Hi.
It’s me.
How are you? I hope you are well.
Six weeks have gone by since I last showed my face in these parts… Time melts away it seems.
I’m writing today to let you know that we are good. My three children, my husband and myself are all safe and unharmed by the things mentioned in my last post. But since I’m bringing it up, I just want to say that the story belongs to someone else, someone for whom I care deeply. It is a very personal, painful and private story, and out of respect, I will not be going into it here on the blog. I know you understand.
As you probably guessed, I kinda turned my back on the computer six weeks ago. I’ve mostly ignored it since then. In recent days, I’ve come back to it again. I’ve managed to read through each one of your heartfelt messages. I want you to know that I am so grateful for your kind and consoling notes, your many healing words, and your constant support. The ordeal has definitely changed something in me. It has left me more cautious, and sadly, more distant. But I am still here.
So I have decided to go on with the blog. I can’t walk away from it. I have invested too much of myself here and if I walked away it would feel like I was abandoning myself, let alone my work or you. So I will be continuing this journey but in a more limited way. What that will look like exactly, I’m not quite sure yet. But you know what they say, right? Only time will tell.
So glad to hear you're back. I'm so sorry you've suffered and someone you love has been wounded. Much love to all of you!
Thanks so much Melissa. I thought about you during the holidays. I hope all is well and you had a great one. 🙂
I'm pleased to see you haven't let the bad side "win" in this case. There is so much potential for both positive and negative influences on the internet, but I agree with you about caution being needed.
I have been thinking about that point alot. Letting the bad side win, I mean. I sometimes see the world in very much a black or white way. It's much more nuanced than that of course and something I really have to remember. Thanks Karen.
so glad you are back. you were missed and checked in upon regularly.
Thanks Consewvation, I'm glad to be back too. I'll be taking it slow however. We'll just have to see how that goes…
I thought about you on my way home tonight! Then I saw this email pop up and the title 6 weeks, and my first thought, was to delete the email because it was someone's pregnancy pictures! (not that pregnancy pictures aren't important!) Then I realized it was from Michele Made Me! I was like, wait, that's Michele!!! So no deleting anything!! I'm so glad you are back and can't wait to see where you go with this. And again, I'm sorry that any friend of yours was hurt by this machine! Missed you! Truly!
Hi there Louise, how are you? I thought about you this Christmas as well. I have no idea how things will go from here on in… Things might change or they may just go on as before. Who knows, right? I'm not much of a planner. I just kinda go with the flow, you know?
I'm glad you felt able to come back. Unfortunately, the internet has a bad side as well as a good side and sometimes it's impossible to ignore the bad side. I hope all will be well and that the person(s) who was injured will be able to recover from it. I look forward to more of your creativity.
Noreen
Crafty Journal
Thank you Noreen, I want my loved one to heal and be strong and themselves again soon too. I hope and pray for it constantly, and hope to somehow be part of that solution.
Welcome back Michele, is it only 6 weeks, it felt like a lifetime! I’m sorry someone you care for so much, got hurt.
The internet is as much a wonderful place as it is a dangerous one! We all need to be cautious!
Hi Nicolette. So nice to hear from you! Yes of course you're right about the internet's double-sidedness. There are wonderful things to be found here. For example, friends like you. 🙂
thanks, hugs and take care!
So glad you're back, even if it is in a new way. I've been thinking about you lots and hoping you've been able to get through whatever it is!
That's so sweet. Thanks for sending the good and strengthening thoughts. I know they made a difference and are part of the reason I'm back here.
I'm so sorry that this blackness has touched your life. We don't need the details. We do need to remember to monitor ourselves and those we love when we step into the cyber world.
Thank you for coming back 🙂
Amen to that! Monitoring is SO important. Especially where children are concerned. Important beyond words.
Dear Michelle — Am really so happy to see you back. 2013 was a year of significant loss for me and I, too, feel profoundly changed (Joni Mitchell's phrase "I really don't know life at all" runs a constant loop in my brain…) You are blessed to have children and a loving family to support you. And I want to thank you once again for your creative inspiration. Pam
I'm so sorry to hear that 2013 was a struggle for you Pam, and I hope that the new year brings healing and new hope to you. We'll see how things pan out around here. I'm taking it slowly for now, as I've said… Take care, eh?
Welcome back, Michele! I'm so glad you decided to return to your blog. I have been thinking of you and the ones that were affected by this situation, and hoping that time would heal the wounds. I think we all learned a lesson from this to be more cautious, especially with our children and the cyber world.
You know what Karen? I really have to touch base with you over email. So much time has gone by and I've let things slide and you were one of those things unfortunately. Forgive me for that.
I'm glad you're back! Wanted you to know that you inspired this:
http://sarahquilts.com/2014/01/10/friday-finish-sewing-room/
I would have linked to you in the post but I wanted to give you space. Thank you for the inspiration and I look forward to hearing what you've been working on.
Sarah, thank you so much for being thoughtful and giving me the space I obviously needed. And thanks for sending the link over. I will check that out ASAP. 🙂
Lovely to 'hear' your voice again : )
A hug for you and make sure you pass it on to whichever child might need a one ~
lyn
Hi Liniecat, thanks so much for the hugs. Send more over any time. 🙂
Hi Michele, I have only just caught up on what has been happening with you as somehow your blog got missed from my list of 'must read blogs' when I changed from Google reader to Feedly. I can only guess what has happened but am glad after a rest from this space you have managed to find the strength to come back to what you are passionate about and you haven't let one horrible experience beat you. Continue to be who you are Michele. You are in my prayers.
Thank you so much, Catherine, for the prayers and encouragement. At one point I truly thought I'd never come back. But life is strange. Time is a healer, I guess, and so, here I find myself again. 🙂
Lovely to see you back. I'm looking forward to more crafty goodness!
Thank you Mandalj. 🙂
My heart leaped when your post appeared in my reader. You have been missed and missed with an ache – knowing that you left us while you were in so much pain. Any part of you that you decide to share will be welcomed and cherished.
Thank you so much Pam. I'm glad to be here again, and will always remember your kindness and support. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and have an equally lovely 2014. 🙂
Welcome back!
Lovely to see you back.
Thanks Maya and Textile-Tally. It's good to be here again. 🙂
I'm glad you're back. I have missed your perspective on life.
I too, am so glad you're back. I was going to make the heart and nest/basket and decided to check again (have done that several times!!) to see if you had come back and was elated to see you have! YEAH! Helped make my day!
I'm glad to see you back, Michele, and look forward to any journey you design for yourself here going forward. As long as it's nourishing for you, it'll be an honor to witness.
I was waiting to see if you would come back. I do a yearly clean up on my favorites and I was hoping I would not have to delete you. Welcome back I missed you also. HUGS for the last 6 weeks and a prayer for your family if that is OK.
my goodness ~ i just checked today & i'm so glad you are back ♥
May 2014 be a good year for you and your family, Michele.