A Letter To You
Dear You,
Apologies for the slightly unconventional way of writing to you. I thought it the best way to get my thoughts down and the things I wanted to say as I do feel slightly awkward.
I love that you read my blog. I started it over a year ago but I don’t know when you came across it. I love too that you’ve commented. It was my love of writing and the want to engage that inspired me to start and I’m so glad I did.
My children are growing. They’re are nearly ready to go make their own lives. Of course, I regret not having started writing the memories sooner but what I’ve written will stay with me and will always be there now for me to look back on. Would I have been able to recall these memories without having written them? I very much doubt it. I know that most of my readers love to write too. I urge you to write from the heart, the words you want to read. Don’t let those memories go. They are special and they can carry on being special and not forgotten if we write. We leave something for our children too.
When I started this blog, there was a lot of humour. I’ve surprised myself how my writing has evolved. I guess that sometimes raising children isn’t always funny and perhaps sometimes they have deserved for me to write more earnestly. Which leads me on to the news I wanted to share. I’ve made it as a finalist for the Brilliance in Blogging awards 2017 in the family category. This is such a huge deal for me.
I’m shocked but also so honoured. I guess if I’m really honest, proud. Not proud of myself but proud of my children and my family for having let me write so openly about them, to share their stories, to let me put on paper the feelings I have inside that are sometimes so difficult to say aloud. I’m hoping by sharing my stories it will help those with smalls embrace the teenage years with a little more insight.
Now for the hardest part because I’m not great at this but the link for voting is here and the closing date for votes is the 2nd July. It would, of course, mean the world to me, though I honestly feel like I’ve won already just to have made it this far so thank you if you nominated me, I’m buzzing!
All the thanks,
just saying mum xx
xx
So deserved lovely lady!!
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Thank you, Louise, so much xx
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Ahh well done Helen you should be proud of yourself! You’ve worked so hard and done brilliantly with your blog in such a short space of time. Best of luck with the BiBs, I’ll click through now and vote for you! Xx
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Charlie, thank you so much and if you’re at BML I’ll be buying you a drink for sure!! xx
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Congratulations Helen! Well deserved and best of luck at the BiBs! Xxxx
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Oh, Min, thank you! Will you be at BML? xx
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Congratulations! I’ve only been following you for a very short time so I don’t think I particularly deserve all those kind words! But I have to say that you are one the VERY few mummy bloggers I follow as I like your voice- it’s heartfelt, kind and positive- very different to lots of others. I am aiming to be myself in my blog and conform to no type, so thanks for your lovely posts and I’ll give you a a vote 😊
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Thank you so much for such a lovely comment and for your very kind words. It’s funny how my writing has changed though as I started off with humour but actually enjoyed writing the heartfelt posts more so your comment means a lot xx oh and thank you just so much for the vote xx
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You’re welcome 😊 I only say what I mean. I think a lot of people, especially mum bloggers, get caught up in being humourous and sarcastic etc which is fab but sometimes it comes at the expense of a smidgen of emotion, empathy and humilty, which for me, is a must when taking the time to read blogs. Funny amd sarcy are great but give me a bit of heart! Good luck 😊
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Thank you xx I think sometimes we all need that humour but also need the balance of appreciating that it isn’t always funny xx
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You definitely devserve to be a finalist and I have already voted for you. X
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Thank you so so much! You too my lovely xx
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Gorgeous blog post. You’ve put it into words so well. You know you have my vote!!! .
Sent from my iPhone
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Hi Helen,
Huge congratulations! You have my vote 🍾. Gemma Xx
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Oh Gemma thank you!! So kind of you! Was such a shock! xx
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so well deserved, and you should be proud of yourself too! Your blog is such a great place for us to come, so thank you!!! Good luck lovely xx
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Oh thank you so much, Mackenzie. That really does mean a lot coming from you xx
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Aaaw well done .Huge congratulations!! Lovely to see a blog about slightly older children getting a mention #postsfromtheheart
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Oh thank you so much! Am so shocked!
