprised how many people read to keep in touch like me. My best to your lovely family.
I like reading your blog. It's encouraging to me. We are in the process of adopting from India, and it feels like we will be waiting forever. Seeing your girls smile reminds me that all this waiting is going to be worth it.
Jules, I rarely make comments, but I check your blog almost daily with eager anticipation for a new post. If you do decide to take your notes and pictures off-line, I will truly miss reading the blog. However, after discussing this with you in person, I understand your reluctance to continue unless the blog is truly of benefit to someone facing the gauntlet of international adoption. I know that you will make the right decision.
I'm a huge fan! I check it at least weekly to see if you've updated it. Your writing is so vivid and you are trudging through & enjoying many of the same things we are as parents. I know it must be time consuming, but I'll definitely keep reading if you keep writing! :) Traci
I am a big fan of your blog, not the best at leaving comments, but a fan nontheless! You are a wonderful writer and I enjoy reading about all the adventures your family experiences. I agree with Nancy on enjoying how you incorporate the Indian culture into your family. If the blog goes I will also miss seeing your beautiful girl's faces.
keep it up. I look forward to it almost every day. It is all too common for families to return with their children from India and drop off the end of the earth. I'm not going to lie, that is a little intimidating. Call it survival or whatever it is. I am constantly encouraged that you make it look so easy and fun. The girls are beautiful, and a reminder that life is 'meant to be'. I enjoy it immensely.
Julie, Although I have never posted a comment, I have thoroughly enjoyed the tales of your family - from the beginning to today. Our mutual college friend, Monica, sends me the link occasionally. All the best to you, Pat, Devi, and Treya, whatever you decide with regard to continuing your blog.
-Leah
I rarely comment on anyone's blog anymore, simply because it has gotten so busy at my house. However, I read many of our close circle of bloggers faithfully, checking for updates long before they are posted. I love your style, the way you paint a picture, the way I can perfectly relate to your situations. I would hate to lose that, but if you do end the blog, I will look to continue to connect in other ways. A tough decision, my friend.
We enjoy your blog sooooo much. All of you & Pat's adventures in parenting make ours seem not so crazy. AND you are such a talented writer! Would be so sad to see it go. But as others have said, you've gotta do what's best for you all - life is busy, for sure! Hoping to read many more to come.
Much Love, Lindley Phill & Harrison
I am a faithful lurker. We are waiting to bring our second daughter home from India, and I have followed your blog for about a year now and have especially enjoyed stories of how your girls interact. We have been matched with our Indian sweetheart for over a year now and are still waiting for her referral. Your blog gives me hope. If you stop blogging, you will be very missed.
Teresa
Oh, please keep blogging! It's something I look forward to reading so much. I love reading your updates and seeing pictures of the girls as they grow up. I have been moved to tears many times, especially during your journeys to India to meet your daughters for the first time. You both should be commended for the many ways you have incorporated Indian culture into their lives.
I am a fan of your blog, too. :) Nichole and I are friends, and I really agree with what she said, there are hardly any Indian adoption blogs around, so it is SO ENCOURAGING to read of families who have actually MADE it. :) So, I am all for you keeping on....
I am a fan of your blog, too. :) Nichole and I are friends, and I really agree with what she said, there are hardly any Indian adoption blogs around, so it is SO ENCOURAGING to read of families who have actually MADE it. :) So, I am all for you keeping on....
I have really enjoyed your blog(I found you through the Labonte's site) and have enjoyed going through the adoption process "with you". Whatever you decide, thanks for sharing your lovely family with us!
Emily
I love your blog Julie! Faithful reader here!
Amy T
I don't always comment, and not just on your blog, on alot of people's blogs that I follow. LOL, I can be such a lurker, but I still read your blog and I love it.
Always loved your blog and will always love it. I do not leave comments thinking it may not be as interesting to receive it from an anonymous reader :) I've shared your story with other friends. If you decide to put this to rest, you should know that you have done one amazing job. God Bless you and your family. Special blessing to Devi and Treya :)
-Mercy
I LOVE reading your posts. Your girls and your family bring a smile to my face and hope to my heart. I love your ideas on teaching your girls to embrace their Indian culture and how you've made it your family culture. I do understand you considering privacy issues though. I'd miss you if you left the blog world.
I know I rarely post, but for me, this is a great connection to you and the girls and the happenings of our lives that I so dearly miss. I would be sad to see it go, but I also know the demands of life and how they impact our time. If you have the energy, I am a frequent follower!
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