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Monday, December 31, 2007

Almost Done

Tomorrow I will put out the Creme de la Creme list of 2007. I've been working on it all day and I just wrote the blurb for the final post that came in by the due date. I still need to lay out the list and create all the links--a feat that will probably take a few hours this afternoon or tomorrow morning. But I hope to also get to the posts that came in after that December 23rd deadline. And I hope that more posts come in starting tomorrow when people read the list and decide that they also want their blog represented.

I know I chose to create this list and I certainly wasn't hired for it, but it still is an honour to be in the position of putting this list together. I have spent the last few weeks laughing and crying and sitting silently in awe and interrupting Josh's work to read him various lines and sometimes full posts.

For some of you, these posts are one of the only reminders you have of a child lost and I handle those posts with the dignity and gravity of an actual child. I am honoured to get to hold those words; even just for a few minutes. For others, these posts are the containment of the ultimate celebration--the double lines or the long-awaited adoption or the child you never thought would arrive. And those too are just as important and cherished. I'm thankful that you passed them my way.

I feel silly being so emotional about a blog post, but I think you all understand what I mean. The Creme de la Creme is a yearbook of sorts--even if you've been in school all year, you still look forward to getting that book in May and reflecting on the year as a whole. In between all the words and pictures are the other stories--the bloggers who appear in the comments and the people who have slipped away from their stories and the friends that were made along the way.

And this list, for me, is an explanation. A counterbalance to the way infertility, pregnancy loss, and adoption are portrayed in the media. It is a greater version of reality. It is 133+ points-of-view. It is what I would hand another person if they wanted to understand the enormity of what is felt along the way--mostly because sometimes we need others to put into words what we couldn't and they need our thoughts as well.

Thank you for trusting me with your posts. Thank you for helping create this list. I can't wait for it to be finished and up for your reading pleasure.

Happy New Year.

16 comments:

Amy said...

Mel ~ I'm looking forward to reading the Creme de la Creme. I didn't submit a post...but am also humbled by the words my fellow IF bloggers share. Happy New Year to all...much love and peace for 2008.

Anonymous said...

Thank YOU for doing the list - honestly, I'm really touched to be a part of it...
Happy New Year as well !

loribeth said...

Ooh, I can't wait to get a big mug of tea & start reading tomorrow! Thank you, Mel, for doing this!

HereWeGoAJen said...

Thank you so much for spending all the time and energy on this for us. I really appreciate you.

Lindsey said...

I'm more of a lurker than anything on your site, but I just wanted to say happy new year, and thank you for all you do for the IF blogging community. You have always been such a wonderful writer, support and resource. Happy new beginnings!

Caba said...

Mel, you made me cry. There are so many new blogs I stumble across daily thanks to your site. So many amazing women and men that I never would have encountered if I hadn't come across your site. You're like the hub of all things IF. I know, it's what you always dreamed of being, right?

Anyway, thank you for compiling the list, and creating a "starting point" for so many people new to this blogging game. I look forward to reading all of the entries, and encountering new friends along the way. You continue to inspire me daily. Happy New Year to you and yours!

Meghan said...

I can not wait to see the list. I'm planning a day in my jammies, in bed with some hot chocolate and the Creme! What better way to ring in the new year

Thank you for taking the time to compile the list...and for all you do for our community

Anonymous said...

Is it too late to enter...you? Well you and me. The post where a infertile's common thoughts led to a movement: The Common Thread.

I have been reading blogs I have never read through your lists. They are so good, it almost makes me feel glad I had my fertility struggles so I am allowed in this club. What? I said almost!

Mel, you are remarkable. Happy Happy 2008 to you and all your many fans.

Your biggest fan, Paz

Natalie said...

Thx for always doing all this work!

SMiLeD said...

Mel, you ROCK, that's all I have to say! Thanks for everything that you do and helping to make 2007 a good year, I don't know that I would have survived those 2 first scary weeks of parenthood without your advice.

Lori Lavender Luz said...

I love the way you bring us together and bring out the best in us.

Thank YOU.

Monica Fayth said...

I'm looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts. Thanks for doing this!

Jess said...

Thank YOU, Mel, for doing this.

Stacie said...

Looking forward to reading the Creme de la Creme! Thank you for all of your hard work compiling the list. You are wonderful!

Anonymous said...

You are just brilliant & amazing. Only you could pull so many different points of view together and have it work like a stunning patchwork quilt.

I bow down to the Queen!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Mindy said...

Thank you!!! I still haven't had time to go through my stuff and submit, and now I'm more interested in reading all the other posts. Happy New Year to you and thanks for the enormous service you do helping to bring people in this community together everyday.