Interesting Observations

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little things that give us hope

It's been over two months since I've updated this blog and even though I browse through the web and meet/talk and socialize with many of you on various networking sites, I have to be honest that something inside me is not the same as before. The months after my father's passing haven't been easy on any of us in the family but it's been even tougher on our mother who is often hears him calling her name out for something. His presence in every room is still felt and even though we are comforted in the thoughts that he is around us and amidst us, the helplessness and not being able to see his physical self is just beyond any words could explain.

For me, there have been sudden and unannounced crying bouts at odd times and odd places, more so in my car while going home after work, which automatically disappear after some time. They are like spasms that come fast and make you feel like nothing in the world matters any more. All kinds of emotions, anger, helplessness, frustration, sadness, depression – any of these prop up at different times causing a lot of stress. Needless to say, it's been one of the most difficult things I have experienced.

With so much stress there have been many days when it became a burden to just get through the day let alone accomplish something. But, I am managing well so far. And the credit goes to all of you. My online community of friends – who are the reason I am able to write this post. You are the reason I have been able to keep my sanity many days when all else failed. The days when during my sadness, I didn't have the energy to do anything, when I wanted to be all alone yet needed the quiet support. It was easier reading your emails and short messages full of love, support and advice on twitter and StumbleUpon, than picking up the telephone to talk to someone. Your kind gestures, expressions of sympathy and offers to help out with this blog, everything – comforted and helped to pick up my spirit.

So, in this post, I want to take the time to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being there for me.

Steven @ http://traffikd.com/

Aruni @ http://www.entrepremusings.com/

Alina @ http://wordsofabrokenmirror.com/

Rob @ http://www.robschaumer.com/blog/

Glenn @ http://www.interfaithnetworking.com/myblog

Sue @ http://www.sueblimely.com/

David McCauley

Mig @ http://ewriting.pamil-visions.com/

Joy @ http://gourmeted.com/

Darren @ http://www.problogger.net/

David @ http://www.seduction-chronicles.net/david-deangelo

Mark @ http://www.mytropicalescape.com/

Tay @ http://superbloggingtips.com/

Lalla @ http://www.lalla-mira.com/

betshopboy @ http://www.betshopboy.net/

Scott @ http://mythermos.com/

Morgan @ http://morganwrites.wordpress.com/

Shazza

Ken @ http://blogs.mysites-advisor.com/

April @ http://www.dreamingofsilverroses.com/

Mike @ http://port16.com/blog

Renny @ http://www.terella.no/

Kelly @ http://she-power.com/

Stephen @ http://www.scratch99.com/

Don @ http://makingsalesmakingmoney.com/blog/

Alex @ http://www.thenext45years.com/

Karen @ http://abaminds.com/

teeni @ http://vtroom.wordpress.com/

Lyndon @ http://www.cornwallseo.com/search

Meg @ http://blogpond.com.au/

Ange @ http://angesbiz.com/

Madhur @ http://www.whoismadhur.com/

Ben @ http://www.benh.org/techblog

Ritu @ http://www.ghostblogging.net/

Ray @ http://freshblogger.com

Donovan @ http://www.seduction-chronicles.net/

Ruud @ http://ruudhein.com/

Akemi @ http://yes-to-me.com/

Ian @ http://www.mybigworldofcrap.org/

Pelf @ http://chenpn.com/

Frank @ http://www.seopranos.com/

Shankar @ http://www.shankarganesh.com/

Gazzali @ http://proenrichment.blogspot.com/

Isabella @ http://moritherapy.org/

Deborah @ http://www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/

Colin @ http://cotojo.wordpress.com/

Vivien @ http://www.inspirationbit.com/

Tony @ http://aplawrence.com/

Diane @ http://dianealdred.com/

Saboma @ http://saboma.stumbleupon.com/

Monika @ http://www.thewritersmanifesto.com/blog/

Diana @ http://www.134u.com/

Simonne @ http://www.alltipsandtricks.com/

Pablo @ http://blogsreview.net/

Matt @ http://lordmatt.co.uk/

Jay @ http://www.onlineopportunity.org

Mayank @ http://www.reviewsaurus.com/

Alex Petre

Wayne @ http://www.wayneliew.com/

Adnan @ Blogtrepreneur

Jacob @ http://jobmob.co.il/

Franco Yong @ http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Franco_Yong

