Today, October 3rd 2016, marks the 5th anniversary of the publication of Irish American Mom’s very first blog post. Wow! Where has time gone? I can’t believe it’s been five whole years since I first started this crazy blogging journey.

Thank you to all who stop by to read my ramblings. Today I am writing this post to acknowledge all of you, who visit my website, who read along, who join in our little discussions, and who give me kind words of encouragement.  This blog would not be possible without you.

I may have created this little corner of the world wide web five years ago to share my ideas, and sometimes quirky views of Ireland and the Irish in America, but it is readers, like you, who make it all worth while.  My virtual blog door is always open, and you will always find a hundred, thousand welcomes here.

Remember, together we make this blog happen. Without you I definitely would not be blogging. And so, on this 5th anniversary of my blog I simply want to say thank you.

Thank you for stopping by, for reading my ramblings, for subscribing to my e-mail updates, for following me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, and for commenting. Thank you for your kind words of support, for sharing your love of Ireland on my blog, and for your lovely e-mails.

Thank you for all your likes and shares on Facebook, your replies and retweets on Twitter, and your pins and repins on Pinterest. Creating, cooking, editing, and sharing recipes, photos and stories on Irish American Mom takes quite a bit of time each week.

Knowing how much you enjoy my recipes and ramblings gives me endless encouragement to keep on going.

As a busy mom of four, it can be difficult to juggle everything and keep this blog ticking over. Sometimes I might feel discouraged by negative comments, or get overwhelmed by that infamous Irish Catholic guilt.  I might mentally beat myself up because I think I’m not doing enough or writing my posts to the very best of my ability.

Lately I have read articles claiming blogging is dead, and the only way forward is through video and podcasts. My heart sinks a little because I feel I’m only just beginning to feel competent as a blogger.  As someone who loves to ramble and write, blogging is the perfect fit for me, not video taping.  And so, you can understand why I feel a little pang of despair when I realize I’m an old-fashioned blogger.

But the amazing thing is, my self-reproach and disillusionment lift once I connect with readers. I feel reassured when I hear from you, when I consider the wide variety of blog posts viewed by readers each day, and when I  see your likes, shares and comments.

Your support motivates my to keep moving forward on this blogging journey no matter what the experts say about the future of blogging.

With your help, I continue to learn and improve, even when the technical side of managing a website frustrates me. Because of you, I keep getting better at this whole complicated thing we call blogging.

I feel like we are kindred spirits. Reading the comments on my blog is like having a cuppa tea with good friends, very kind and thoughtful friends who make blogging fun.

And so, as I celebrate this little milestone on my blogging journey, I say thank you for a wonderful 5 years of blogging.

Let’s raise a virtual glass or cuppa, and toast our blogging future together. Here’s to exploring all things Irish and Irish American for many years to come.

Slán agus beannacht,

(Goodbye and blessings)

Irish American Mom