No talking “out of turn.” Understand? But no, the loquacious child doesn’t understand because she has something to say.
One would think that sitting in a classroom, writing one hundred times, “I must not talk in school, I must not talk in school…” would sabotage any desire to become a writer. Right?
Writers are deep in their souls didacts who itch to deliver the Unvarnished Truth and cannot help but unburden themselves of that which burns in their hearts. Writers are preachers.
~ Brain Doyle
Meet a child who adores her Tell a Tale book, A Child’s 10 Commandments. This little book on character building inspires her to be a better person, and she in turn hopes to inspire others. So what does she do but copy the book verbatim…
Word for word she writes the commandments on blue-lined notebook paper and turns it in to her teacher first thing next morning.
Ms. Lewder sits behind her central desk, peering down through tortoise frames and marveling at this child’s stroke of genius.
“You wrote this? Her teacher asks. But of course; it is her student’s handwriting.
What a mastermind to meddle with the schedule and come up with a way to interrupt class… and get to talk too! The teacher is so impressed (not by the schedule distraction but by the child’s composition) that she asks the girl to stand and read her masterpiece aloud.
Then she escorts her down the hall from classroom to classroom like two witnesses on a divine mission. Nothing like one captive audience after another… Until a boy at the back of the last classroom mumbles, “I’ve got that book at home.”
That’s when the girl wants the floor to open up and swallow her whole…and is surprised that it doesn’t. Lucky for her the teacher can’t hear the boy, so proud she is of her own student’s voluntary labor of love and originality.
Yeah, that was me, the girl who’s known she wanted to be a writer since second grade.
And you? What did you want to be when you grew up?
Really? You had to write that too – I was once tied in my seat by a nun-– and if I had a nickel for every time I was told to be quiet…
ReplyDeleteGrowing up I was more of a speaker then a writer, but always a love for words. And look how you write now – your teacher had a good eye for talent. I hearted this peak at your writing past – thank you – and God bless and keep you and each and every one of yours Debra.
I was also one to copy books and even the dictionary if only just to be able to use my pretty little colored pens and pencils. I have always been a lover of books, writing, and words in general! Once I found empty journals, and now blogging, there is no stoping me.
ReplyDeleteWhat an enchanting tale, my son has the same problem - the inability to keep from expressing himself verbally in the classroom. I keep telling him the very traits the teachers tell him off for now are the ones that will do him credit when he is older :) x
ReplyDeleteI never had a specific dream when I was a child, it changed regularly. I think that's probably why I fell into my career rather than chose it :)
Brings back memories...I was not a talker in school..well you would not know that now, I was shy...but epressed myself in my writing and art. I have been an avid reader since the beginning of time...and from as long as I can remember, there have been words flowing in my head that needed to be written down, hence I should own stocks in Journals. There should be classes and schools for the Creatively Gifted..then we would no longer have to fit into the mould...we could just create. Love you post....
ReplyDeleteAs a child, I wanted to be a writer, a dance choreographer, and a zoo keeper, not necessarily in that order and often all three at once. Then as a teen I decided I wanted to go to law school and be a judge, settled for being a lawyer, and now am in legal publishing. Now my desire has returned to being a writer, but with the addition of Inspirational Speaker to go along with it. Thanks for sharing your memory. Peace, Linda
ReplyDelete@ Craig – I SO love your childhood stories, the pathos, the humor. Sometimes I laugh at your place and sometimes I cry but I always come away inspired and blessed. About the nun who tied you to your seat… I’ll bet you were one active “fit-to-be-tied” kid. Little did that sister know you’d grow up to be a writer/teacher who blesses so many with your words and spiritual insights.
ReplyDelete@ Tia – I know another girl who copied from the dictionary when she was young. I believe that these proclivities toward certain things are innate, it’s how we’re wired, don’t you think? And yes, I loved colored pens and pencils too, and still do.
@ Sarah Jane – You are a wise and astute mom to cue Samuel in on this: that the traits unacceptable to his teachers are probably inherent strong points. This must help him cope with all the restraints of the classroom. Bright kids generally have a need to be heard, for they have so much to offer, so much to contribute.
