Friday, November 14, 2008

In Real Life

This week it was announced that the next BlogHer conference would be in Chicago and the theme of BlogHer '09 is "In Real Life." Consider me there.

I have found myself saying "in real life" a lot in this past year or so of blogging. In my "online life" my children have different names, my avatar picture always looks perfect, and I have amazing online friends that I very honestly probably wouldn't have ever approached to befriend in real life.

I can not imagine my self, in real life, approaching a sassy edgy single mother on the streets or starting a conversation with a graceful Southern belle or even enjoying a cup of tea in San Francisco with a sweet 50 year old mother. I probably would have never found anything in common with a Harvard educated martial arts father or the brilliant Canadian screen writer turned mother and even the Mormon college student with a Dachshund. Sitting here in Cleveland, I would never had the chance to meet incredible firecrackers from Australia or mothers living abroad in India with their beautiful families or sweet single college students that read mommy blogs. And, hello, person from the Faroe Islands that has visited Classy Chaos 109 times... I googled your country and it is beyond breathtaking and I am curious if you live in one of those beautiful grass roof houses. Please de-lurk. If you don't speak bloggish that means please say hello my Faroe Island friend. Or you from Trinidad. I'm waving HELLO.

However. Sometime ago, on this journey of mine, my real life and online life merged and became my life.

This week my amazing real life online friends physically called me on the telephone, left me wonderful comments, wrote me emails of support, exchanged stories from their childhood, left me witty twitter messages, and sent tons of moral support that helped me through Lola's operation.

My modern day life, of hanging out my laundry to dry every day and leaving it out for you to absorb, has given me so much to be grateful for. I can't imagine going through motherhood alone.

In real life, as I was reading some touching emails, the door bell rang and a friend dropped off a box of Popsicles tied with a big pink bow. Later on my phone rang and another friend offered her loving support while my comment box was filling up.

This is my life. And I am lucky to have so many wonderful friends.

Lola's operation on Thursday went great. The nurses wanted to take her home for she was being a perfect patient. At home she was a perfect middle child patient. It hurt me so much to see my daughter in physical pain. Her swollen face, sunken eyes, lifeless body, and sore throat begged to be held. "I can hear my voice, Mama." She whispered to me as I dragged her queen sized mattress down the stairs and into the family room where she could watch movies with me and cuddle. "Mama, you are talking so loud." I can only imagine what things must be like for her now. "Oh man, I can hear the dog barking and the baby crying and everything is so LOUD." She told me as the phone rang with her preschool teacher on the other line.

At the end of the day, after two bowls of ice cream, three Popsicles, two yogurts, one jello, three chocolate chip cookies, and one slice of yummy bread she turned to me and whispered, "Staying at home is boooooorrrring. Can I go to school tomorrow?"

She is fine. I am fine. Thank you all for being a part of our real life.

101classy comments:

Manager Mom said...

I am so relieved for all of you. It's amazing how resilient kids can be...and how much mothers can beat themselves up over things that aren't their fault.

You are a good mom, and Lola is a lovely girl with a bright future of music and laughter and singing.

Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] said...

So SO glad she's OK. We're all here holding up your pedestal and putting out our shoulders for you.

Anonymous said...

SO glad that she's healing so quickly. What a relief!

Momo Fali said...

I'm so glad everything went well and that she can hear! I remember walking outside the morning after my son got tubes and a bird chirped. My son said, "What's that sound?" I mean, he had never heard a bird! He was four! Of course, he didn't hear much other than me blubbering after that! I could NOT stop crying.

I have to say, after having gone through eight surgeries with my son, that I wish I had been a blogger at the time of those operations. During his recent illness, when we thought he'd end up in the hospital again, I could not believe the support I got. It was amazing and so, so wonderful.

Don Mills Diva said...

I'm so glad she's doing well - not that I had any doubts - she's a firecracker that one!

Rachel said...

Oh Darling!! I'm so glad that she's doing so well. Bless her beautiful sweet little heart. And yours.

You are wonderful and she is lucky. Go and enjoy all those firsts and new things with her.

love ya

Mr Lady said...

*relief*

I am so glad she's good, and of COURSE she's rocking it. She's just like her momma, that one.

MommyTime said...

"I can hear my voice, Mama." I am bawling. I am so glad she's doing fine, and so much better than fine. How wonderful. Love to you all.

