
Soon after the death of our son, Kevin, I sat down at my desk, opened a new journal and with pen in hand just stared at the blank pages. I wanted to write something of what I was experiencing, but I could not seem to find my voice and where to begin? I struggled to find the words and the blank pages intimated me, so I closed the journal and sobbed.
It took several attempts at writing in that journal, before I could find the words and get past the concern that someone might read that journal filled with pain and sorrow - what kind of legacy would that be - what good could come from such a documentation of misery?
Little did I know that in writing, I would not only find my voice, but that it would be used as a pathway to healing and peace. That first journal began an account of my journey from the "edge of the tomb, to the edge of Eternity" and I have filled the pages of many more journals through the years.
Recently, one of my precious granddaughters (you know who you are) and I enjoyed a special lunch date. She shared all that was going on in her life (and it's all good!). She also shared that she has started writing her "story" about the pain and suffering she experienced in the aftermath of a horrifying incident that robbed her of her youthful innocence. What a blessing (and answer to my prayers) it was to hear that she has found her voice again, and that she is ready to write something of her journey through the pain.
As I read what she wrote, I wept, but the tears were not just because it hurt me to learn more about what she experienced at such a young, vulnerable age, but also because I mourned the loss of her innocence and chiildhood that should not have been interrupted by the evil that entered her world and, as she says "changed my life." I know that writing will help in her healing, and I want to be that encourager and mentor to support and help her continue to write - she may just have the gift!
One of our daughter-in-law's brother is engaged to a successful, well-known writer in Hollywood and she has recently written the screenplay for a new movie "Mr Church," which will be released on September 16th starring Eddie Murphy in a serious role that is uncommon to him. The storyline is partially based on some of the screenwriter's personal story of how she was encouraged and inspired to be a writer, and she most certainly possesses a passion and gift and talent for writing. I can't wait to see the movie!!!
This interest and passion for writing seems to be in our family's genes. My great-grandmother was a poet, my Dad had a "way with words," our oldest grandaughter was encouraged to pursue a vocation in writing at age 7 by a teacher who believed she had the "gift," my niece is an excellent writer and her son is a talented, craeative writer, as well. I have a passion for and am compelled to write, and I am rejoicing that another of our grandchildren is now writing.
When I was young, I wanted to be a writer - an author of a book, the writer of a play or screenplay, but there was no one to encourage or mentor me, as I was encouraged and trained to be a singer/actor. Though, I did enjoy acting out a story, portraying a character and singing, it has always been the stories that move and inspire me. Words and stories are very important to me. I am stimulated by a good conversation, enjoy doing a word study while reading a book or the Bible, and I can't get enough of a good storyline with interesting characters and plots.
I have often thought of joining a writer's group, but am hesitant in following through, because I feel inadequest and have had no formal training in writing. This Fall/Winter I will host a Tea/Book Group, which I am really looking forward to, and I know that I HAVE to write and have found A Mother Like Me Heart to Heart Blogs to be an outlet that unlocks the writer in me.
"I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things that I am afraid of." -Joss Whedon
For The Writer in YOU,
Angie "a mom like you"
www.amotherlikeme.info
amotherlikeme@gmail.com