@ Ravenmyth – Funny, but I’d never imagine you a shy child :) Even though I’ve just made your acquaintance I can’t picture you keeping silent under any circumstances – just kidding. Well, on second thought, I could see you as an angel in school, teacher’s pet and honor roll student who scribbled and drew in her spare time. But NOT until all the schoolwork was done, mind you. BTW, there are schools for the creatively gifted, albeit not enough.
Debra: Terrific site! I am your newest follower.
ReplyDelete@ Linda – This made me smile :) A writer, a dance choreographer, and a zoo keeper! LOL. What happened? You mean to say you could have been a zoo keeper, and you decide to be a lawyer??? Go on now! Legal publishing sounds good though. At least you’re still a writer, and a good one at that. I want to be an inspirational speaker too when I grow up.
ReplyDelete@ JJ – Love your site as well… and the name The Disconnected Writer. But what does it mean?
ReplyDelete“Successful People Do What Unsuccessful People Are Unwilling To Do!” My philosophy too.
I remember having to write a sentence or two, or two hundred while in school. :) Can't say writing was ever on my mind then. While I still wouldn't call myself a write, it's funny that God has directed me to write my little blog now.
ReplyDeleteHello Debra -
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent blog story. I love it.
When I was in school, I never focused on the class work. My mind continuously wandered. Sometimes I filled my time writing silly poems, stories, or funny skits, and tossing those notes to a friend. Although I wasn't doing what I was supposed to be doing, I was doing something that I loved to do. Dream on paper! Thank you. :)
https://charlienitric.wordpress.com/
@ Lisa – Writing for punishment would seem to be a surefire deterrent of any desire to write. And yet, if it’s a calling on your life you can’t really be fulfilled without it; and in your case it seems to be a joyful discipline.
ReplyDelete@ Charlie – Creative souls do that. Minds naturally wander from the subject at hand, especially if that topic is irrelevant to your interests. So, with the writing of silly poems and funny skits, it sounds like you’ve always known what you wanted to do, and are now doing with quite a passion.
I was often made to write as punishment for my tomfoolery and position as class clown, while it caused my hand to ache, it didn't help my mouth or penmanship which remains horrible :) While my writing is chicken scratch, thankfully my creativity and writing skills have enabled me to crank out a blog.
ReplyDeleteMy pipedreams were to become a professional athlete or actor but instead I'm an aircraft mechanic, oh how the mighty have fallen lol Nice post!!
David, you? Class clown? I’d have never guessed :) What sports did you play?
ReplyDeleteYou know what they say about poor penmanship… one of the characteristics of genius is sloppy handwriting. The most likely cause being that the bright kids have better things to do with their minds. How lucky for all of us with chicken-scratch handwriting that typewriters, then computers, came to our rescue. And now we have blog outlets for our creative writing so all is well that ends well.
Loved it! What a great story, one to pass down to your children and their children.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in third grade I had the passion to be an astronaut. I wanted to explore the unknown. A few years later, I started writing poetry and fell in love with writing and realized that to explore the unknown, I never had to leave earth :)For the longest time after I wanted to be a journalist.
Until today I have not a clue what I want/wanted to be as an adult! I still think of myself as a kid (sometimes)I have taken on many roles or jobs... From make up artist, beautician, Montessori teacher, Spa manager and now yoga Instructor..........
ReplyDeleteAs a mother I tell my kids to never allow their passion to be buried... to always stay connected within the heart... that is their true guide....
Nice to read your post again
Jessica, how interesting to learn that in third grade you had a passion to be an astronaut… and why am I not surprised by this since you still seek to explore the unknown and soar to heights unseen, metaphysically speaking?
ReplyDeleteSame here; I fell in love with poetry too, and here’s my first rhyme.
When I was young and not quite tame
I played a favorite game.
I lined my dollies in a row,
called each one by his name.
And pointing my index finger
at each and every one,
I preached to them a sermon
until their souls were won.
@ Savira – Wise advice to your children, to let their hearts be their guide… no pressures to conform to societies demands… no need to keep up with the Joneses… just stay connected to the heart. Your life experience sounds like mine; I feel like I’ve done it all too. Never have been a beautician though. Or a spa manager… or a make-up artist. And God knows I’d never make it as a yoga instructor since my balance poses are so pitiful:(
ReplyDeleteHi Debra:
ReplyDeleteI sometimes have a really warped sense of humor and my movie tastes like my taste in books run the gamut. I'm reminded of Wedding Crashers with this post because my FIRST thought is:
I'm livin' the dream.