Caroline C. Bingham said...

Ah! what a sweet girl! I'm so happy she can hear again!

Kelly said...

First of all, I am so glad the surgery is over and she is doing great. I about cried when she said she could hear her own voice. Bless her little heart.

Second, BlogHer in Chicago?? Realistically I live close enough to go. But I'm so much shyer in real life than in blogland. Could I really travel up there all by myself?? Yikes. But to meet all these awesome ladies---priceless!

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear it and dude, that is one beautiful kid...

Unknown said...

I am so happy that she is ok and can HEAR! How wonderful! Wishing her a speedy recovery! I wanted to call you but didn't want to be a bother since I am sure you are super busy. Call me anytime if you like... I am here for you :)

Kocham Was!
XOXO

Tyne said...

How great that she is doing well and recovering from her surgery. I am so glad that she has a new, clear perception on the world.

By the way, it is such a joy to be a part of your real life. Your real life resonates in my heart and home!

Lisa said...

I have believed since you first wrote of this that every thing would turn out well and she would be just fine. I am so glad to know that she is. I have a feeling that nothing could ever keep that girl down!

Crystal D said...

Oh her sweet little face, I bet this is a really loud world she is living in now. I am so happy she is home and feeling better.

Mom said...

I was thinking about you today, So happy all went well.

Danielle said...

She is the sweetest little patient ever!

So glad everything went well and that her hearing is back! So wonderful!!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Glad to hear it all went so well...she is such a sweet little girl!!

Now you can rest easy...it is all over!

Enjoy your weekend!

Lisa

AutoSysGene said...

I'm so glad to hear that Lola is now HEARING!

When I was her age I had the same operation and it worked for me, too.

Enjoy your snuggling time...I'm sure Lola will.

MarĂ­a said...

I'm so glad she did well P!

Melisa Wells said...

Glad everything went well! Great news!

Irene said...

I am so happy little Lola is fine and eating like a champ! And what an amazing thing to finally hear all she has been missing.

My husband has a cousin who is deaf. But she wasn't always deaf. They think she had severe ear infections as a child that resulted in her hearing loss. Unfortunately, it was either undetected or uncorrectable. Sadly, she never recovered. She does hear a bit and she reads so well that someone who doesn't know she is deaf would think she can hear.

Anyway, I am happy to hear Lola is so quickly enjoying her new world!!!

Irene said...

Oops, I meant "she reads LIPS so well".

Hard to type with my wiggly Caroline on my lap!

Unknown said...

Oh what a sweet sweetie!!!

I am glad to hear that things went fine and that she is ready to go back to school! How wonderfullyl positive.

And if you really drug that QUEEN size mattress down the stairs you are the BEST Mommy EVER!

Gretchen said...

Those words, to hear that Lola can HEAR things, must have been music to your ear. I guess we all take for granted that we can hear the phone, the dog, even our own voice. She is blessed to have YOU for a mom.

Kj said...

Oh good! I am so thrilled she is back with you, safe and sound and hearing well.

I have been thinking of you and Lola and appreciate the update.

Yeah for little ones, and yeah for all the love in "real life".

K

Lisa said...

I am so out of it - just sending out prayers for the surgery and it's already over?!? Don't you wish it would have been that easy on you?!?

So glad that it went well. And so glad that she can now hear all of the love you send her way....she could always see and feel it!

Kat said...

Oh hooray!!! I'm so glad she is doing so well. What a little trooper!!!!

I WANT TO GO TO BLOGHER. Chicago is only 2 and a half hours from me. I'd BETTER be able to go!!!!

Stephanie said...

You are oh so welcome!
I'm so glad to hear things went well with the procedure! I wonder how long she is going to play the "operation" card! ;) She sure loved to talk about it before!
Glad to hear she is feeling well! (adn you too!_

Chelsea said...

Oh so happy. How amazing for her.

Jeni said...

So glad all went well for her -and for you then too! As someone else mentioned, kids are really resilient -just like some good elastic, ya know.
My little grandson Kurtis, had tubes put in his ears last January -had no recovery problems whatsoever. This past September when he had tonsils and adenoids removed, things didn't go quite as smoothly. They kept him in the hospital for about 36 hours after the surgery and after he came home, he was trying to drink, even to eat a little bit for the first two days and then, suddenly he stopped trying to drink! Would not take any liquid no milk, juice, water -nothing! So he had to go back into the hospital and was there for almost three days -2 days before he started trying to drink again! And his mother had to stay with him the entire time he was there too! She said she felt like she was a prisoner in her son's hospital room!
Peace.

