Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Slice of someone else's life
Turns out it's a lot easier to stop writing than to start. That's one reason I'm glad I met this woman at the bus stop today. Actually, she was standing 50 or so feet away from the bus stop when I politely squeezed past her on the sidewalk at 5 p.m. She walked along with me, commenting how she'd just realized she'd misplaced herself. We made small talk, awaiting the bus: weather, of course. In a show of boldness, she asked what I did. When she learned I was an English teacher, she asked if I wrote. "Informally, amateurly," I stuttered, "to model for my students." "Not to get published?" she asked. I shook my head. "For my own reflection, really." She said she loved to sing and write songs; in fact, she was headed to a music rehearsal. She admitted that she would never let her dreams die. She'd dreamed for a long time of a life in rock and roll. She'd lived itinerantly. Before singing tonight, she needed to attend an AA meeting. Her laughter rang like wind chimes. Turns out I never know what might re-start my writing.
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I am glad you are back from your brief hiatus. I always enjoy reading your posts. I bet that woman has no idea how she inspired you, just like we never know exactly how our words impact each of the lids we teach.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement, Adrienne.
DeleteSerendipity is a beautiful thing. You needed the spark - the cosmos provided. Welcome back to the quill.
ReplyDeleteYou never know who will come into your life to spark a new direction or rekindle a passion. Happy Writing, Brian.
ReplyDeleteHappy or not, always surprising, as you say, Carol.
DeleteLove reading your stuff Brian. What an encounter ;)
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