One of the characters said it.
I AM livin' the dream, Debra. From a VERY early age I KNEW I wanted to be in the book field, whether writing or reading. And ya know what? I'm doing both! And I'm getting paid for one of them. I get paid to read. How AWESOME is that?
I'm writing too. I'm confidant the money will follow my writing as well. I'm completely blessed. My life is amazing and I'm so grateful for all the treasures I've been given.
Be Happy! Be Well! Be Positive!
Blessings to you.
--
Chris
I love this story. I got in trouble, not for talking, but for conspiring and passing notes I wrote in code. My version of hieroglyphics. I didn't write much back then because I was in some obscure experimental English program which pushed reading and learning language arts via reading. Good and bad. Good because I am a read-holic, bad because I hadn't a clue was a dangling participle was... I found writing through letter writing but that was later, long after grade school.I used to copy words and sentences from books I read. I wonder if that is when I thought about writing... As ever, lovely, thoughtful post. You always make me ponder.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, I was reading through the comments and came across your first verse. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteSo cute your post: I made that mistake too, when i was young, thinking that copying the book was writing the book! Seems logical enough...
My mom read poetry to me as a young girl, I started writing poetry seriously when I was a teen, but still did not know I wanted to be a POET.
As a girl I started out wanting to be a teacher, then for the longest time I wanted to be a psychiatrist. I eventually bumped that down to psychologist 'cuz I did not want to do med school, then realized that majoring in psychology would be too hard. So the easy thing to do was major in English as I could write a paper in my sleep (and I often did). At that time I considered myself to be a Writer, destined to write fiction.
I've written tons of poetry through the years, but it was not until about three years ago that I began to actually consider myself a poet.
@ Chris - I’ve never seen Wedding Crashers. Is this a comedy? It sounds like it might be. Love the phrase, “I’m living the dream,” especially because I AM living my dream too. These aren’t just words to me. And now I’m trying to help my daughter find her place in this world. My dream for her is to live her dream too. Would you suggest this movie for her? She’s 16.
ReplyDeleteAbout your job… How cool is that to be paid to read! I hope it’s writing you enjoy reading :) I’ve read stuff that makes me cringe :( On several occasions I’ve been asked to edit manuscripts, and ended up returned them after 2 or 3 chapters because the writing was beyond pitiful. Anyway, it’s always inspiring to hear of those who are living the dream, like you Chris. And yes, the money will follow your writing. Have you written a book? If not, have you considered it?
@ Brenda – In the blog world it takes all kinds :) When I read your comment it was just LOL. Passing notes in code, your form of hieroglyphics, is adorable. Now on to English composition and writing and dangling participles… Why, in our educational system, does EVERYTHING have to be dissected, diagramed, compartmentalized, identified, dichotomized….? Never mind. I already know why.
But the real question is: how often, in your adult life, have you needed to know what a dangling participle is? All anyone needs to know is how to construct sentences that are grammatically correct. And this is best accomplished by reading quality writing. We just learn naturally what is good and bad writing structure when we read.
@ Sweepy – Yes it does seem logical to think that copying the book is the same as writing the book. This was before we reached the developmental age of reason. Of course later we learn about plagiarism and know better, thankfully, or we’d be in hot water :( Can you even imagine us doing that now? OMG.
You sound exactly like me, changing your mind over and over about what you wanted to do for a living. A teacher, a psychiatrist (if you didn’t have to go to medical school :) I wonder how many major in English because it’s the natural route for those who love writing and words…
I read an interesting blog not long ago on poetry and poets. If I can find it again, I’ll send it to you. I think you’d appreciate it.
What a fun story Debra!
ReplyDeleteI got in my share of trouble as a young man, but thankfully was never given writing as punishment that I remember. I was never a big fan of writing when I was younger, so I find it interesting that writing my blog each day has become such a calling for me.
Thank you for sharing this with us!
Have a Blessed Day!
