Guest Blogger III Debrief and Links

Well my dear Yankee Doodle Paddy Friends, we made it! Yes February, the Month of LOVE, has come and gone. 28 days and 29 posts and I for one feel more inspired, more energized and more connected. And connected is an important aspect of this Guest Blogger Series. We may come into this world alone and leave it alone, but it is utterly and truly about the connections we make along the way. To see these guest bloggers connect with each other, support and encourage each other has been amazing. And it is doubly awesome to see readers connect too, offering words of kindness through comments on here and social media. I’m in awe and blown away!

Continue reading

Guest Blogger Month III: Post #14

Valentine’s Day….It is one of the most emotionally charged days. Some love it and go over board with the chocolates, flowers and cards. It is a big day for engagements and even weddings. For others, especially some who might not have a significant other in their lives, they dread this day. But not because they don’t have a “sweetheart” to give them the fancy chocolates in the heart shaped box. For some it is a reminder of loved ones gone too soon. But maybe, just maybe we can take that pain and turn it into something truly LOVING, such as a written tribute. Like today’s amazing Guest Blogger. Lindsey is a lovely friend from Dublin who is beautiful, bright and funny. But she has a deep well of emotion, and for good reason. Today is her father’s birthday. However, as for many years now, she won’t be able to celebrate with him in this earthly life. So until we all meet again, she honors him and of course most of all, continues to love him and all her departed loved ones…. Continue reading

Guest Blogger Month III: Post #12

Today’s Guest Blogger is one of my first friends on Snapchat.  I adore Abby, who is from my soul home Dublin, Ireland. However we didn’t know each other when I lived there.  And we have yet to meet in real life. I say YET because I feel that indeed we will meet. We have lots in common, but tops of that list is the immense love and admiration we have for our fathers. Which is why my heart has been hurting for Abby these past couple of years as she was by her dad’s side during his illness. And like my dad, Abby’s dad is and always will be her hero! I am honored that Abby would share her LOVE story for her dad on Yankee Doodle Paddy’s Guest Blogger Series. A real tribute to an amazing man!  Continue reading

Guest Blogger Month III: Post #9

It is quite interesting when I speak with people about writing for this Guest Blogger Month of LOVE series. Some are eager right out of the box! They are usually folks who write regularly though often on topics unrelated to LOVE. This provides an opportunity to write something different than their normal topics. And then there are others who have to be gently encouraged to participate. Some like my friend Lynda, have admitted the only thing they write is the grocery list. Well today’s guest blogger, the lovely Emma from Australia, shared that she hadn’t written anything since high school. But here is the thing, I’d like to suggest that these blog posts aren’t about writing (you know the stress of punctuation, grammar and a grade). I like to think these stories are about SHARING! And since many of these guest bloggers are friends from the Snapchat commUNITY, we are all used to sharing and chatting and connecting. And this is just an extension of that! So let’s read what Emma, this lovely mom of two, has to say about LOVE! Continue reading

Guest Blogger Month III: Post #7

Before I introduce today’s amazing Guest Blogger, I just want to take this time to thank you for your support. Not just for this Yankee Doodle Paddy blog but specifically for the Month of Love series, now in its third year (click here and here for links to the last two years). But most importantly I want to thank YOU for being a huge source of love and encouragement to these awesome people who have the courage to open up and share their hearts with all of us! Trust me, it is harder than it looks! My lovely friend Kelly, from my soul home of Ireland, is well acquainted with sharing her heart, cuz like me she wears her heart on her sleeve! But to be honest with you, that actually makes it more courageous to split open the soul to enlighten others. Continue reading

Guest Blogger Month III: Post #3

Today’s Guest Blogger is from the great state of Idaho. A fabulous lady I met though Snapchat, this effervescent, funny and smart lady is a fav for many of us. As entertaining and upbeat as Christy is, unless you know her story, you might not imagine her having a bad day. But when you read this beautifully written LOVE story you’ll see what’s the secret to that spark of joy in her stunning eyes! Continue reading