Parking the Minivan

After a great deal of soul-searching, I’ve decided that this will be the last post on Crumbs in the Minivan.  It's been almost four years and over 500 posts sharing the good, the bad and the silly here on this blog and the time has come to say goodbye. 

This blog started, as I suspect many others do, as a place to share some of the stories of my family.  Our quirky suburban nest is far away from my parents and other family so this was a way to keep them abreast of our goings on, offering a little glimpse into our life.  

What it turned into was much more than that. 

Through this blog, I came to know many really amazing people.  Some are writers, some social media superstars, others from all walks of life in a wide range of locales around this great planet.  How fascinating to get the chance to connect in such an intimate way with people from Australia, Finland, the Middle East or the Philippines.  How totally hilarious to see how people end up on this blog through Google searches of “exhibitionist neighbour” or “Peter Criss wants a hug”. 

What a beautiful and strange, comforting and intimidating place the blogosphere (and all social media, really) is.  I’ve really enjoyed connecting with so many of you, sharing and comparing stories, or just laughing about the world of parenting or 30-somethinghood.  I’ve loved reading your blogs and comments and engaging with you about your adventures, too.

I’ve also been fortunate to have met many incredible people, mostly women, who have taken their passions and turned them into successes both online and in real life.   I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and the people I’ve met.  Most recently driving a Chevrolet Orlando to Orlando with a bunch of other really amazing families or performing onstage with the National Ballet of Canada in The Nutcracker, my life has been enriched by every single experience. 

I’ve also had the good fortune to connect with people who are even more passionate about music and culture and help share some of the wonderful arts experiences out there for families these days.  I’m a huge fan of those superstars. 

Aside from all of this, having Crumbs in the Minivan taught me a lot about myself and about what I really value in my life, in people, in family and friends.  It has inadvertently clarified what’s really important to me.  It has allowed me to laugh, to cry, to share or to hold back, to think, to question, to challenge and to release.  It has taught me who I want to be as a parent and role model for my children.

It’s time to close the doors on Crumbs.  I will be adjusting my Twitter and Facebook handles accordingly so you may need to get to know me by another name since my last name isn't really Crumb.   I intend to continue with MapleMixtape.com and continue blogging for the ever-so-cool Bunchfamily so you’ll still find me there, too.  I have a freelance writing business that I enjoy and I have some other interesting things I’ve been mulling over.  I’m excited about what 2012 might hold for me.

So please still keep in touch.  And thank you for allowing me into your lives, sharing some bits and pieces from mine.  I’m grateful you’ve been here. 

As 2011 closes, so too does Crumbs in the Minivan.   I wish you all a new year filled with laughter, love, inspiration and challenge.  I hope that you never stop dreaming and never lose sight of what’s most important to you.


**Added Jan 1st: I can't believe I didn't leave this with a song.  Where was my head?  This artist continually offers me a soundtrack to my life and this song in particular gave me strength when it first came out.  I believe I will use it again here to kick-start my 2012.  Neil Finn's She Will Have Her Way.

 

PS: I still drive a minivan full of crumbs.