I began my first blog, Buzz In Around the Hive, about six years ago as a way to journal my experience as a caregiver to my parents, Earnie and Ray. Sprinkled in between stories of the joys and challenges of caring for aging parents, I shared recipes, ideas for home decor and entertaining, the milestones of being Miss Bee’s mother and a few stories including, Mr. Bee, my husband.
My mother, Earnie, was a big inspiration for my blog material. With her permission, I would share comical things she said or did. She always laughed and found the funny in most everything, even heartache. When Earnie died very suddenly in 2013 from a brain aneurysm, my world stopped turning. I missed her daily presence in my home where we lived together as a family for six wonderful years. She was my zip, which I wrote about here. It took me a LONG time to find any reason to write. I had no motivation. My muse was gone. I’d post something and then weeks later people would ask me if I was going to write anything because they were tired of seeing the story about scented wipes. About two years later, I slowly found the desire to write. But, even then, it didn’t seem like anything I was sharing was interesting.
2015: Mary, Kathy, Julie and me on the way to Orcas Island, Washington
When I was with my three best friends last fall on our mid-year retreat, I shared all these feelings I had and, with their help, I realized that my blog had revolved around a life I didn’t have anymore. I had moved on to the next chapter of my life – a life yet to be lived with infinite opportunities to redefine who Melissa is and will be next. However, it is really important to me that I stay close to those ties I had with Mother and the inspiration she gave me throughout her lifetime.
Hence, Home with a Twist. A daughter’s twist on her mother’s traditions. I will still share the same ideas with you on cooking, home keeping, entertaining, my spiritual growth and whatever else I may find interesting. It’s my twist in the tale. I hope you will stay with me to enjoy what’s ahead. It will be sweet, because my mother said so.
Hospitality is in my DNA. I founded Home with a Twist, a daughter’s twist on her mother’s traditions, in memory of my mother to celebrate her life and the gifts she shared with me. Mother loved to celebrate life’s occasions – big and small.
I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds!
That’s awesome Melissa! Look forward to reading it!