Why this (not so) Angry Mother writes

So, way back in October, I posted on this blog asking for people to vote for me in an essay contest on Readers Digest Facebook page. Well, between that post and all the harrassing I did of friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, and via email, enough of you voted for me to put me in the top 100 (out of more than 5,000 entries, but who's counting?), which qualified my essay, Angry Mother, to be reviewed by the editors and a judging panel...and I won! Okay, I didn't win the GRAND prize, but I was one of the 10 runners up and won $2,500! And, they published the essay, along with a photo they took (via professional photo shoot in my house), in the March 2012 issue of the print version of Readers' Digest!

Thank you to EVERYONE who voted!

Click HERE to read my essay (and see the picture)!

Shortly after the essay ran in the magazine, I received this comment on my blog:

I just read your RD article today at our local library as I waited for my son to take his music and art classes. It meant a lot to me, and I wanted to track down Karen Dahl of NY, NY to say, "Thank You." I had tears in my eyes that I was really hoping the guy in the chair across from me didn't notice. I found no place here to send a message to you, and so I'm hoping you will see this attached to your post about that article. Thank you for the best 150 words I've read in a long, long time.

I then started an email exchange with the commenter to say thank you to her and to tell her that this is literally why I write - not for the kind words (though that's great) but to hopefully make an impact on someone else, even for just a moment. I've wanted to be a writer my whole life and this 150 word contest and one comment have inspired me to focus on this dream more often!

Thank you again to friends, family, and strangers for all of your support! It means the world to me.

Comments

[Amphomma.wordpress.com]

Karen, I thoroughly enjoy your writing, and I totally understand your desire to help and encourage others through writing! What a wonderful experience you had with the RD contest--I'm very happy for you, and that lady's effort to track you down was moving. I just wanted to let you know that as I'm figuring out the nooks and crannies of my new blog, your blog is one that I am *officially* following. Happy writing!

[true religion outlet]

I baked cookies and breads and made dips and worked tirelessly on our little holiday party.

[Ggene_sis]

Congrats, Karen! What an amazing opportunity! ~Donna

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