Archive for August, 2009

2 Firefighters Killed Amid Massive Calif. Wildfire; L.A. Broadcast Towers Threatened.

          My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these two firefighters who lost their lives saving others. May the spirits of these two brave men be remembered by us all. My son-in-law, Ehren, was called out from Northern California on a strike team first to fight the fires in Monterey County and yesterday to the blazes in the Angeles National Forest area where thousands of homes are under mandatory evacuation and the fire is only 5% contained. Ehren, stay safe. Thank you for your courageous service once again, we love you.

“Our hearts are heavy as we are tragically reminded of the sacrifices our firefighters and their families make daily to keep us safe,” Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

A Joyful Encounter: My Mother, My Alzheimer Clients, and Me

A Memoir by Lynn Scott                                 The Story Woman Book Review

Well, what can I say? I am overwhelmed with feelings after reading Lynn Scott’s, A Joyful Encounter, My Mother, My Alzheimer Clients, and Me. Her memoir brought up passion and emotion in me about my Alzheimer’s afflicted mother on so many levels that I know will stay with me forever. It is hard to describe or even fully recognize this gamut of feelings that came over me when reading this collection of short, true tales written in Scott’s honest, lyrical prose as she interacts with her Alzheimer clients, all the while discovering realities about her relationship with her long deceased mother.

Scott gently, but powerfully, leads readers into the hearts and minds of this frequently fearful, heartbreakingly confused, sometimes hilarious, often enchanting, but mostly misunderstood group of elders who have love to give, and, let’s not forget, an innate need to receive love – even if you think they aren’t aware that you are there.

This book should be read by every man, woman, and teenager, whether or not one has interactions with folks diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  There is so much humanity and understanding of the human spirit woven into Scott’s stories that the confines of disease are transcended. Her wisdom, lessons, and insights into the power of healing when love is expressed span all kinds of interpersonal relationships.

I wish I’d had this Joyful Encounter as my coach and companion during the poignant final three years I spent with my mother as her caregiver prior to her death eleven years ago. Scott’s book made me laugh, cry, and wish I could have my mother back for just a day, even one more hour.

And then my mother became my muse and was the impetus for my TellTale Souls collection of memoirs, true tales capturing mothers’ character and spirit. I’ve designed the front cover of my book with this picture of Mom.

 The Story Woman asks daughters and sons to write bio-vigenettes capturing their mothers’ character for TellTale Souls.

During a chance encounter with myself at the one-and-only Spirit Rock Meditation Center, I received a Wow! message from “my inner being” that will enhance my memoir work as I take folks down the path to memories heretofore unspoken and unrealized. Another proof of the power that awaits us when we give ourselves space to listen to the quiet within and to the voices of loved ones in the present and those who walked before us not so long ago. For my work right now, that lingering power is realized in the voices of our mothers and our looking at them as individuals, all the while searching for universal connections through the energy of the female spirit and soul.

A new friend, memoirist, poet, and down-right good woman, Lynn Scott, invited me to her meditation group at Spirit Rock a couple days ago. Not something I generally do, but probably should do more often, especially when she welcomed me afterward to her home for her freshly made strawberry-rhubarb pie. Double yummy.

Spirit Rock is a Buddhist retreat and meditation center right here in Marin County – that place just north of San Francisco that can’t seem to shake the cloak of peacock feathers, hot tubs, and hedonism. (To see today’s face of Marin click Jim Wood’s link below.) I’m not advocating any spiritual practice over another – I like them all. So does that make me a Spiritual-American? Enough of the hyphenated Americanisms, already. I’m just a garden variety American and proud to be one of the fortunate people on earth to live in a country that was founded on freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom…  please expand the list and count your blessings.

What is on your list? And remember to add those precious liberties that you may take for granted. The Story Woman would love to post what you hold dear as Freedom. Calling for comments. 

Hot links:

Lynn Scott, A Joyful Encounter…

Spirit Rock Buddhist Meditation Center

Marin County, Up Close & Personal, by Jim Wood

Calling all daughters and sons to write a bio-vigentte that looks at the heart and soul of your mother and become a TellTale Soul.

There’s a movement mounting for that special niche in memoir where daughters and sons come together to zero in on mothers. Take a look at the potential:

• Discovering your mother’s distinct character and spirit
• Realizing the wisdom waiting in your mother’s actions
• Writing the stories only you can write
• Connecting on myriad levels through the art of storytelling

There are all kinds of ways to teach creative writing/memoir writing where folks can write their life stories, but my passion and focus isn’t on writing memoir in general.

Inspiring and teaching people to Tap Memory and Write Memoir – even if they’ve never written anything before – makes the world go ‘round.

Join me for the journey of a life time where you will write your short, true story. You can do it – you really can.

I promise; you’ll be glad you did!

The Story Woman asks you to write a bio-vignette capturing your mother’s character and spirit.

Photo by Jason Wells Photography

This picture says it all, but, of course, I’ll add a word or two.

When the words start to flow…

Some say our best insights come at the most unexpected times and places, so always be prepared. This picture actually reminded me of my daughter, Samantha – you just can’t keep that girl from working and creating. You go, girl!

Okay, no more excuses. Write your Mother Memoir now. That’s it; you’re on your way to honoring that most important woman by capturing her character in a bio-vignette – because you love who she is in the here & now AND want future generations to get a glimpse of that spirit you loved so much.

My friend, Judith Marshall, author of the soon to be published book, Husbands May Come and Go, but Friends are Forever, gave me permission to filch this picture from her blog. So, I didn’t really steal it, and now I invite you to steal away from my blog for a bit to check out what Judith is blathering about.

The Story Woman asks all daughters and sons to write bio-vignettes about their mothers.