The MAD Blog Awards

The MAD Blog Awards

I have been lucky enough to attend the MAD Blog Awards as a finalist for 2-years now, which both amazes and humbles me in equal measure.  This year, the ceremony was held at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington and was even more glitzy and glamorous than before.

I was keeping esteemed company with some of my favourite bloggers on the night, but it was the fantastic Fiona from Combe Mill who walked away with the prize in my category, Best Family Fun Blog.  Fiona writes a brilliant blog about life as a Farmer’s wife with their 6 children and she gave the most beautiful and moving speech when she went up to the stage to collect her award.

I had not prepared any words to say on the night in the event my name was called; so strong was my belief that there would be no need to use them.  If only I could be as thrifty when it came to shopping online.

Then I thought how flippant that must sound to all the people who have taken the time to read, comment, share and nominate this blog.

When presented with an opportunity to pen a thank you to each and every one of them, I passed it up because my belief in myself was not as strong as theirs.

We may not all have won an award that night, but we are all still winners in someone’s eyes.

So this is for you.  You all know who you are.

My speech, never written, never given.

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to write.  As a young girl, I would scribble furiously in my notebook and lose myself in a story for days on end.  Then one day, I just stopped.  I cannot tell you when.  I just stopped writing.  I was terrified of being ridiculed and embarrassed that I had even thought I could put myself out there.  So, I kept it hidden in the very depths of my mind for many years.  For so many years, that I forgot it was even there.

I totally lost my confidence.  And, I lost my way a bit too.

One day I will tell you that story.

But bear with me, as I am only just starting to find my voice.  You may have to put up with updates on the ongoing feud between my husband and the SatNav Man for a little while longer.

To my family, who provide endless blog fodder FREE of charge; and my epic blogging family, who are living proof that not everyone you chat to on the internet is a weirdo.   The blogging community who inspire me with their talent, passion and strength.  A community who stands together to support a cause, a stranger, a friend.  

I am proud to be a part of it.  

So, thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who reads, comments, shares and has nominated this blog for an award.

It is because of you that I can be.

*****

We had a fantastic night courtesy of The Mad Blog Awards and Parentdish.
You can see some of the official photographs from the night on the MAD Blog Awards Facebook page

*****

You can also follow me on TwitterInstagramFacebook and Pinterest

6 Comments

  1. September 29, 2013 / 10:54 AM

    I’m so pleased for you that you were a finalist – that in itself is amazing. I’ve been blogging properly for about 7 months now and I LOVE this community, there is so much warmth and support, it’s incredible. Keep writing and entertaining us all please 🙂

  2. October 4, 2013 / 2:08 PM

    It was so cool to get to hang out with you. I might have been tipsy but I haven’t forgotten your exciting secret thing or press-ganging you into team honk xx

  3. October 5, 2013 / 12:27 AM

    Bless you, I love your speech that was never read but now will be read by many. It was wonderful to be there with you for the 2nd year and it could so easily have been you on the night fumbling for these words. Your writing is funny and catching and I love your blog, have that belief in yourself, you are worth it!

  4. October 6, 2013 / 7:58 PM

    That was lovely…. and congratulations on being a finalist, so well deserved. X

  5. October 7, 2013 / 1:06 PM

    That’s a cracking speech and you’re all doing amazing things, whether you leave with a trophy or not. I’m so pleased you could join us, and you had a good night 🙂

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