For Neil

So, I want to take today to honor the man to inspired me to start this blog. Neil Pasricha, the man behind the Awesome Blog and the author of The Book of Awesome, The Book of (Even More) Awesome, The Book of (Holiday) Awesome and the 2012 Calendar of Awesome. I use my blog to help spread the happy and I like to, from time to time, put up articles of people that are doing just that-spreading the happy. Well... today, I don't have an article, even though Mr. Pasricha has been in many. I want to write my own little something for him instead of featuring an article.

For the past 4 years, Neil has diligently posted an awesome thing every week day. It ranges from your favorite pair of underwear to ducks to a stranger helping you parallel park to snow days to crying to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel to the perfect milk to cereal ratio to high fiving babies to school science projects to illegal naps to seeing an old couple holding hands and many, many more. Many times Neil has mad me laugh and many times he's made me cry. Every day he's made me think about the things that he posts and it makes me realize that there is a little bit of awesome everywhere. Sadly, his countdown reached 1000 today. When I got to his blog to see what #1 could be, I opened the page to over 200 comments already and the post Anything you want it to be. What a very fitting ending to such a wonderful blog.

Neil has helped many people in hard times. He's helped them open their eyes to the little joys life brings us all and the realization that they are not alone. Most of us grew up playing on dangerous playground equipment and find a bit of comfort in ugly actors, fat baseball players and yellow teeth. I learned that there is a such thing as ordering off the menu, ya know... when you order something that isn't actually listed on the menu at a restaurant...

He has given me my morning dose of happiness for 4 years and I'm sad to see it end. Its been so much fun going on his blog and sharing stories with the other commenters. We are all a part of the awesome community. Without Neil, I wouldn't have gotten to know these wonderful people and their stories. We wouldn't have gotten to joke around and share our undying love for Nutella. Neil's even tricked us a few times on April Fool's Day with things like when you're drowning and then a dolphin comes to your rescue and when you're being chased by zombies and suddenly find a hidden stash of guns and ammo. And then on April 1, 2011 between posts 276 and 275 he didn't really post anything... just said this, "Hi everyone, It’s been a great few years but we finally ran out of awesome things. Thanks so much for reading.Neil" With a link to April Fool's Day wiki page.

He's been fun to 'hang out' with and its been great getting a view into his own life. He's talked to us about that teacher, sisters, hanging out with your mom, your mom's love, dads, and his own hardships. He's shared his life with us. We shared ours with him. I feel like I really know him and most of the people that comment on there. We are kind of like a family. One very awesome family.

Many people have thanked Neil for what he's done, many people are grateful to have stumbled across his blog. I know I am. I can't remember how I found it, but I am sooo glad that I did. No words can express my joy and my gratitude and my admiration for Neil and his awesome movement. I feel like I am forever in debt to this man. He's helped me put the past behind me and appreciate today. I've let bad feelings melt away and I love myself more today than I did 4 years ago. Through this change that I've experienced in myself because of Neil, my marriage is stronger and my love for my children are greater than I could have ever imagined. I know some of you might think that is silly, but in order to love others to the fullest, you must first love yourself.

So Neil... I just wanted you to know that every time I am typing in my user name and password at the speed of light, or when the thing I was going to buy is already on sale, or whenever I have rain hair, or taking illegal naps, I will always think of you and the joy that you brought to my life. I hope you enjoy that you finally got to cross off the last item on your list. I am looking forward to seeing more works from you and I hope you keep finding awesome things... I know I will.

PS... thanks for sharing the bedhead baby one last time on #2!!