Stephanie said...

that is such great news. You'll have to do some kind of fun sound scavenger hunt for her to do as a celebration. Hugs to you both.

Val said...

Is it wierd that this post brought me to tears?
I'm so glad she is doing fine. I hope the pain isn't too bad, I hate to see little ones in pain, you never know really how bad it is. But I don't think they complain as much as adults do.
I kind of had to giggle at the everything is too loud. My husband's cousin was born deaf and as an early 20's adult he got the cochlear implant so he could hear. At first he would always just turn it off because he couldn't stand all the "noise".

Anonymous said...

Oh I wanted to email you so badly this morning! But all I could think about was "She has so much on her mind. Leave her alone." I know that I am fairly new to reading your blog, but I love it! And being a mother, it has just made me have so much more compassion for others. So I feel like I know you in the sense that I want to offer you and your family so many well wishes. Yippee that all is well!

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

SO glad to hear that. She's still adorable - even when in recovery. ;-)

Parker said...

I just started blogging and your post really makes it sound great - who doesn't want to meet new people? I'm glad your daughter is doing well. My 9 year old had kidney stone surgery this past year and I learned that even "common outpatient" surgeries are scary when the patient is your kid.

Zoeyjane said...

You'll have to watch the sailor cursing and screaming at the top of your lungs from now on ;)

Can I please be the sassy edgy single mother?

Miss said...

*sigh* I'm so happy she can hear herself. What a beautiful thing.

As for this whole IRL stuff... well you all are as big a part of my real life as my real life is. That line blurred quite some time ago.

Love you mama.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Oh wow, isn't that so touching that she's hearing well for the first time in so long. I'm so glad she's doing well!

the planet of janet said...

oh, i'm soooo glad! wonderful news!

carrie said...

Well, thank you for sharing this wonderful, supportive community with all of us!

I am so happy that Lola's surgery went well and I hope she continues to recover beautifully! Bring on the pop-a-sicles! :)

Anonymous said...

That just made me cry. Poor Lola, all this time she was struggling to hear, it makes me so sad. I am so happy it will be easier for her. I love her so much.

Jill said...

I'm so bummed I didn't get a chance to stop by here yesterday and send in my good wishes.

I'm thrilled to hear that all went well with her surgery... amazing how resilient these little creatures are!!

Here's hoping you have a wonderful weekend!!

Chiloe said...

Glad she's fine ;) I know how it feel when you see your own child suffering: I fell the same when my oldest son had leukemia ;-)

Anonymous said...

OHM you are talking too loud :) So sweet and so glad she can hear the babies crying.

What a great start to the weekend! Enjoy it .. in all of its loudness!

Unknown said...

Wonderful news. I'm glad everything went so well and sweet Lola is on the mend.
If I can do Blogger 09 on the cheap, I am sooo there and looking orward to meeting you "in real life"

MichelleB said...

Glad Lola is ok. I can't believe I missed blogher in Chicago. I just recently had a girls night out with some of the SAHM bloggers I know.

I got all dressed up in my new chic outfit and my gorgeous diamond necklace my hubby bought me from www.idonowidont.com and we enjoyed margaritas and talked about our real lives offline.

Chickadee said...

It helps to go through yucky stuff when you know you have friends on your side. I'm so glad to hear that Lola is on the mend. "Staying home is so booooring"? Love it. I hear ya, sister. Rock on, Chickadee.

kim-d said...

Oh, just look at her in that picture! Even after her OPERATION, she is a beautiful little girl. And her spirit and tenacity; you go, Lola! I am so, so happy that everything sounds so loud to her...SO happy!

In real life, our paths would probably never cross and, if they did, I don't know if we would even notice each other (although, if your kids were with you, I would think how cute they are). That's what I love about blogging; the finding people we wouldn't know otherwise. I learn from you everyday--and others, too--and I know that, once again, I am given the people I need at the time.

BlogHer '09 in Chicago, huh? Hmmm...Chicago's not far from where I live. Now you have me thinking...