Hi Debra:
ReplyDelete--NO Wedding Crashers is probably NOT for your 16 year old daughter. Google it and you'll probably see why. It's an EXTREMELY funny movie starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. Kinda raunchy though, which is why I said:
I sometimes have a really warped sense of humor.
--I actually HAVE written...
...I have two finished novels and one rough draft done of a third. They're NOT going anywhere though. Grew tired of writing in the genre the books are written in. I was published sporadically in the small press in the early 1990's. But I no longer write in that genre. I've done some editing myself and I enjoyed that more than I did writing.
FINALLY found my niche w/my blog. My blog gave me my love of writing back. So grateful for that!
Be Happy! Be Well! Be Positive!
Blessings to you.
--
Chris
@ Phil – Yours is the only blog I’ve seen – but there are probably others unbeknownst to me out there – that is written in the form of prayer, which you are gracious enough to share with your readers, and in doing so, encourage and inspire. ~ Blessings
ReplyDelete@ Chris – thanks for the heads up on Wedding Crashers, so I’ll know NOT to watch it with my daughter. I’m with you: thankful for the venue of online, instantaneous publishing. Everything else almost seems old school to me now. I have a novel, a short story and poetry collection, a stack of essays and memoir writing, all hiding in manuscript boxes in an upstairs hall closet. Oh well. I’ve felt no inclination to go the conventional route and try to work the publishing industry with these. And it sounds like you’re on the same wavelength. But we are predestined to get exactly where we’re supposed to be with our writing. Cheers!
i had my thoughts directed towards the arts particularly on drawing and being a part of musical plays... but when i grew up, i didn't pursue them much as a career because my parents see it unfit and impractical... i became a nurse... and it's my second vocation... i love taking care of people...
ReplyDeletethe same goes for my brother who writes very well and became a doctor...
i discovered my writing skills when i was in high school and i wrote well not for myself but because i loved my teacher who truly inspired me to grow...i still remember her name ;)
Melissa – Are you glad now that your parents helped make that decision for you? It does sound like you are suited for the medical profession, as is your brother. And you can always pursue the arts on the side, and act in community musicals. We have a couple here, one for the youth, and another for adults. My daughter has been active in youth theatre.
ReplyDeleteYour teacher in high school who encouraged your writing was a godsend, as you are still writing and blessing others with your inspiring words. Kudos to the teacher who did her job well!
When I was about 4, I wanted to be a nurse like the one with the cool white dress and cap at my doctor's office. When I was five, I saw a couple of nuns in their beautiful habits and decided I wanted to be a nun! Do you see a trend here? LOL Later, I wanted to be a fashion designer, and by the time I graduated from high school, I wanted to be a doctor and go save the world's children on the Good Ship Hope. But at the same time, from a pretty young age, empty paper excited me. The desire to write was there, as well. And I still enjoy it. Some things were just meant to be.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Orea
http://orea-highervoice.blogspot.com/
I love this story!! You sound like a young innovator, outsmarting even your teacher! These are the kinds of turning point experiences that make or break people - often forcing the creative spark out of a child. It sounds like you held your own.
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to be a writer as a little girl. When I was a teenager, I thought I would do that through journalism. But in university, realized journalism and reporting wasn't my thing, so I became a writer of a different sort - doing community-based research and evaluation. Although I love my work, it still doesn't make my heart sing the way those early stories did as a child, so I'm now learning to come back to that old childhood dream.
@ Orea – Too funny! I do see a trend indeed. You wanted to be a healer, a spiritual guide, and you desired to save all the children. But where does fashion designing play into all of this :) … a career that seems incongruent with all the healing ambitions? The Good Ship Hope…. real, or imaginary?
ReplyDeleteAt least now you are able to integrate all of the above with your writing. And I’m still able to preach and save the world with mine :)
@ Kristen – It’s a miracle I was able to hold onto that creative spark. I believe it’s these childhood memories that help us reclaim our natural gifts and callings.
It’s interesting how the process of individuation leads us back to our childhood dreams. You have an excellent writing gift, able to capture the imagination and spiritually inspire with your words. I hope and pray that we always pursue that which what makes our heart sing.
