Following my last blog, I’ve thought further about blogging, and why I do it. Our young friends asked me yesterday if the movie Julie and Julia had inspired me, and if I intended to publish my blog one day. I have thought about publishing Project 366, especially as now it is a recipe file, and could add it to the recipes I’ve been promising friends for years. It seems I had thought of blogging before Julie and Julia, as I found a letter I wrote to one son in 2009, when I thought I was dying of Motor Neurone Disease, “A few months ago, I had thought of setting up a website, but had discounted the idea as stupid! However, the book on dying Nicole gave me has re-inspired me to think about doing it, as it might be a way for you and others to stay in touch with what is happening. There are also many things I would like to pass on to you, so perhaps this will be a way I can also do that? The last few years, Pete and I have been to many funerals, including his Mum’s, and have learnt so much about people we thought we knew. The other surprise was that many people also knew very little about their parents or friends. We have also realised how little we really know about Nana and Pa, and their early lives, and how much it means to us when we find something out about them, so perhaps a website [or book] is an important legacy to leave behind. As my health has deteriorated over the last few months, it has become very important to me to be sure I let the people I love, know that I love them. I tried to talk to you about a week ago about a few things, but the words came out wrong.” I checked he doesn’t mind me sharing this bit of the letter; I thought it was significant to where I am now, and why I am blogging. There are so many books on dying and illness, stories of people’s journeys through cancer, through to death. Inspiring stories, written by people who are facing what is actually the inevitable for everyone, but when it comes in a way that gives you time to prepare, many people respond differently, especially when it is someone younger with a younger family. Blogging is there for all to see, but just like a magazine or newspaper, there is no-one making people read it. Many of my family and friends, and new blog follower friends encourage me to keep blogging. I feel very committed to blogging, not just for them, but for me as it is without doubt the best therapy in the world, and keeps me focussed and engaged. It is definitely now my memory bank, and it also helps me stay connected beyond my wildest dreams. I always wanted to write too, stories, books, poems, whatever… and now because of dementia, I am writing.