On the Postpatum Progress Facebook Fan Page, I recently shared the same request I shared here that you let me know what you’d like to see on my blog. Mark Bentley requested a smiling picture of me. He wrote:
“What I would like to see is a picture of you smiling to show that PPD can be beat! ;-)”
I specifically chose the pic on the front of my blog because I didn’t want to be all shiny-happy-people on a blog about postpartum depression. It just doesn’t seem like the appropriate way to greet people who arrive at Postpartum Progress, some of whom are really struggling. I thinkthe current pic isthe right note to strike on the Postpartum Progress homepage.The photo was taken by the amazing photographer Lara Rossignol, to whom I’mundyingly grateful for making me look decent. If I could I would have her take every pic of me that is ever taken.
Mark’s request is oneI can honestly say I have not had yet, but I can see his point, soI’m game. OK Mark. I found one where I’m actually smiling. How’s this:
Beautiful!
Wow. Just gorgeous!!! And you're right about not putting a shiny happy photo on your front page, I think. 🙂
When I read this, I remembered your post about being asked by your son to his Valentine's Day dance. You were beaming in that picture! So cute.
I totally understand your point about not trying to make this a "shiny, happy, postpartum blog" but is is still nice to see that you got through happy on the other side.
Thanks for taking your reader's comments seriously, and I think that really explains the answer to your question "why do I have so many readers?" This is a great blog that provides really great information about a really tough subject that you obviously know and care a lot about.
Thanks, and keep it up!
Gorgeous photo! I love too that you have a survivors photo album with positive pictures. I have many pictures of me smiling while I was in the throes of PPD…and I can look back at each of those pix and see the pain behind my eyes and in that tight pasted on smile…I look at pictures of me now with a genuine smile and I am so thankful to be on the other side. Also, I like that you look strong…almost tough on the profile picture you chose…although I felt weak while experiencing PPD, all survivors are incredibly tough.
I think you're right too about the shiny happy photo. I've been asked why don't I smile more too. But it's always a guy asking me. Don't you think it's a little strange that the person that asked YOU was a guy even though you probably have a bazillion more female readers? I don't know. Just because a person has a neutral expression on their face, it doesn't mean they're not happy. Think about it, have you ever said that to a guy? It would sound weird, wouldn't it?
I think the picture you have at the top of the page is perfect. It just fits – when I see it, I see courage, strength, survival, hope, and tenacity. It was great to see the smiling picture, too, though! You are so gorgeous!