GIRL ON 9 ACRES
Building a Memoir
My first reaction to Mom's Parkinsons diagnosis in November 2023 was disbelief. My mom, the one who backpacks the Goat Rock Mountains, faithfully walks her 10,000 steps, and tends a garden the size of New Hampshire is supposed to live forever! She is fierce, hilarious, whip smart, and a gifted musician but most of all, she is my person. And so I find myself in a frenzied whirlwind of creativity for my momma; sewing quilts, singing loudly, dancing badly and feverishly writing a poetry memoir.
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Thankfully, a wise friend made this brilliant suggestion; instead of creating a memoir FOR my mother, why not create one WITH her?Just like that, this picture and poetry story was born with mom as my official creative partner and collaborator; sharing, editing and contributing her own poems and songs along with mine.
Together we are building this memoir, piece by piece. As my college speech professor once said: "The process is more important than the finished task." Dr. Dickinson, you were correct. The process of creating this project brings us closer every time we share "remember when" stories, belly aching giggles, and unexpected tears as the stories and songs take shape. The process has become the greatest gift.
I love you Momma! You are my sunshine.
as a lover of art and the natural world
I embrace adventure and revel in creativity for creativities sake because survival is not enough.
as a survivor
of breast cancer and loss, my life experiences form the inspirational backstop that supports my writing
as an activist
I march for the under-represented and marginalized communities of the world.
LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE
as a teacher
I delight in watching others discover how to embrace healing, confidence, and the joy of learning.
as a writer
I stand in awe of this one life, forever reaching for the words that will accurately paint a likeness of the history I feel in my bones.
"If I waited for perfection, I'd never write a word."
-Margaret Atwood