I’ve had time to come down from the ceiling now after my nomination and subsequent (wonderful miraculous humbling and very exciting) shortlisting in the Inspire category of the Brilliance in Blogging awards.
I am so proud, and have been utterly overwhelmed at the response my shortlisting has had on friends and family and followers of the blog, also delighted by the support that the local Cambridge media have shown me in a ‘local girl does good’ kind of way. I was featured on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and in the Cambridge News and also again in the Cambridge News online … somehow the positive message that it is OK to be an older Mum seems to have touched people and this shortlisting supports that … us older mothers (well other than me) are not aged crones with withered breasts struggling to keep up with technology and fashion (yes I said apart from me), most of us are perfectly capable, loving, able mothers who (often) have more time for their children not because we don’t work or have saved a fortune, or maybe better put, because we do want to make more time for their children, women who breastfeed, who sing ‘Dingle Dangle Scarecrow’ and ‘Baa Baa Blacksheep’ with absolute delight, and who can and do lead inspiring exciting lives. It is possible to be blissfully happy with a child ‘later in life’ and for that child to joyfully thrive (I know … you shouldn’t split infinitives but it’s been a long day) and succeed in life.
so so happy
I’ve been so touched by the messages I’ve received since I started writing my ramblings from older mothers, from would be older mothers, from those older women who wish they had become or dared to try to become older mothers all saying thank you for my inspiration. Actually, I’ve been flabbergasted and deeply moved that anything I write could touch anyone, but maybe that’s what it takes, one fool standing on a box, or rather sitting infront of one and saying that it is ok and it is possible and to wear their heart on their sleeve about their fears and concerns. One lady contacted me recently to say that her child had just been born and that reading my blog had given her the courage to go through with her journey at the point where she was about to give up, I’m so grateful that she told me that and that I have in some way been able to play a positive part in someone else’s life.
So there it is …
I have never been more broke, more tired first thing in the morning, more un-made up, less ironed (ok I’m lying about the ironing, I never did any anyway) and I have never been happier or felt more secure. Every penny matters in a way it never has before, I have Hope’s future to invest in and to help build a foundation for and I have the most remarkable little person in my world … and we are so very lucky to have so many incredible friends and the support of our wonderful family … and our virtual friends, the ones we’ve made here and elsewhere online who have supported us through this journey.
Hope and dreams
I looked up the word ‘inspire’ in an online dictionary …
/inˈspī(ə)r/Verb
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… looking at the list of other shortlisted writers I am inspired by so many of them and overwhelmed by others … and I am so so proud and happy to be listed amongst them and to be able to be considered to ‘inspire’ others. My daughter inspires me … as do the many wonderful ‘older mothers’ who I’ve met.
If after looking at this list of writers you still want to vote for me and my Mush Brained Ramblings I’d be so so grateful.
I type publish on this post on the same date that two years ago an A grade 5 day old embryo was transferred into me … I never dared dream that day that I’d have a healthy wonderful daughter 10 months later let alone that I’d start a blog that would one day inspire people…. and by an utter miracle, 2 years on, here we are.
The Inspire (Category 5) Shortlist comprises the following wonderful blogs (and mine!). Voting closes at midnight at the end of Sunday 12th May.
A Year Without Supermarkets
Alexander Residence
Alice’s Studio
Anecdotes of a Manic Mum
Clarina’s Contemplations
Crazy with Twins
Downs Side Up
Edspire
Frugal Queen
Just Bring the Chocolate
Mummy from the Heart
Mush Brained Ramblings
Our Life with Leukaemia
The Oliver’s Madhouse
The Real Supermum
Thinly Spread
Thank you so much to the team at BritMums for holding these awards and giving me the chance to glow with gratitude and pride … I think I’ll implode with happiness if I get to the final 6 … and if I don’t I’ll just continue to glow with pride and be thrilled for the incredible bloggers that do … there are some superb stories being told in that line up.
To vote click on the BiBs button below.
We’d really appreciate your vote for Mush Brained Ramblings in the ‘Inspire’ category
Right then, I have supper to make for a little girl and her grandmother who has been playing with her to give me time to write this.
Fingers crossed …
