BlogHer09, depending on where you look and who you read, you might believe there were two different conferences going on at once.  I’m going to tell you about my experience at BlogHer.  I wasn’t sure what to think, feel or expect but, I packed my 5 outfits, shoes, hair straightener, makeup and my 200 bloggity ‘Monkey Cards’ (Monkey term) and set off for the land of Chicago and the great big Sheraton to hopefully mingle and connect with other people who ‘get it’.

My first experience brought tears to my eyes.  I ran into Loralee in the lobby, recognized her immediately, and tentatively walked up and said “Hi”  She looked at me with complete lack of recognition, I introduced myself and was immediately engulfed in the most ginormous hug and squeals.

That set the tone for my conference.

There were many times that I walked around the conference all by myself and walked up to people whom I thought I recognized or just wanted to say Hi to, there were times where that person was a “BIG DEAL BLOGGER” everyone whom I met was gracious and welcoming, funny and sweet and my head may never go down again from some of y’all telling me how gorgeous and darlin’ I am.  Bless y’all.

I can’t link to everyone, though I want too, because I will inevitably leave someone out.

But this is just the first of my BlogHer posts and in a way the most important.. what I took home with me from BlogHer is a full heart, amazing memories, new friends, stronger bonds with old friends, a lifetime worth of hugs and most significantly for me… I took home a renewed sense of why I blog, what I want from my blogging, and from myself.   I brought home confidence because of the people who told me, ” I love your recipes, you make cooking so easy.. Thank you, my family Thanks You” or “I love your stories about your family, your writing touches me, speaks to me, makes me laugh and realize that I’m not alone”

BlogHer09 gave me confidence, new direction and renewed enthusiasm, listening to others tell why they started blogging, why they continue blogging or what they gain from it.  My heart is overwhelmed.. I feel that my body was hugged but my soul and spirit… they were rejuvenated.  I can never thank Elisa, Lisa and Jory enough for giving this community a voice, a place to gather and learn from each other, to touch, to cry together in person instead of behind our computer screens, to hear the laughter that we’ve only imagined, and have it settle on our hearts and touch our souls.

Thank you for giving me a place that gave me the greatest gift of all:  Confidence in myself, a renewed heart and spirit and best of all.. my bloggy groove back.  I am eternally grateful.