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You should be so proud of yourself, you deserve nothing less!:)
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That is so kind of you! Thank you xx
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Wonderful post, inspiring to me as a new blogger, well done, honestly! Good luck! #postsfromtheheart
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Oh thank you so so much. Crazy as I still feel quite new! xx hope you’re enjoying the blogging xx
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What an achievement and good luck. #PostsFromTheHeart
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Thank you just so much xx
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What a lovely letter. Seriously good luck. You 100% deserve to win, I adore your blog (but you know that!) You have my vote X
#BigPinkLink
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Oh Kirsty thank you so much my lovely xx
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Ahh I had a little tear as your words resonate with me, Helen. I too wished I had started when mine were younger…..anyway, lovely letter and voted! Good luck. #bigpinklink
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Oh I just feel so frustrated as so many lost memories but looking at the positive how lovely we started at all! Thank you so much for your vote – means so so much xx
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That’s brilliant! Well done you, so well deserved! Am voting now. Love proud sister! xx
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eeeek! Thank you so so much!! xxx
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Your writing is incredible Helen. So we’ll deserved and I have everything crossed for you xx
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Oh, Dawn, that’s so so kind of you. Thank you. I feel like I’ve won already just having made it as a finalist. Hopefully see you at BML? xx
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Oh yes definitely! It’ll be amazing to meet you! Looking forward to it already and I’ll shaking my pom poms for you! xx
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Oh yay! That’s fantastic xxx
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I just wanted to wish you all the best Helen, it’s a real honour to be in a category with so many talented bloggers. I think we’re all winners! See you on the night for a stiff drink 😉 xx
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Oh Amy that really is so kind of you. I wish you all the very best too. I’m shocked to be in a category with you and for that reason feel like I’ve won having just made it as a finalist with you! Oh and absolutely to the drink in September xx
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Oh fantastic – well done you, I’ll pop over and vote xx
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Oh thank you so much – so very kind of you xxx
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Hi Helen, this is so well deserved, congratulations! Do be proud of yourself. We will be here cheering you on. #DreamTeam xx
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Oh that’s so kind of you. Thank you so much. Means a lot xx
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Such fabulous news Helen. Well done my love. I will be cheering you on from the parenting teenager corner and look forward to raising a glass to your success tomorrow! #TweensTeensBeyond
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Oh thank you so so much! Still shocked! Oh and yay to the raising a glass tomorrow – can’t wait! xx
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You should definitely be proud of yourself too. As you know, I’m a big fan of your blog and I am so excited that you are a finalist! I had no idea that your blog is just over a year old, though (same as mine) – you seem like such a pro already. One of the best in my book! #dreamteam
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Oh Lucy thank you! I’m still so shocked and just to have made it this far I feel like I have won! Thank you for your gorgeous support. It means a lot xx
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congrats! Its always weird to look back at some of my first posts and see how different they are from where my style developed into. Very well deserved, congrats again. #TTB
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Oh isn’t it strange? I remember reading somewhere once that when you start blogging just keep writing and you will eventually find your real style – so true! Thank you so much for your comment!
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My vote is in! You’re amazing and deserve this! xx
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Oh that is so very kind of you! Thank you so so much xx
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Congrats on your nomination – it’s well deserved! I’ve loved watching your blog evolve and reading about what’s to come in the teen years. #FamilyFun
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Thank you so much Katie. Still feels surreal!
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Great post. Each and every sentence is awesome. Loved and enjoyed reading it 🙂
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Oh thank you! That’s so kind of you to say! Made my day!
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Well done and congratulations! You can tell a lot about a person from their writing, and you come across as a lovely, giving person. Certainly the comments you write on my blog are always very generous and kind. It’s important that we bloggers support each other. I’ll keep everything crossed for you; may you and your blog go from strength to strength xx #TweensTeensBeyond
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Oh that is so very kind of you. I’ve been blown away by the support and am just so grateful that those who read my blogs are just so so kind xx thank you xx
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I voted for you 😉
I love your writing – so heartfelt, so honest, so moving. Your post Pushing Adulthood Away is one of those pieces that will stay with me forever. Just thinking about your words still brings tears to my eyes.
So the nomination is amply deserved. And I’ll be crossing fingers and toes for you to win too.
#FamilyFunLinky
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Oh my word, his is such a kind comment and it’s comments like this that feel like I’ve won already because to have someone write so kindly means the world – thank you xx
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Aaah, I love the way you’ve written this Helen!! With the warmth, humility and heart we have come to expect from you! I am so ridiculously pleased for you, I can’t even put it into words! Your kindness and your blog mean a lot to a lot of people. GOOD LUCK!! Xxxx
#bigpinklink
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Awww, Lucy, thank you so much! You’re such a gorgeous gorgeous person for writing such a beautiful comment. Thank you!! xx
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It’s so well deserved that you’ve made the finals – I love your blog – heartfelt and honest. I am hoping we can hang out at the awards as I amazingly have made it as a finalist for the Fresh Voice category – like you, I feel I’ve already won by making it this far as I never expected that. We can share a few glasses of fizz I hope whatever the outcome! Good luck xx #postsfromtheheart
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Oh huge congratulations to you! Oh and yay to the sharing a few glasses of fizz!! xx
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Already voted for you! Very well deserved recognition! You have made me laugh; you have made me cry; you have made me reflect on life. You are a fabulous writer! I have my fingers crossed for you to win x
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Oh Laura thank you lovely! So kind of you. It really is comments like this that keep me writing and mean so much xx
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#dreamteam i guess faces change, hair changes, people change and so it makes sense our words do. best of luck with your nomination and more importantly family life x
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Thank you!