And this precocious little girl grew up to be a lovely woman..who is a great writer and whose words inspire me (and many others) to be a better person...in turn to inspire others!! Thank you for being you, dear Debra.
ReplyDeleteI'm living my dream of being a housewife and writing.....Isn't life wonderful?
In the fascinating book "White Bears and Other Unwanted Thoughts" Daniel M. Wegner explains the subconscious mind is oblivious to the word "not" as in “I must not talk in school, I must not talk in school…” Your unwitting teacher was actually training you to think, "I must talk in school, I must talk in school..." haha!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was six years old I wrote a book entitled "Annie the Onion" about a sweet & lonely onion girl who was despised by all the other vegetables because of her "horrible smells". One day Annie dresses up like a BEAUTIFUL movie star and meets a handsome onion boy named Alan. They fall in love and "All the vegetables came to the big wedding even though they had to wear clothespins on their noses."
I can't quite remember if I wanted to be anything when I was very young, but as I got older (in my 20's) I wanted to be a neurosurgeon. Unfortunately, I had a hand tremor that prevented me from my dream and became a nurse instead. No regrets of my life or the way it turned out.
ReplyDeleteBut, I do feel that sometimes the rules trample on children's dreams and desires and unfortunately may play a part in what we end up becoming in the end :)
@ Corinne – This makes my day :) Your smile alone would have done the trick. But these words of encouragement are icing on the cake. What better vocation or call in life than housewife and writer. It’s funny you use the word ‘housewife’ because I was contemplating this term a few days ago, thinking that it sounds like we are married to a house :) Are we?
ReplyDelete@ Linda – Okay, now you make me want to read Wegner’s book. Just the title “White Bears and Unwanted Thoughts” is intriguing. So he’s saying that the word ‘not’ isn’t in the subconscious-mind vocabulary?
OMG...”Annie the Onion” should be a classic! I love this story. In a world of copycats, you were/are an original. I could discern this from the first post I ever read of yours. I even told my daughter next day about it, and described to her what you were wearing for the rapture. And how cute you looked!
@ Anna – This couldn’t be more true, what you said about the system – or ‘rules’ - trampling on children’s dreams and desires and affecting the outcome of who they become. Imagine if every child were given a choice… we may have more cowboys and Indians… more princesses and kings… more fairies and pixies… more astronauts and mad scientists…. The world would be a far better place, full of genius and life!
I was the girl who sat at the back of class doing her utmost to go unnoticed - by anyone.
ReplyDeleteMy dad was a rancher and I loved horses, so when I was little I had dreams of raising horses. And of course, I had to make money with it so I decided I'd run a summer camp so city kids could come and learn how to ride and take care of horses. Well, my brother got the ranch and I went off to collage and then into the army and now I live in Alaska and write books. I never had a clue back then.
Anna – Go on! You? Shy? It must be the shy folks who gravitate toward animals :) - creatures who never judge, never talk back, never demand …. But at least YOU had horses. My dad was a farmer too, but I never had a horse. Oh, he used to promise me a pony, but he never delivered. Then I grow up and move to the heart of the city and the dream fades…
ReplyDeleteThen my daughter comes along and guess what she dreams of having? You guess it, a horse. She took riding lessons and even participated in a junior rodeo once, barrel racing and the whole nine yards.
What an awesome job Anna, teaching riding lessons and equine care to city slickers. You know that horse books in children’s literature and juvenile fiction are huge markets. You should consider writing from your experiences on the ranch.
Debra, this post made me smile and smile some more! I wanted to be a ballerina! In my mind's eye there was nothing more spectacular than a tutu, a tiara and a pink leotard! I dreamed of ballet slippers and of one day performing in the Nutcraker. And I wouldn't just by any ballerina, I would be a prima ballerina. Don't tell anyone, but whenever I'm in need of a smile or chuckle, I imagine myself dressed in ballerina attire, dancing across a stage! :)
ReplyDeleteBella – Shh… I won’t tell a soul about your little fantasy :) Not if you won’t tell about me. A friend of mine decided – now keep in mind that we’re both grown women with children – that we should take ballet because neither of us had ever had lessons. Yep, and you’ve never seen such clumsiness in your life. So I’d come home and dance in my leotards in front of the mirror every day and imagine that I was a professional. Because, to me, I looked and danced just fine.