Anna @ Stumble Upon

Kim @ http://laketrees.blogspot.com/

Jolynn Brailey @ http://www.thefitshack.com/

Susie @ http://soul-to-soul.com/

Glen @ http://www.viperchill.com/blog/

Isabella @ http://moritherapy.org/

Alex @ http://www.thenext45years.com/

Dawud @ http://dmiracle.com/

Bobby @ http://revellian.com/

Mark @ http://markeff.blogspot.com/

Ev @ http://wackymom.blogspot.com/

Mary Ann @ http://maryannaville.blogspot.com/

Maggie @ http://tasteofbothworlds.typepad.com/

Alina @ http://www.automaticlifechanges.com/

Barbara @ http://www.scvlife.net/

Maura @ http://momcominghome.com/

My Heartfelt Thanks!

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66 comments
Meg

Hang in there Pearl. I’m glad you’ve got such a wonderful support network.

Meg’s last blog post..I had a great idea for a blog post…

Aruni

Pearl – just remember you are a precious person…just like a precious pearl. I’m sure what you are going through is normal for someone who has lost someone so dear and I’m so glad that even though you haven’t felt like posting, that you are still staying connected on twitter and other online avenues.

I know when you are ready, you will be able to share with us your insights and your journey that will in turn help others!

Aruni

inspirationbit

I’m very glad to see you back, Pearl. I know how hard it is for you and your family now. Perhaps you should use this blog as an outlet for your soul. Judging by the amount of friends you have here who were there for you, you would have no problems with taking this blog to the next step.

inspirationbit’s last blog post..Meticulous Design: Information Architecture

Diane

I’m glad that your many online friends have helped you through this time. It’s rather wonderful to me to know that so many people care and want to help someone they have never met. It shows human nature is essentially caring. But they are just returning the friendship you have extended to them. I’m a great believer in ‘Do as you would be done by’. Take care. We look forward to your return. We miss you.

Diane’s last blog post..Rain, rain, go away…

pelf

Hey pearl, I am guilty for not “being there” when you needed someone, but I am glad you are taking it easy these days. Losing someone is never a good feeling, and I know there is no such thing as “done mourning”.

*hugs*

pelf’s last blog post..The Behler Conservation Center

Pearl

@Akemi: thank you for keeping the feed and staying with the blog while I gather myself up

@Ruud: I am forever indebted to you guys for providing me that support in my most difficult time. you are right about that by that time everything changes :) it’s NOW I need to see him darn it!

@Aruni: glad I met you way back when.. thanks for always answering my tweets despite those thousand+ followers of yours :) and all the encouragement

@Vivien: thank you Vivien. I have such mixed feeling about this blog.. on one hand, I feel I did a good job with it and want to improve it further and love the fact that I met all these wonderful people, On the other, I am not ready emotionally, to put in that much time to take it to next level. But we’ll see. Hopefully I’ll be able to decide something in the near future..

@Meg: thank you for stopping by Meg…. these people are just awesome!

@Diane: thank you! I agree, human nature is caring at the core and I’ve been very fortunate in coming across some very kind people in the blogosphere. I miss you guys too, these conversations on the blog are so cathartic for me!

RennyBA

Dear Pearl!
You know I’ve been thinking of you a lot and feel so sorry for your loss. I’m glad it has been a comfort to you to know that people all over the world have you in their thoughts! The power of the support in blogshpere is amazing.
What an honour to be listed among your friends!

RennyBA’s last blog post..A memorial for TorAa’s son Ruben

Pearl

@Pelf: right, I don’t know if it ever stops bothering to have lost someone so precious to you! don’t worry about anything. I know you were busy preparing to leave for US…

hope my country is treating you well :)

Pearl

@Renny: Just came back from your blog after reading that awful post about Ruben.. I can’t even imagine how difficult it is for a parent to have to go on after such a loss and still be there for the other kids!

It is indeed very comforting to know I have friends and well wishers all over the world. Thank you for being so supportive Renny

teeni

Aww, Pearl. I think each of us knows that you would be there for us, so how could we not be there for you?! You take your time and grieve – we will be here for you when you are ready. Soon enough you will pick up and go about living the way that wonderful father of yours would be proud of. :) Although that pain of loss never completely disappears, it becomes a little more bearable. I’m glad your mom has you and I’m so happy to see all these wonderful people that are here for you. Hugs to you, my friend. Oh, almost forgot in my happiness to see a post from you, I’ve moved my blog – just remove the “wordpress” from my URL to find me.

teeni’s last blog post..People Like to Give Me Things