Just yesterday, I was honored with a new award nomination, and I realized it was time to address them. In the beginning, I felt unworthy, didn’t understand the process.
Enter the lovely Christine Robinson. She and I were fairly new, and we read each others posts religiously. I will always be grateful for that early support; she is special to me.
She recognized me with 3 awards that I stashed away for later. She knew it was a way to get more followers, more attention to your blog. I wasn’t ready.
Others followed, and I was always grateful, but did not devote the time to answer the questions, or select favorite bloggers to pass along the award. Teacher’s pets…always difficult for me.
The perfect award to me is the act of reading and commenting. Still not sure I’ll play by the rules; maybe will not post them permanently, but I would like to acknowledge those who took the effort to nominate me, and thank them sincerely once again here. Van
Nominated by Christine at Before Sundown. November, 2014
Nominated by Christine at Before Sundown. January, 2015
Nominated by Christine at Before Sundown. February,2015 and Angie Mc at Family Love Does More. March, 2015
Nominated by by ButchCountry67. March, 2015 and Erika Kind. May, 2015
Nominated by Melinda at Looking for the Light. April, 2015
Nominated by Izzy-grabs-life. May, 2015
Nominated by ButchCountry67. May, 2015
Nominated by Erika Kind. July 2015
Nominated by Shrewed Up. July 2015 ***
*** With special thanks for the most recent award, and for getting me to finally post these.
vanbytheriver 
I can so relate to this post. I have been nominated on several occasions and it just feels awkward to me and I haven’t responded. I like your approach. Maybe it will inspire me to stop procrastinating and do something similar. Great idea.
Thanks, Amy. I stored them on a draft as I received them, not sure what I’d do. It seemed like time. ☺
http://cerobinsonauthor.com/2015/07/08/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Yes, we simply love you, Van 🙂 Congratulations to all the nominations and thank you for mentioning me 🙂 ❤
My pleasure, Erika, thanks for the nominations. 💕
You are very welcome ☺
Congratulations! Like you,I never know what to do with these nominations mainly because I feel uncomfortable. You bring up an interesting solution.
It seemed like a pretty good compromise. Thanks, George ☺
I can also relate and used to feel so awkward. I’ve come to think of these awards not as “pageants and coronations” but as ways to connect with others, learn about them and share ourselves. They are links that build relationship, and in that respect, they’re great. Perhaps the word “award” throws people off versus “Challenge or Tagging.” Regardless your sentiments are sweet and the notice well-deserved 🙂
Very kind, as always, Diana. Thanks, I do agree it’s a great way to build your blog and connect with new folks. I guess I just wasn’t ready to add new readers, the obligation to reciprocate can be overwhelming at times. ☺☺
I’m working through that now too. My blog is growing and I’m spending a lot of time reading and commenting…which all comes out of writing and family time. The elusive search for balance 🙂
Please advise when you figure out how to find that balance. ☺
Oh. Don’t hold your breath, Van. I’m usually the last one to figure these things out 😀
☺ You are not alone. ☺
Congratulations on the recognition those awards signify. I think the awards are a nice way to build community, encourage blog hopping and express interest in the writing of others. I’m naturally self-effacing so I appreciate the awkwardness of it all but I’m glad you’ve posted now.
The timing just seemed about right, Laura, thanks for your sweet comment. ☺
Congrats on all the awards, Van.You definitely deserve them. I personally don’t participate in awards, but I understand how important they are for other bloggers.
It’s hard to know how to proceed sometimes; love the recognition, but am really bad about “following the rules”. Thanks for the congrats, Julie. 💕
You have a crown upon your head dear Van , and you are so lovely in how you share the dazzle of a heart so kind …thank you for showing us those jewels and I’m so happy for you , congratulations dear friend …love and hugs , megxxx
The crown was getting a bit heavy, it was time to share it. Thanks and many hugs in return, Meg. 💕
Congratulations on all the awards, Van. They certainly are a great way to gain new followers and find many new blogs to follow. I had fun with them when I accepted them, but have now gone ‘award free’, so that followers can nominate and promote another blogger instead of me.
It does seem to make more sense, Hugh, when you are a new blogger. Later, it might get to be overwhelming…I don’t know how folks keep up !! I admire the effort…but there may be an award-free blog in my future. Thanks. ☺
This is a great thing to do. Awards are wonderful, but there is always the problems of choosing among so many friends when making nominations, I feel so rewarded by a heartfelt comment!
Me too, Linda, me too !! ☺
Wow congrats on all the nominations… You’ve commented and liked so many of my posts, and I haven’t had the time to check out your blog fully, but I’ve caught up today, I’m glad I followed! Thanks for being such an amazing member of my small (but growing) community 🙂
My pleasure. ☺
Van, WOW…you finally did it! I’m so impressed with your creative awards thank you post. You deserved every on of them. I believe as you do that the perfect award is the act of reading and commenting! And you don’t need to “play by the rules.” I don’t any more! Yes, I thought of going back to an award-free blog, but when nominated by young adult bloggers, I feel compelled to support and promote them! And when there’s a challenge or blogfest, well, I can’t say no! But, I don’t play by the rules in writing up the acceptance blog post. No awards police have darkened my computer screen, yet! I’d say have fun with them! Respond to your special group of followers where you find “reciprocity.” There will be many who follow you and never read you blog post after you click their follow back button. They are the number collectors! You’ll figure it out as your follower numbers grow. It took me a while to get it! Thank you for the mention that I was the nominator of awards back when we were beginning bloggers! Yep, I’m so happy we’re still good blogger friends! I love reading your blog posts and your comments on other blog sites. We seem to run in the same Blogosphere circles! Tons of hugs! Christine
Thanks for your typically lovely response, Christine, there is so much wisdom here in your thoughtful comment. I have for sure found my inner circle of bloggers, and am so glad you are still here. Wishing you well on all your writing projects, but always glad to see you return to WP now and again. Still a believer.❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Hugs back to you. Van
You deserve all of the awards that go around BloggyVille, Van. You are one of our finest for your heart and soul and genuine way with your words. Congratulations, my good friend, and fly the flags proudly!
Thanks so much, that means a lot coming from you, Mark…one of the best out there in BloggyVille !
p.s. You have superlative journalist skills, I’m shocked no one has zapped you up in the job market yet. Don’t know if you even want that…freelance might be better for you ??
Thank you for your faith and support, Van. There’s just not that much full-time journalism work here in Syracuse, but Im still looking hard in parallel fields, and doing the best I can with the freelance. 🙂 And you are kicking some serious writing butt. ❤
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