What I Learned in June 2016: Lesson 1
6:00 AMHAI GUYS!
It's been a while. I've missed you all! *hugs all the lovely people* I regret to say that I am only coming back for a short post, and my posts will likely be pretty short until the end of the end of July. In the meantime, I've learned sooooo much in June, I need to write multiple posts to try to capture what I can of it all.
In short, the month of June was 193482039481409 times more crazy than I'd given it credit to be. I did not have a single day where I didn't have something going on somewhere, and I didn't have any time to take a breath and say hello to all you lovely stalkers people.
The first week of June I had a lovely day camp with my church. Our theme was, "I Am Mine No More" and it was lovely and beautiful and encouraging and eye opening. It ended on Wednesday, and then I had a babysitting job and lots of packing for the workshop to do.
And THEN.
Here's the first big thing that happened guys.
And I've got to tell the story dramatically because I AM A WRITER, OKAY? Okay. Thank you for understanding.
You see, my friends surprised me before I left for Minnesota. On Friday, June 10th, I received a text from one of my writer friends that lives near me. She told me she had a gift for me and asked if she could come by my house and give it to me.
As I've said, I have a big family. When we are getting ready for a vacation, the house is C R A Z Y. And we were leaving the very next day for a nine day vacation, so I saw the text and was kind of like, "ummmmmmmmmm."
I asked if I could meet her in town after work instead, and she agreed. I met her outside our local coffee shop. I went to her car door and opened it and she had this big box in her lap.
I was really surprised. At this point, I'd been thinking she probably got me a journal or a book or something. But this was way too big. And when she handed it over, it was heavy.
At this point, I was really bewildered. I just kept thinking, What on earth?
She handed me a card. "Read this first," she said. "It will explain everything."
I opened the card.
Inside were the names of twelve of my online friends. And as soon as I saw those names, I realized what must be in the box. But how? How could they do this for me? And why?
And as soon as I saw the dell logo, I knew for sure.
For some reason that I can hardly fathom, twelve of my online friends had gotten together and bought me a laptop.
I cannot begin to explain how much this means to me. I am still reeling in shock. I do not deserve this gift, and yet it has been given to me.
I am so, so thankful to everyone who pitched in and helped make this happen. Not only did they give me a laptop (which I am using to write this post, by the way), but I have been given so much more. They taught me something I could not learn on my own.
This post is already getting long, so I'm going to wrap up with this first lesson I learned this June.
Writing is a lonely business. It's sad and scary and stressful. Few people understand exactly what we're doing, and even fewer can understand the pain that it causes us.
To realize that I was not alone - and for a really strange reason, I felt this way - to realize that there were people out there who believed in me enough to make this happen for me and give me this amazing gift, was a huge relief and encouragement to me.
I had felt so alone, but I wasn't. There were so many people out there who believed in me, and there still are. I was just blinded by my own stupidity and low self esteem.
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| See me? That's me. Holding a laptop. I HAVE A LAPTOP, GUYS. |
Never be fooled into thinking you are alone. This is one of the worst lies you could ever hold. Don't let it get to you. There are lots of writers out there, and we writers are crazy amazing and encouraging. Even if you don't have many writing friends, make some! There are tons of people out there who you can reach out to. People out there who believe in you, even if they don't know you very personally.
Because some of these people I don't even know that well. One of them I'd never even talked to. I'd just seen her around the Go Teen Writer's Facebook group. Yet she was willing to help make this happen for me.
People can be so good. And writers, especially, are an amazing group of people.
Make writer friends and stick with them. Lean on them.
You are not alone.
22 comments
That's so amazing! It's so great to have a group of friends like that! I have a writing group on Hangouts and we're so encouraging, it makes me feel 68412 about my writing.
