Every once in a while, I have one of those weeks where my personal life gets in the way of my Bloom life. This is one of those weeks. Oh, I know how to separate my personal life from my work life just like you. But every now and again, I let them cross over.
This week, my oldest is packing up to start a new life, taking with her the best of hopes and wishes for a bright, bright future and new beginnings. My son will be graduating from college soon, and my youngest will turn eighteen in only a few more days, having already graduated from high school—all proud and wonderful things for any parent. And yet, chapters are closing. Of course, new ones can begin, and it’s all right; it’s a balanced and healthy part of growing up. These are the beautiful moments of life meant to be savored because very soon, they will be things to look back on and not to look forward to, as new milestones are already replacing them.
And yet, some things remain, and this is where you come in, my friends. The Bloom has undergone numerous changes this year due to the influx and ebb of advertising. At one point, I had to let the calendars go and feared the worst for The Bloom. But my fears were not realized, and that is largely because of you! How? Well, your generous donations have made the greatest impact for The Bloom. You may not see how your $5 or even $50 or $100 can make a difference, but I can. I see it every week and am humbled by your generosity. Oh, The Bloom still has advertising campaigns that will inevitably come and go, but in the end, it has always boiled down to your donations.
So I want to pause for just a moment to honor those chapters in our lives that close so that new ones can begin again. Thank you for keeping this chapter–The Bloom chapter–going. There is no greater joy for me than to do, explore, and discover new, bright, and beautiful things and then to have the honor to share them with you, my friends. And thank you for also helping the writers in our community to have a voice and a platform to share their beauty, and for all the good community news! Cheers!!!!
