Are you there blogosphere? It's me, Hattie.

I've really been cutting it close meeting my deadline these past few nights with another post at 11:48pm. I didn't begin this blog project to gain an audience, but at the same time chose a public forum like a blog because some semblance of an audience is essential to my experience. There's no risk in failure if I'm not exposing my shortcomings to others and I need the encouragement of others to keep going when I feel like staying in bed all day. I never anticipated how delighted I would be when someone would share with me that they were reading. I have received a number of texts, facebook messages, and emails from many of you and want to say thank you for reading and encouraging me. I have been really surprised by your presence.

Not being fully aware of who is reading is probably a good thing as it has kept me from censoring myself or molding my words in order to appeal more to a particular audience. But after some thought I've decided to ask if you are reading this to make your presence known (strangers welcome too!). I don't know why I want to know. Maybe because I anonymously read so many other blogs that my curiosity is getting the best of me. I heard a rumor my niece is reading. So we'll do a little experiment...Ellie if you see this, punch Katie for me. (We'll see just how faithful of a reader you are now.)

Depending on if any of you are actually out there, I may start asking questions in my posts and inviting you into the conversation. It always felt presumptuous in the past (and still now) to interact with a reader who may not even be out there, like I would be arrogantly assuming others were actually reading. But enough with my insecurities, if you are with me on this year long journey, let me know. I'd love to have you join in.

I feel like I'm talking to myself like when I used to pray when I was very little and didn't think God or anything else out there could actually hear. Are you there blogosphere? It's me, Hattie.