100 Is a *Magic* Number - A Thank You to the HubPages Community and My Followers

When I first got here, I already knew I loved to write. What I didn't know was the adventure that would begin with a mouse click.

I delved into an unknown community, intrigued by the idea that I could write about my favorite things and maybe make a little side income.

But I found so much more!

That was five weeks ago, and I've become a HubAddict - if I may coin a new term. Maybe that's not a new term, but whatever the case may be, I feel I have found a gem of a community. For that, I'm so thankful and grateful.

To date, I've written 32 hubs and am in the process of working on #33. But I would not have gotten past the first several hubs if it weren't for all the comments, feedback, encouragement, generosity of ideas and willingness to help from both people I follow and whom follow me.

I have learned so much from all of you. Because of the support from followers and the HubPages community in general, my confidence in writing has skyrocketed.

I've come a long way since that one professor in college said I couldn't write and that he was surprised I'd even gotten "in" with my lack of writing ability. Maybe it wasn't that great, but I relish in the idea that he had me all wrong.

We all have to start somewhere, though. We all start out new and green. With some encouragement, we grow and learn and become phenomenal hubbers and exemplary writers. This community has fueled a desire I didn't even know I had: to be a writer all the time.

I'll let you in on a little secret. I wasn't conscious of the fact that I even enjoyed writing until recently. I have journals-full of entries and thoughts from over the years. I have blogs that I've started and stopped. I'd never quantified that writing, though. I guess it was one of those things I just wanted to keep close and nurse like a small child so that I wouldn't be criticized like I was during my career in college. But, come on, how can you be really passionate when you're fulfilling someone else's requirements all the time? Up until about the past year, I'd generally associated writing with cranking out papers and research that someone else demanded of me.

Here's another secret. I finally realized I liked to write when I nearly completed the first draft of a memoir. I got to 233 pages and put it down for awhile because I wanted it to sit and percolate. For the past year, I've been getting up early before work to write. I started another book because I enjoyed writing the memoir so much, and continue to work on that. Though I'm not "published," I am a lot more courageous as a writer and know that if I put my mind to it, little by little, I can do it!!

I can't explain the healing and insightfulness you gain from writing. It is *magical*, just like the people on HubPages that have made this community what it is.

These people have all left me fan mail, which lets me know as a writer that someone was touched by my writing or comments on HubPages enough to give me personal feedback. For that, I am deeply grateful.

Ardie - You were my first follower. I'll never forget the instant encouragement you provided me. I know that HubPages is better because of you.

mljdgulley354 - Thank you for the HP welcome.

eye say - I'm still writing. :D

KBEvolve - I'm glad that you will still read my hubs even if you're not always interested in the topic. That's one of the greatest compliments a writer can have!

proudmama - I appreciate the welcome.

starstream - I love reading the questions you pose and even being able to answer some of them.

klurbauer - thank you for the good and informative feedback. :)

Kris Heeter - I continue to hope you're enjoying my hubs. :D

Denise Handlon - Namaste to you!

rasta1 - I am still feeling the "natural" vibe.

DFW TEEN VOICE - thank you for reading my hubs!

A.A. Zavala - I will try to continue covering many topics and interests in my hubs.

Movie Master - thank you for becoming a fan, and I enjoy your hubs, too.

dumindu89 - thank you for the welcome to HP

Sinea Pies - I'm so touched that you liked the gift-wrap hub. I enjoy your hubs, too!!

Beata Stasak - a fellow artist, gardener and teacher. I feel the love.

GoodLady - I love your enthusiasm, too!

That Grrl - I just love your ideas, too!

Patty Inglish, MS - I knew when I got to HubPages that I had to go to your pages and really look at how you do things - you're the one to emulate. :) You're amazing.

Outbound Dan - I've enjoyed your hubs on hiking and snowshoeing - keep up the good work!

Kenneth Avery - you are too kind to say such kind things on my page. I *truly* appreciate your presence here on HubPages.

nextgoodthing - I love your profile pic - the turtle is a symbol of long life and is truly a sacred animal. Your hubs are incredible, too!

stephhicks68 - thank you for the welcome!! You're another person that I look to and emulate for great Hubs!

saddlerider1 - I indeed have found so much great support and I appreciate your leaving me fan mail.

itsmonkeyboy - thank you for the follow and have you made some lentil soup yet? :)

waleeds - thank you for the follow and reading my Hub of the Day!

Yaduvanshi - Hi! - right back at ya. :)

Nancy Owens - You have a great writing style, too. I am enjoying your hubs!

Fenn - I love your work!

Injured lamb - you, too, are blessed. Peace!

tammyswallow - I'm enjoying your hubs, neighbor!

Victoria Lynn - Agarra tus suenos! Sigue siendo asi. :)

twentyfive - I'm happy to follow you, too!

Escobana - Your hubs make me think about "you put the lime in the coconut and shake it all up..." You know that song?

tarajeyaram - you have done well, friend, in your time here on HubPages - here's to our new journey on HP!

missolive - Yo soy tambien tu amiga. Abrazos!! You, too, have done well here at HP with your amazing hubs!!

alocsin - I look forward to seeing your future hubs, too!!

Azure11 - You've got great advice for new Hubbers!

Goody5 - the 100th follower. *And I am honored* Nor will I ever forget. :)

I also want to thank Simone Smith and ladyjane1 for their hard work. I know it takes a lot of time to read through different hubs and then comment. Then, you still go looking for Hubs of the Day and HubNuggets. You both have helped to make HP an incredible place, along with all the rest of the HubPages Staff and Elite community. I am thrilled to be a part of all this!

I wanted to say a final thank you to my followers. Without your support, I wouldn't be writing this email. You are all generous and thoughtful people and I am grateful.