ReplyDeleteYour post brought back memories of my punishment in school, writing I will not talk in class, 1000 times, staying back after class to complete it. LOL! What an interesting post Debra. It is amazing where life takes you, from a copying something verbatim and passing it on as your own to become a beautiful inspiring writer.
ReplyDeleteRimly – One thousand times? How harsh, keeping you after class to complete 1000 sentences. And how tired your poor hands must have been :(
ReplyDeleteWhat a miracle that you still have a passion for writing and are going strong at it. Bravo!
Debra for the longest time we were told to write whatever came to our mind - fantasy or real. It was way too much fun even then. I always wanted to be that teacher who instructed us thus. That was my ambition : )
ReplyDeleteKriti – Your teacher who allowed carte blanche writing is certainly worth emulating. These teachers are few and far between. Nowadays most use writing prompts to get the students going, as so few kids these days have any imagination and have no clue what to do unless things are prearranged.
ReplyDeleteI still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, really. Writing to me has always been a private thing, a way to express my deepest feelings in a journal. Who would've thought anyone would want to read what I write?
ReplyDeleteMy imagination for fiction writing left me when I left school, although I still read plenty of fiction. With my "Laura's Thoughts on Scripture" and "Wentworth County Quiltworks" blogs I now record journals of a different sort, but still thoughts and ideas and ideas brought to fruition.
When I was little, I wanted to be a farmer; I wanted to live in the country and have a house with lots of yellow flowers all around.
ReplyDeleteWell, I didn't become a farmer, and I don't live in town, but I do love to garden and I live on the edge of town, so that sort of counts. I also have lots of yellow flowers! :)
@ Laura – Journaling has always been private for me too, a place to record my innermost thoughts and feelings, dreams, and even prayers.
ReplyDeleteI just went over to “Laura’s Thoughts on Scripture” and commented. And look forward to checking out “Wentworth County Quiltworks” next.
@A. Marie – Because I grew up on a farm, I wanted to move as far from the rural scene as possible when I grew up. Day in, day out, I had to work until I was tired to the bone; it was like slave labor.
My mother was the one who adored flowers and planted them all over the yard. And now, in the heart of the city we have our share of lovely yellow (and purple and pink and red) and every color of flower under the sun growing in our yard. I stopped by and commented on your recent post.
Oh Me!
ReplyDeletePastor Duke – So you’ve always known you wanted to be a pastor?
ReplyDeleteGreat post Debra, I had to write too many times. I will not talk to much in school and it was always on my reports home "deborah talks to much"
ReplyDeleteI wanted to be a ballerina... and as far back as I remember I kept a journal and an art diary.
http://scattermusings.blogspot.com/2011/05/if-you-can-forgive-but.html
Debbie – weren’t those report cards intimidating? :( In trying to establish a pattern, I’d like to determine if those who had to write those dreadful sentences now enjoy writing more than most, or less?
ReplyDeleteDid you take dance lessons? Do you still keep a journal, or just blog as a journaling outlet?
I wanted to be a politician when I gew up! Specifically, I wanted to be President. I was raised in a very political family, and we talked about politics constantly. As I grew into my teen years, I became obsessively involved in politics: this was in the 1960s. Only my conversion to Jesus Christ, a month before my twentieth birthday, delivered me from a course of action that would probably have destroyed me.
ReplyDeleteBut I, too, knew that I wanted to write, and had to write, from my preteen years!
William I wonder if you’re still interested in politics, even though you no longer aspire to be a politician… Is this a part of life that you abandoned to center more on Christ, or is it possible to do both? Because I honestly don’t know. I’ve heard both sides. I know some (but few) who seem to have a passion for God and fervor for politics as well, hoping to affect positive change in government.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a young girl I wanted to travel and, despite the fact that I wasn't officially 'religious', become a missionary travel to Africa and help people. When I grew old, I would be a writer who lived in a little stone cottage surrounded by hollyhocks and craggy rocks by the edge of a wild, windy sea. Imagine my surprise when, in 1982, I discovered the childrens' story, Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney. Miss Rumphius is a storybook character right out of my own heart...
