While you’re reading this, I’m on my way to help my son move into his first apartment as he begins his sophomore year of college. It’s not that he asked me to come. I invited myself, and he was too nice to say no. It’s also not that he needs my help. Daniel is very capable of doing anything I can do, and more; in fact I’m guessing that much of the time I’ll be in the way.
My agenda has little to do with the specifics of this trip and a lot to do with my own history. My mother died at 41, and missed every important event of my life, so that left me with a huge need to somehow recapture that loss with my own chilldren. I try to experience any milestone in their lives that they allow me to witness. Plus, this summer went way too fast, and I want to squeeze every last drop out of the time I have around Daniel.
While my attention will be occupied elsewhere, this means far less attention to blogging. A little withdrawal is maybe a good thing–I’ve been a little obsessed. This trip will be a good test run. I’m still committed to blog every day, and I know there will be other times like this, when I can’t. One way to solve this issue–now and in the future–is to do what other bloggers do: have a guest blogger.
It’s the perfect answer, but finding the perfect guest wasn’t going to be easy. It would be far easier for me to have a guest in my home than a guest on my blog. Although I am not picky about everything (such as having a clean desk, an orderly house, or the right wine with dinner) I AM picky about things involving writing. So any guest would have to meet my standards–in addition to having something worthwhile to say. Although I expect to get something worthwhile from my guest, my guest would get nothing worthwhile from me in return–since my blog is a non-profit operation. And despite all my specifications, since this is my first guest blogger, I would insist on someone really special.
So it seems like a tall order: seeking someone very special, someone who will not be paid, someone who can think and write well, someone willing to do this for me.
As I sit here describing my selection process, the world awaits the final word on another selection process: Barack Obama’s choice of a running mate. Unlike Obama, from the beginning I had a clear front-runner. And when I asked, my guest blogger immediately said yes. Which thrills me. Because aside from everything else I’ve already mentioned, so much of my blog is about life lessons. And my guest blogger has been the source, and often the teacher, of more lessons than almost anyone else in my life.
I could write an introduction, but even if I tried to do that, which I’m not, it would never scratch the surface. For background material, you could read a few of my blogs, which are listed and linked here: Learning Curve, What we Know About Love, Meet the Fockers.
So I am taking the day off tomorrow and in my spot will be a new voice. I only hope Obama makes as good a choice as I did. You won’t be disappointed when you read tomorrow’s post written by my first guest blogger, my daughter Alli.
Gail Reiss says
Can’t wait to read Alli’s blog …