Shell, do you agree that the best thing about "The Worst Thing That Ever Happened To Me" is that it is in your past? You got over it. It is no more.
You can always bring back the memory and feed and nurture it, but that is a choice you do not have to make. Sort of like the expression, "Let sleeping dogs lie." Leave the memories, or look at them through the lens of the fact of them being in your P-A-S-T.
I am still mulling over your comment. Yes, for the most part, I agree. But sometimes I don’t feel I got over something—like it’s still lurking around. Writing does help put it to sleep with the rest of the sleeping dogs. 😉
I think there is also a time for stories that are never shared. I have foun great value in wrting a page and burning it. But I do strive to make as much of my journey visible as I believe will be helpful to others.
Wow! Shell you weave words that are like old tunes performed by today's songsters and instrumentalists: those musical notes take me back to when I first heard them. I, too, recall my mom reading those books to me and my siblings. One of my great laments today, is that today's kids have a device in their hands that entertains them, instead of the Grimm's Fairy Tales or Peter Pan or all my favorite books. I can still hear my mom's voice reading with great expression. The iPads, and Tablets are a very poor substitute.
I agree! I think (I hope) that the pendulum is swinging back the other way as I notice many of my daughter’s 30-something friends avoiding technology for kids and collecting great books for their little libraries. Ahhh beautiful.
As I read your writing I’m quickly drawn into a vortex that is both stimulating and yet very familiar. Those associations of “hidden stuff” with “hurtful stuff” that you bring forward fits my story. It’s comforting that you are so gifted to tap into all generations.GG
"I still display that Fairy Tale book in my home, so happy I held onto it after my parents passed." Same for me except it's Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon. I too have an original 1954 copy - still my favorite book (Harold's imagination is incomparable!), but it may be worth $1mm (probably isn't), it will never be for sale as long as I'm alive! Shell, your story is great in and of itself! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you for this post. I do have some "files" that are locked in my memory. I visualize them as having a big red PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL stamp on them. But as writers, we know that unlocking those stories - and more importantly the vulnerability behind them - are the ones that touch readers. and make them feel something. And isn't that what we strive to do when we write? So, maybe some day, when I am feeling braver, those files will be unlocked.
Shell, do you agree that the best thing about "The Worst Thing That Ever Happened To Me" is that it is in your past? You got over it. It is no more.
You can always bring back the memory and feed and nurture it, but that is a choice you do not have to make. Sort of like the expression, "Let sleeping dogs lie." Leave the memories, or look at them through the lens of the fact of them being in your P-A-S-T.
Just a thought.
I am still mulling over your comment. Yes, for the most part, I agree. But sometimes I don’t feel I got over something—like it’s still lurking around. Writing does help put it to sleep with the rest of the sleeping dogs. 😉
I think there is also a time for stories that are never shared. I have foun great value in wrting a page and burning it. But I do strive to make as much of my journey visible as I believe will be helpful to others.
Yeah, you’re right there. Not everything needs to be said. For sure if it’s not beneficial for others, for growth or insight.
Yeah, you’re right there. Not everything has to be said. For sure—if it is not beneficial for others & for growth or insight.
Wow! Shell you weave words that are like old tunes performed by today's songsters and instrumentalists: those musical notes take me back to when I first heard them. I, too, recall my mom reading those books to me and my siblings. One of my great laments today, is that today's kids have a device in their hands that entertains them, instead of the Grimm's Fairy Tales or Peter Pan or all my favorite books. I can still hear my mom's voice reading with great expression. The iPads, and Tablets are a very poor substitute.
I agree! I think (I hope) that the pendulum is swinging back the other way as I notice many of my daughter’s 30-something friends avoiding technology for kids and collecting great books for their little libraries. Ahhh beautiful.
Thank you for your kind words. 😊
Yep. Nice
As I read your writing I’m quickly drawn into a vortex that is both stimulating and yet very familiar. Those associations of “hidden stuff” with “hurtful stuff” that you bring forward fits my story. It’s comforting that you are so gifted to tap into all generations.GG
That makes me so happy—to reach a range of generations.
"I still display that Fairy Tale book in my home, so happy I held onto it after my parents passed." Same for me except it's Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon. I too have an original 1954 copy - still my favorite book (Harold's imagination is incomparable!), but it may be worth $1mm (probably isn't), it will never be for sale as long as I'm alive! Shell, your story is great in and of itself! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you so much for your comment. It is very meaningful to me & makes my day. 😊
Thank you for this post. I do have some "files" that are locked in my memory. I visualize them as having a big red PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL stamp on them. But as writers, we know that unlocking those stories - and more importantly the vulnerability behind them - are the ones that touch readers. and make them feel something. And isn't that what we strive to do when we write? So, maybe some day, when I am feeling braver, those files will be unlocked.
Oh yes! I hope so for both you & me. Be brave! 💪
Thank you for your comment.