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Congrats on the nomination and I’m heading over to vote now! Also, lovely post. It’s definitely important to write from the heart. I hope we all treasure reading back through our blogs in years to come xx #FamiylFunLinky
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Ooops, #FamilyFunLinky
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Oh that really does mean so so much. Thank you for your support xx
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Well done Helen, I’m so thrilled for you that you’ve been nominated and it’s so well deserved. Are you sure that you only started your blog just over a year ago?! It feels like you’ve been around on the blogging circuit for a lot longer! Good luck, I’ll be voting for you. xx
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Cheryl thank you so much – really does mean just so much xx
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Just popping back from #ablogginggoodtime – good luck!
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Well done you! It’s been well deserved. Good luck xx #coolmumclub
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Oh that’s so kind of you to say! Thank you xx
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Aw really well done to you on the nomination, you have every right to give yourself a jolly big pat on the back. Keep up the good work #coolmumclub x
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Ha ha not sure about that but thank you!
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Congrats on making the finals!
#coolmumclub
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Thank you!!
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so proud of how far you’ve come, congratulations on your nomination #fortheloveofBLOG
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That is just so so kind of you to say. I’ve been blown away by the support and just to have got this far has encouraged me just to keep writing so thank you so much for all of your support xx
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You so deserve this! Good luck lovely 💙
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Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime 🎉
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Oh Catie thank you!! Just to have made it here feels like winning! xxxxxxxxx
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Well done on being nominated. #DreamTeam
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Thank you so so much xx
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Undoubtedly one of my favourite bloggers – this finalist place is so deserved Helen. You are one of the nicest people I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know through blogging and your words, creativity and stunning photography inspire me continuously. All the very best of luck! x Thanks for sharing with #coolmumclub
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Awwwww thank you so much for the most gorgeous comment and for all of your support. #coolmumclub was my first ever linky when I started blogging and I can’t thank you enough for your gorgeous kind words – thank you xxxxxxx
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Oh Helen I am so so pleased for you! I must say when it comes to the awards thing I seem to retreat into my quiet corner of reality and keep my head down, I am not too sure why really. It kind of happened this year without much hooha, or so it seemed. However your nomination is certainly so well deserved, you know I am a big fan of your blog (and insta for that matter).Your love, positivity and kindness always shines through. I truly hope hope you win. I would love to come to the awards but I think we are away – must go check that. Once again huge congratulations I really am so happy to see your name up there, lots of luck lovey xx Thank your for joining us at #familyfun
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Sarah, thank you! You’ve always been so supportive of my blog and I’m so appreciative of that and I really hope to get to meet you at the awards xx
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Congrats Helen, your blog is brilliant and you totally deserve this. Good luck with the award lovely xx #postsfromtheheart
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Thank you just so so much! xx
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Such a lovely letter, Helen. I voted for you and wish you all the very best in your category.
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Oh thank you from the bottom of my heart! You’ve always been such a supportive follower of my blog and it means a lot xx
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Congratulations, this is very well deserved. It goes without saying that you have my vote x
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Oh you are so kind and I can’t thank you enough for all of your support with my blog – it means so much xx
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Oh Helen I am totally delighted that you have been nominated it is very well deserved. You have a unique and authentic voice in your writing and your lovely character shines through. I am one of your biggest fans my lovely! I wish you all the luck in the world and I am heading off right this minute to vote. xxxx #TweensTeensBeyond
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Sharon, thank you so much! Your support is so so appreciated and I can’t thank you enough. I feel like I’ve won just to have got to this stage xx
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Such a delight to see you among the finalists. Made sure to get my voting in last night before closing time. Do well my lovely – it is certainly well deserved. #tweensteensbeyond
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Oh thank you just so so much! Just feels great to have made it to this stage. Will I see you at BML? xx
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You cool classy ‘bird’ lol. The rest of us scream I’m a Finalist in our titlle lest anyone miss it and you just go with 2 words that are the best red herring ever. Be my mentor! You know I voted for you (well at least once I went back after realising I hadn’t clicked ‘submit my votes’ and nearly gave myself a heart attack at my near failed voting!) I’m truly hoping you win as we need someone of your talent and fresh approach to do so #bigpinklink
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ha ha – you know me too well. I almost didn’t do a post at all as really not me but I’m pleased I did. Thank you for your gorgeous vote of confidence my lovely xx I honestly feel like I’ve won to have made it to this stage – best feeling xx oh and all the congrats to you too my lovely xx
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Wishing you loads of luck 🙂 Teenagers should just come with a prize on their own #PostsFromTheHeart
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ha ha ha they really should!! Thank you lovely xx
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So lovely to read this Helen, and when I read the title I thought that this was going to be one of your posts that bought me to tears. Wishing you all the luck with the awards, I’ve got my fingers crossed for you. Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
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Aww thank you so so much Claire xx
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