On Saturday I went with my husband to a local writer’s group. Their website is called Writer’s Forum and I think they have a blog on WordPress. Here is their web address. http://reddingwritersforum.com/ Check them out! First, though, read on!

I met some really great people there on Saturday. And as God would have it, the most interesting person I met, Dale Angel, a very sweet older lady was coming into Barnes and Noble yesterday as I was leaving. We talked for awhile and exchanged phone numbers. So…I think I have made a new friend! I’m excited. She loves to talk, as I do, too!

She shared on Saturday that her family, her children and grandchildren, seem to be too busy to listen to all of her stories about the long life she has lived so far. She thought it was sad that they were too busy to listen to her tell them about her heritage. I told her I understood, although, my kids listen to me most of the time. However, I don’t have grandchildren yet, so I suppose I don’t understand exactly how she feels…yet.

When I was a teenager, my grandmother, Clarice (my mom’s mom), would come and stay with us for extended visits. Her husband, my grandfather, died when I was one. So she went to live with her oldest daughter, my Aunt Juanita. She took care of my cousin Stewart so my aunt could work as a nurse. After he was a teenager, she came to stay with us on and off. She also stayed with my other aunt, Dot, who was my mom’s younger sister sometimes.

Since my dad and my Uncle Jim, Dot’s husband, were both alcoholics, I think she felt uncomfortable around them. However, she loved my mom, me and my brothers and her other daughter and my cousins. So she made the best of her living circumstances whenever she was with either of our families.

Anyway, I remember pulling up a chair to help her peel potatoes or sitting next to her on the couch and asking her to tell me a story about what growing up was like for her. I don’t remember her talking much about her own childhood, though, just what it was like raising my mom and her sisters. I wish she had. I know her husband was very harsh and strict, but my mom said they really loved each other and her and her sisters. I recall that she talked a lot about how mischevious my mom and her sisters were growing up.

I was writing poetry at that age already, but it never dawned on me to write about my family heritage. Oh how I wish I had! So I guess today’s post has this message for all of you writers out there.

WRITE ABOUT YOUR FAMILIES! WRITE! WRITE! WRITE!

I guarantee that there are many people out there who want to read what you have to say. Even if your family had many problems as mine did growing up, you can still share your stories and encourage others. I hope the story I shared the other day didn’t stir up bad feelings for anyone who may have faced something like suicide in their family. The story was fiction, but the tension in the father and son’s relationship was based on my father and oldest brother, which was very real. However, my dad did not commit suicide. He died peacefully in his sleep.

Have a wonderful day and give someone you love a big hug!! 🙂