The downside of spamming

So I was going through my email last night (which is a task that I've come to dread because of all of the spam I've been getting lately) and discovered that I got nearly 400 spam comments on the site in the last 2 weeks.  What a waste of my time!  I had to go through and check each comment to make sure that it wasn't actually on the site (the blogger spam filter is no match for the diabolical nature of these posts!) and then delete everything out.  Such a pain in the booty!!!

The worst part of it all is how many wonderful, delightful, friendly comments I had missed!!!  I try very hard to answer every comment on the site, because of a terrible mistake that I made very early on the blog.  I got a wonderful, sweet comment from my cousin (who was also my blogging inspiration and mentor) that I didn't answer.  I didn't think it was a big deal, I mean, lots of blogs don't answer all of the comments on the site.  And I was sure that it wouldn't hurt her feelings, she wasn't like that, so I didn't answer her back.

But I wish I had.  She was a wonderful mom, wife, cousin and friend.  She was an artist, and a skilled cook.  She was amazing.  She was the type of person that I wanted to be.  And she died unexpectedly a month (or so) after I started my blog of a brain aneurysm.  She was only 44.

It took us all by surprise.  I had my own brush with death about 9 years ago, so I understand that every single day is a gift, but Bindu's death hit me hard. Really, really hard.  She left behind a legacy of friendship and happiness and joy and love.  It made me wonder, if I only had 8 more years, what would my legacy be?

I knew that if I wanted to leave a legacy that was worth leaving, I would have to start with honoring everyone who took the time to leave me comments.  I hadn't answered Bindu's comment, but I could answer everyone elses.  Sadly, I've fallen terribly behind in that task.

So, to everyone who has left me wonderful comments, I want to thank you.  Thank you for spending time with me.  Thank you for encouraging me, supporting me, and keeping me going!  I will go through all of the comments for the last couple of weeks and try to get them all answered in the next week, so check back!!!

Thank you for going on this journey with me.  I still don't know what legacy I'll leave, that will be for others to determine at a later point, but I know that in my dreams it's one of friendship, happiness, joy and love.  I can't imagine anything more wonderful.

xoxo