I Survived

Either later tonight or tomorrow the participant graphic on the side of the blog will be replaced by this one, the survivor graphic, and the 2013 A to Z Challenge will pass into history.

What will remain? While the actual accomplishment of completing the challenge is terrific -- and I am delighted that I did it -- I most pleased about writing regularly. One of the reasons I first started this blog four years ago was to (re)find my voice as a writer. I have been writing as part of my job for over thirty five years. I consider myself a "pen for hire," and I have written for many people's signatures. Sometimes I have written for my own signature, but for the last nineteen years, even my own words have had a corporate voice. I have learned to be edited and I take no offense. But as the years went by I longed to find my own voice again, and have done it in Buttercupland. This year's Challenge kept me writing regularly and the discipline has been a great gift.

I am hopeful, too, that friends will remain. I have discovered some wonderful bloggers and enjoyed widening my circle of blogger friends all over the world. I am especially pleased to have found a group of writers and will be cheering on their writing successes. Thanks to the many bloggers who stopped by and visited and encouraged me throughout the Challenge. It was also fun to share the Challenge with some of my favorite blog buddies. I am very grateful to all who who were part of Blogging from A to Z 2013, especially those who organized this monumental effort.

The other, much less serious item that remains, is ending the post with a thought that includes the letter of the day. I found that a lot of fun, and now that we're finished with the Challenge I miss it. I'm going to go back to one of my favorites and wish everyone...

...an X-traordinary Tuesday!