Jessica said...

Yippee that all was successful. Kiddos are so resilient. It is amazing. Big Boy #1 asked me the other day if he could go back to the hospital so that he could watch his monster truck movie....seriously? (summer hospitalization...movie after movie...to get through boredom in the pediatrics ward) Oh goodness!

Meg said...

I'm glad to hear all went well.

And en route to Chicago, pick me up--I'm on the way.

Heather said...

so glad to hear that she is doing well and that the world is loud. Hopefully she won't have to be bored at school for too long.

GypsiAdventure said...

I am so happy everything went well and she is doing wonderfully.
*hugs*
~K

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that all is well, HOMommy!

Botsi ja chupcheto od tetata vo Atlanta!

Anonymous said...

I love the line about your laundry. How eloquent. So glad everything went perfectly, for your perfection of a child.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Good God, could you break my heart a little bit more with that sweetness??

I am SO glad she's ok. And that she can hear better already!!! That is fabulous!! Hope today is full of board games, cuddles and princess movies with Miss Lola.

Unknown said...

The sweetest words I've heard in a while? "I can hear my voice, Mama."

I have tears.

Hailey said...

so glad lola is doing well

Courtney said...

I am so happy for you and for her. It's so loud are probably the best words you could have heard. Lots of hugs Lola!

Melisa said...

I am glad to hear that her operation went well. Now, you will be asking her to repeat herself instead of asking her to use her "inside voice". HHHMMMM Makes me want to take my 4 year old to the doctor today to see about an "operation" for her too.
LOL. Take care, Melisa

Stephanie said...

I'm so happy to hear Lola can hear better! What a blessing for you all!!!

Blessings From Above said...

I am so glad to hear that everything went well!

With Lola's spunk, it does not surprise me one bit that she is ready to get out of the house already.

Anonymous said...

This brought tears to my eyes. Your post reminded me of when my son had his tonsilectomy at the age of five, he is now 14 :). God bless you and your family.

Tara R. said...

I got a little teary there... I am so glad Lola is doing well and is ready to take on the world. Hugs for you too Mom... it's always so hard to see your baby hurting.

Anonymous said...

The "I can hear my voice" choked me up..

SO happy she is doing so well.. HUGS to you ..

And we are so clinking glasses at BlogHer again.. :)

Miss Lisa said...

Awwwwwww "I can hear my voice"--that is fantastic :)

Yay for a success!

Anonymous said...

That is fantastic. Glad to hear Lola is doing great!

Just imagine all the things she had been missing that she will hear again. Awesome!

AEH said...

That is SO awesome! I'm so glad she can hear well now! :)

Anonymous said...

nope...
Thank YOU for sharing your real life with us!!!!!
Great to hear she's OK!!! :)
ups... gotta get TB at School... twit you later!!!
:)


xxxx

CC said...

Hurray for a successful surgery. Hurray for friends!!

When I was a part of a bulletin board community they actually threw me a baby shower by sending me gifts and even decorations. It was awesome. Haven't experience that with blogging, but maybe one day. ;)

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

OHMommy...this is why you must never quit blogging!

I'm so glad Lola's recovery is going so well and that it already seems like her hearing has improved!

Have a great weekend!

Tootsie Farklepants said...

She can hear!!! YAY!!! And her outfit is fabulous!!!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad everything went well!

Way to go Lola for being such a brave girl. My oldest "pookie" did not want to be there and screamed and tried to stand up when they were rolling her out of surgery. By the middle of the day and 10 cereal bars and Popsicles later she was fine. She said the same thing when I can I go back to school. I did keep her out one extra day but she was good to go. Everyone was amazed how much she talked when she came back. She just never talked because she could not hear. It is amazing what tubes can do. She hardly ever spoke a word in preschool started talking non stop after her tubes. "LOUD" was her number one complaint. "Mommy, everything is so loud" she would say as she held her ears.

I cannot believe fluid can cause such hearing problems. I don't know if she had many sinus infections but having her adenoids out will help with that. It cut down the number of ear and sinus infections she got.

my email- mwshores@gmail.com

Karen MEG said...

I'm so glad that the operation went well. So happy that she'll be able to hear ... I'm sure she may still be loud (girls tend to be right ;).