ReplyDeleteI missed your posts! I was actually read one yesterday and drinking coffee and linked coffee to Stan and then I was like, "She hasn't posted, awww." Thank you for this one!
awwww *hugs* this makes me happy! I'm so glad you like Stan! I will hopefully not disappear completely again. XP
DeleteWow that's so awesome! They're all so amazing and kind to do something like that. XD I do have a couple writing friends, and it's great to have people that 'get' writing and support you. Wonderful post! <3
ReplyDeleteRight? Having writing buddies is soooo important and encouraging. :D
DeleteHAIIIII! I missed you, fren. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteWow, crazy months can be really stressful. xP
BUT OH WOW. That is amazing and so, so, meaningful, I'm sure. o.o Had you mentioned that you needed a laptop? Friends are really awesome, aren't they. <3
*hugs* YES CRAZY MONTHS ARE SO STRESSFUL BUT AHHH. It was the best kind of crazy. I am so blessed.
DeleteI had complained about not having a laptop probably a little more than I should have ... *embarrassed smile* but I had absolutely NO IDEA they were planning this. The girl who organized it said she started it because I couldn't war one night since my mom was on the only computer, and she contacted one of my friends (the one that actually gave me the laptop) and asked if I had one. When she realized I didn't, she said, "We've got to fix this." And so they did! *grins broadly* Again, I am just sooooo blessed. AHH.
FREAKING AWESOMEEEE.
ReplyDeleteWoah. I can't believe it... people can be... nice?
Okay, okay hahaha. Faith in humanity has been restored. Kinda. A little bit.
I do have writing friends. Some from Wattpad, others from here.
That's exactly what my mom said XP If you have Facebook, you should join the Go Teen Writers group. That's where I've made all my internet writing friends. I've met a few people over blogger, but it's hard to really talk to people here. Facebook messenger has been such a blessing. Everyone who pitched in on the laptop (except for the writing friend that lives near me, since I've known her for a long time) I met in that group. You should definitely join! <3
DeleteI don't have Facebook, though :'/
DeleteCan you get onnnne? It's totally worth it. I had a friend who got one just so she could join. She only gets on for that!
DeleteThat is SO awesome! I am a new follower here, and I love reading all of your posts! This was awesome! June was a super busy month for me as well. I also had something going on every day, and my blog was sadly neglected for a month. *wails*
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! So happy for you! Keep up the good work! :) <3
~Megan <333
(megans-journals.blogspot.com)
Ahw I feel yah. *pats* Stan is happy to be active again! XP I'm so glad you found him!
DeleteThank you so much! (I love your blog!! *heart eyes*)
I missed you Hannahhhh <3 So glad to see you once again blogging. The laptop is so great, now you can write loads more and it'll all be awesome, yeah? <3
ReplyDeleteYASSSSSSSSS *flails and squeals*
DeleteI'M SO SO GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO DO THIS FOR YOU. <3 <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteyou are a lovely person.
YOUUUUU are a lovely person you wonderful bean, you. <3 <3 <3 I still can't believe how awesome you guys are. *shakes head wonderingly* I am soooooo so blessed!
DeleteI HAVE MISSED YOU SO MUCH HANNAH! I kept checking back on your blog every few days or so to see if you posted but no worries, I'm really glad you enjoyed this past month.
ReplyDeleteAHHH YOU HAVE A LAPTOP! What is its name? You must name it. :P
That's soooo great! I don't really have writer friends which makes me freak when I think about beta reading and critiquing, but that's a long way down the road. Still, it makes me so happy you have found an awesome group of friends who support you with your writing.
awwwwwww that makes me happy! I will hopefully not disappear again ;)
DeleteYESSSSYESYES I DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AHHHHHHHHH. Ehem. Her name is Natasha because she is sleek and black and kick butt-y.
Can you get a Facebook? That's the place to be for a writer. Truly. Or maybe you could find friends just hanging out on the GTW blog! But Facebook is my favorite because of messenger. And the comments don't take so long to go through.
Oh my goodness, that's INCREDIBLE, Hannah! You have awesome friends :D. And having writer-ly friends is the best *nods*. Don't know what I'd do without mine!
ReplyDeleteRight??? *hugs all the writer peoples to self and beams*
DeleteThat is awesome! I'm so happy for you, online friends are a real blessing.
ReplyDeleteAren't they though? :D
DeleteComments bring us happiness and warm fuzzies, so please share your thoughts! Stan and I want everyone to be welcome, so we ask that you be kind and courteous and use nice language.