My reason for blogging, displaying his "sweet" pose.When I woke up this morning, I was thinking that I really don't feel like posting anything today. I've been battling a summer cold, and I have a lot to do today but not much to say. Plus, why do it every day when so few people read the posts anyway?

So I turned to an oft-used procrastination tool: checking my e-mail. Amidst all the pleas from retailers and notifications of jobs for which I don't qualify were two e-mails from Megan.

The first:

Hi Mom, I just wanted to let you know that I look forward to reading your blog each day. Here it is 5:11 AM and I'm checking it to see if maybe you posted early. But even if you did it wouldn't change the fact that I check it a million times throughout the day anyway. I think I'm addicted! :)

And the second, 28 minutes later:

Yep, definitely addicted. Just checked it again - just in case.

It was a reminder that although not a lot of folks read my blatherings, the folks that matter do.

I was initially against blogging. It just seems so self-important to think that others really give a hoot about the ramblings rumbling around in my brain. Then, when my coworkers and I were laid off last year, they encouraged me to start a blog "as a way to keep in touch." So I reluctantly joined the blogosphere ... and soon found it was a nice way to drain my brain of the this and that clogging my system.

So when my brain -- and heart -- were full of incredible joy at the arrival of Bubby, paired with intense sadness that our relationship would be a long-distance one, I turned to blogging as a release. Thus began Grandma's Briefs -- my way of starting each day with happy thoughts about Bubby and what he means to my life, despite the 819 miles between us, and to purge myself of the sadness attached to each and every one of those miles.

The other perks of blogging soon became obvious:

• My mom reads my posts and learns more about me and my life than if I were to call her each day (I hate the telephone, so this works for us both).
• My wonderful Aunt Darlene on the other side of the country reads my words and sends me sweet e-mails and wonderful photos and videos of my grandma.
• My friends comment and make me feel like what I say really does matter.
• Kind strangers bestow awards upon me.

And, most important of all, blogging helps me believe that, despite the miles separating all of us, my immediate family is still close ... and will continue to be.

Guess I'll keep blogging.

(Thanks for today's post, Megan.)