The Salvation Army

Today I spoke to a creative writing class at the Salvation Army. I read to them passages from my book.  I wanted them to know that writing a poem, a passage, a letter or a book doesn't have to be therapeutic. Sometimes its about exposing those who have hurt us. Sometimes its about standing up and announcing to the world, "It's my story, I lived it, I survived it and I WILL tell it!" I saw the demeanor changes taking place when they realized I wasn't just another person coming there to say 'niceties' about how they can change their lives. Hope is a wonderful thing and that is what the Salvation Army offers all people.

To Lose A Parent

#365letters
What will I write to this young man who lost his dad? That was the question when I was given his name. 'ME' who has had 2 mothers and 3 fathers and NONE to whom I associate. And then..........my daughter is currently facing the impending death of her grandfather. My ex-husband is sitting bedside as the immediate caregiver to his Dad. He is listening to his ragged breaths, he is listening to him tell God, "Not yet, there is unfinished business." My child mourns for her grandfather and she mourns for her father who will suffer the loss of his 2nd parent. Soon............my daughter will become the comforter to her daddy who will weep with pain.
FINAL.

Moving to the beach

#365letters Tonight is my last night in the house I have called home for 3 years. Though I am thrilled to spend the summer on the beach I will miss the familiarity of 'here.' I will miss the evenings when I sit at my desk writing while SummerBreeze sleeps nearby. She is laying in the chair not knowing everything changes tomorrow. Tonight I wrote letter #123 to a man who recently lost his dad. I have been thinking of my Buddy. It was in this house where we last spent time together. I emptied the jewelry box that he put together for me. I will take his heart where ever I go. I love you Brother.

To lose a child

Tonight my fingers rest on the keys unable to make a stroke on the computer screen. What do I write to a young mother who has lost her baby? 11years ago my own child was in a serious car accident. I remember every moment of that day. I arrived home from a trip to CO. I pulled a suitcase over the threshold, arriving just in time to hear the telephone ring. I still had ahold of the luggage handle when I reached across the breakfast bar to lift the receiver from the cradle. It was the call.........the one where time stops and the ringing in your head almost deafens the words being delivered to your ear.