And I'll be there in Chicago with ya darling... can't WAIT :)

Jaina said...

I'm so glad that she is doing so well. :) Nearly makes me cry she is so precious.

Katie Ryan said...

I've been wondering how it all went for you and sweet Lola. I'm glad she's home now, eating, and happy.

Mama Smurf said...

Oh my...your little girl can hear again. That's fantastic. I'm so glad it went well.

I'm thinking about joining in on the BlogHer fun this (next) year. But fear sitting in the corner all by myself...LOL...will you visit with me if I go?

Anonymous said...

I have fallen a bit behind in my reading, but I am glad the big operation was a success. And next time I am sick, I want to come to your house!!

The 5 Bickies said...

You have such a way with words.

What a beautiful post. I am thrilled that Lola is responding well after surgery. Your heart must swell and your throat tighten when she makes comments about how LOUD her life is now. What a miracle!

Good Job Ohmommy being right there and getting it taken care of, quickly!

enthalpymama said...

She looks so sweet even after an operation. Glad to hear it all went smoothly. We missed you last night.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad it went well. And, don't you feel great that she can hear everything now?

Heather said...

I am so happy that everything went ok. And how exciting, all the things she is hearing!

Melissa ♥ Spoiled Mommy said...

Aww, glad to hear she is doing well. She sure is an adorable lil thing!
Woohooo-now you can sit back and relax some Mommy.
Happy Friday!

Joy said...

I am so glad that your sweet Lola is doing fine- hope she has a speedy recovery and you all have a great weekend.

Rhea said...

You do have amazing support, online and IRL. I'm impressed. And I'm so glad.

Marinka said...

I'm thrilled that everything went smoothly and is a success. In real life is fantastic sometimes.

C.J. Koster said...

Such a cute kid.

Ellyn said...

I am so happy she is healing well. She will be back to herself in no time

When I was little I had ear problems too. I have tubes put in to drain the fluid. The only real memory I have of it is everything was really loud for a couple of days. I feel for her. It will take some getting used to.

Alli Worthington said...

{hugs}

:)

the mama bird diaries said...

I am so glad your daughter is doing well. :)

Beth said...

I am so happy that she came thru perfectly!!! Oh how her world will change. I can only imagine how "loud" everything will sound!!!

You are truly a wonderful mom!!!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad she is ok and sorry to just now be sending positive thoughts your way.

There is no worry greater than that of a mother waiting for their child to have/come back from surgery. I went through it with Brady last year when he had throat surgery.

I am glad she is getting back to normal.

Anonymous said...

Sheesh woman.

You made me cry.

Now I have to redo my mascara, cause that ain't classy.

God, how I wish I could come to Blogher to give you a huge hug.

Maggie, Dammit said...

I am so relieved and glad to hear it. What a sweet kiddo, and this post was just so very cool. I can identify with it in so many ways. I am so glad to know you, lovely lady. Can't wait to officially "meet" you at BlogHer!

Nan Patience said...

I'm so glad to hear that Lola can hear so well and that she's already ready to get back to school! Classy recovery!

The BlogHer conference is in Chicago?... Man, that would be awesome to go!

Dziadek said...

Bede teraz musial mowic ciszej.Bardzo sie z tego ciesze
Moja wnuczka wyglada przeslicznie,chyba lepiej niz Briget Bardot.

Laura said...

I am so very happy the operation went well. Praying for a speedy recovery and a return to preschool!

Thank you for sharing your life - I enjoy your posts.

I am hoping to go to Blogher...hoping - cause I really want to meet my new blog friends in person.

HUGS!

BusyDad said...

Ironic how my crazy "real life" kept me from this post for so long. Just wanted to say "YAY!!" about the successful operation and "word" to pretty much everything you said about your "blog life" (and friends) merging with your "real life." Because to me they (and you) are one and the same. And we do have a lot in common. ;)

imbeingheldhostage said...

I'm glad she's doing so well!!

Eve Grey said...

SO happy to hear this!

April said...

Thank you for letting us in. OhMommy, I would never have believed that I'd be so involved in reading about a SAHM in OH with 3 perfect kids who still manages to stay stylish. You've seriously shattered a stereotype by allowing me in. Thank YOU!
And I'm so glad to hear it went well. Can't read to continue to read. (Even if I am days behind.)

 

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