ReplyDeleteCathy – First, welcome back from your sabbatical. Did we ever finish our story? Barbara Kingsolver must have imagined herself a missionary too, having written The Poisonwood Bible. Or was this based on real life? I’m not sure.
ReplyDeleteI’m not familiar with Barbara Cooney, or her children’s story, Miss Rumphius, but I know how you must have felt when she stole your imaginary setting! I hate it when that happens: when someone else steals my original ideas :)
Nice...and you continue to display your talent with your writings.
ReplyDeletei wanted to be so many things growing up but never a writer and now, i find myself thinking about becoming one all too often:-)
Sukanyabora - From what I just read on your site about aging parents, I think you should. The writing world could use more people with hearts of gold to inspire others.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story Debra! I had to giggle :) I always wanted to be a lawyer (because I love to debate and talk..lol)
ReplyDeleteNelieta travel blog
I, too, wanted to be a writer. My elementary school experiences were the other side of the coin where I DID write original stories and the teachers didn't believe a child of my age could possibly be capable of producing that level of intellect and quality. *L* I remember each episode quite clearly and the outrage that I felt upon having my honor and creativity impugned. Rather than discouraging me, I ignored the doubters and naysayers and kept scribbling away. Some things are just integral to our Soul, I think. This is what I was born to do. :)
ReplyDelete~ Dawn
@ Nelieta – a lawyer? Somehow, lawyer doesn’t quite seem right for you. But then, I’ve never heard you talk and debate, so it’s possible that you missed your call after all :) Just kidding. You have such a fine traveling blog with such awesome photography, all tied together with your words and presented in a beautiful package. Kudos!
ReplyDelete@ Dawn – I have no doubt in my mind that you are a born writer. Of all the Memorial Day writing I’ve ever read, yours is quintessential in quality and depth, and did I mention stirring? For you were able to engage the heart - a rare gift. Admittedly, I often skim blog material because all too many posts are just plain trite, didactic, sloppy, or boring. I cringe when I open some and even bother to give a cursory glance. But you, girl, got what it takes to captivate readers. Bravo!
Debra, oh my. You gave me the ultimate smile and compliment with your words! To stir the heart, to capture the imagination, and to leave people irrevocably changed...that's my continuing goal with my writing. To know I hit that chord occasionally is precious beyond belief, so thank you again for taking time to deliver that message, dear one.
ReplyDeleteIn return, when I visit here, I find an ineffable sense of that bright, happy space. Your blog is always welcoming, always enjoyable, and always a place of quiet strength. You make a difference in the world, also, my sweet!
~ Dawn
We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean.
ReplyDeleteBut the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
~ Mother Teresa
In the ocean of blogs, there are a few drops that do make a difference. My response to your comment was heartfelt. And this teacher who couldn’t believe that her student possessed such a gift should have just quit her day job :)
Debra,
ReplyDeleteYou don't need to copy others work now. Your writing is so eloquent and inspiring. I always love my trips to your page. The words seem to flow so effortlessly for you.
I unfortunately don't remember what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I make up for by adding as many passionate hobbies as my heart can handle :)
Loved it Debra truly did. Your words out on your blog are always so smooth ans delightful. Now what did I want to be when I grew up? A cartoonist also an Astronaut...
ReplyDeleteCheers A
@ Aaron – likewise, your words flow so effortlessly. I’m doing a follow up to this post, so come on back and let us hear all the many passions you are fulfilling.
ReplyDelete@ Alejandro - I don’t know if you are a professional cartoonist or not, but you have a gift for making others smile and snicker. You are a natural fun-maker!
Hi Debra,
ReplyDeleteSo interesting - all of this convergence I am receiving from people's posts lately in conjunction with my own personal experiences! Three days ago, I would have answered your question differently. But, now, I have to say I am who I wanted to be when I grew up and now I am ready to grow more. Such a wonderful place to be right now. Thank you for this question to help me become aware.
Love, Linda
What a delightful story! As a child, I really wanted to be a pilot, an astronaut, a singer, a dancer. Didn't become any of those, haha! I do remember being talkative and opinionated even at a very young age that my first and second grade teachers remarked on that in my report card.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story Debra. Made me smile recalling my own childhood experiences.