MEMOIR
My Love of Words
Writing daily has enhanced the quality of my life
“I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.” — James A. Michener
I recently began writing again as a form of self-therapy after my husband, and I became empty-nesters.
I initially commenced writing sporadically several years earlier to help me cope with the grief over my father’s passing.
It has proven to be hugely cathartic to sit down with my thoughts and my iPad and compose a piece of writing to share with others.
It frees my mind from the mental clutter. When I write, I can leave all my worries, anxieties, and fears at the door.
I wake up every day looking forward to writing. Taking on a daily writing habit has helped me to get in touch with my authentic self.
It has helped me to identify my strengths and weaknesses. Self-reflection and expressive writing have given me greater clarity, purpose, and meaning in how I live and work.
Revisit Memories
‘We write to taste life twice, in the moment and retrospect.” — Anais Nin
It is lovely to revisit old memories through my writing. I can lose myself entirely in the process.
I can travel back in time to a particular year or a particular period in my life and write about it.
I can relish a glorious experience or wash away a troublesome memory. I can go back to my childhood.
I can make my children little again. I can even bring my late father back to life.
Reading Books
“Books and doors are the same thing. You open them, and you go through into another world.” — Jeanette Winterson
I can draw a similar parallel to reading a fantastic book. I am transported to a world different from my own. I can picture the characters vividly in my mind.
I become so immersed in the characters and their stories that I completely lose myself. I lose all sense of time.
Sometimes when a particular story comes to my mind, I cannot remember if I saw it in a film or read it in a book.
I am in awe of the beauty of word pairings and the power of word choices. I love how words, phrases, and sentences blend to create beautiful semantic stories.
My Father and Writing
“Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever.” — Author Unknown
My relationship with words began at an early age when my father introduced me to books. I have warm memories of Dad reading books to me before I learned how to read.
Dad also used to help me edit my essays for middle school English. Indeed, I credit my father for allowing me to hone my writing craft.
When I write, I can feel my father’s hands guiding my fingers on the keyboard. It is as if he is imploring me to continue writing.
I would even go so far as to say I am emulating his writing style, albeit subconsciously.
Dad was a voracious reader and a marvelous writer. If I can be half as good a writer as him, it would be a great accomplishment.
Life Experiences
“We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.” — John Dewey
It is a beautiful feeling to put pen to paper and to let the ideas flow.
Time whizzes by me when I write. Before I know it, several hours have elapsed.
All the people I have met and all the places I have visited factor into my writing. I have lived in six states, five countries, and four continents.
My life experiences are the basis for my stories, and I believe my stories are worth telling.
I write whatever comes to mind, and I always enjoy the process.
Final Thoughts
“Life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.” — Peter Hagerty
I am only just beginning my journey as a writer and realize I still have a long way to go in terms of my writing abilities.
However, I also know that I am constantly evolving as a writer.
Who knows where my journey will lead?
I have to trust in the process.
Thankfully, there will never be an end to what we can write about as long as we are alive and breathing our last bit of air.
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