I've been reading Anne Lammott's fantastic book Bird by Bird. It is a lovely collective of writing advice and some wonderfully crafted writing. Her take on school lunches is an especially delightful read. Early in the book, she shares one of my favorite gems. "Good writing," Anne Lammott said, "is about telling the truth."

This is a blog–which is an exercise in writing, although not necessarily one in good writing. It is an exercise that like many of us is either going well or poorly depending on the day. It has ebbs and flows, good days and bad days, helpful insights and thoughts that fall flat. Which is to say the one true thing that all writing is without question: human.

I usually fail to take a step back and acknowledge the humanity inherent in this transaction. I view it as words on a page and turn it into a transaction rather than the conversation it has the potential to be.

Writers carve away at every memory, emotion, and idea. They work to express them with clarity in hopes that at least one other living soul connects with and draws value from their effort. Few things are so intimate.

How could it be anything else?

How could we expect writing to share all the virtues of mankind, and yet remain void of our flaws?

In truth, we can't expect such things of writing because we can't expect such things from ourselves.

Faults, inconsistencies, and missteps fill this blog, as they fill my life. Strong at times, and crawling or disappearing altogether at others. Such is the humanity we all comprise.

This blog is climbing out of a dark period at present. New content hasn't hit the page in several months. I've missed stopping in to visit with you about the new things I'm learning and old lessons I'm learning again.

I won't make promises about returning with a renewed vigor or commitment to talk at a given frequency. I'll say the only true thing I can think to say:

Nice to see you again. It's been far too long. I am excited to be visiting with you again and look forward to seeing where our conversation goes from here.