Why I Keep Blogging
Rainy mornings and a fresh cup of coffee often inspire me to sit down and write. As I settled into my favorite recliner today, I found myself asking, “Why do I write a blog every week?”
Looking back, I’m amazed by the variety of subjects I’ve covered in over 400 posts. It’s rarely a struggle to find something to write about. Sometimes, humorous everyday occurrences spark an idea, and I love sharing those moments with you. Other times, I delve into more personal topics, like my heart surgery, or express my love for family and friends. When I first started, I actually wrote two blogs a week for about six months. That proved a bit difficult to maintain, so I switched to one post, released every Sunday afternoon.

So, how did this whole blogging adventure begin? It started with two persistent friends who kept “harassing” me to write. I argued that no one would read it, and I had nothing to say. “I’m not going to start a blog,” I insisted repeatedly, making excuses like not being a writer and hating high school English. After months of this good-natured badgering, I finally caved. I told them I’d write for just one month, just for them, hoping it would silence them. My first blog post went live on December 27, 2017, and I haven’t stopped since.

I truly fell in love with it. Blogging each week has become a form of therapy for me. I also realized I’m essentially writing my life story – what a wonderful gift to leave my grandchildren when I’m gone. I often wish I had a blog or diary from my own grandparents or great-grandparents. It would offer such a unique glimpse into their daily lives and who they truly were. And that, ultimately, is why I blog.

Another significant reason I continue blogging is the incredible feedback I receive. So many people comment that they read and enjoy my posts. Every week, someone will text or message me on Facebook, sharing a similar experience to one I’ve written about. It’s always a pleasant surprise when a complete stranger tells me they read my blog. I vividly remember after a basketball game in Tyler, Minnesota, an elderly gentleman in RTR apparel approached me in the press box. I assumed he’d want to discuss the game, but instead, he asked if I was Paul Raymo. When I confirmed, he told me that he and his wife enjoyed reading my blog every week and encouraged me to keep it up. I was genuinely shocked and touched that someone I didn’t even know was reading and appreciating my writing. And that, too, is why I blog.