Decades
Seeing a life in decades. Each 10 years full of different struggles, challenges, life lessons.
And along the way, life-changing moments reveal the power of our choices, dreams, wishes, needs. That lead us in one direction or another. Conscious or unconscious.
Sometimes it’s an accumulation of small lessons that become a momentous catalyst. Where one can’t run, ignore, or hide any longer. And not one of us is exempt from challenges that flip our world upside down.
If we’re paying attention we gain a new perspective, a realization, an awakening, an admission.
Writers love to draw insights from our own experiences. Yet memories are tricky. I know that every time I recall my own life events I’m editing and modifying them. Which allows me to change both how I perceive an event and my experience of it.
A narrative crafted in reflection can be compelling enough to give us courage to do what scares us. Like putting a story out into the world.
“Crossed Lines” is one of those for me.
This Post Has 5 Comments
Wow, Michele. Thank you for sharing this engaging and relatable story. The title and structure is fitting. Your comment about how we edit and modify memories reminds me of the new book friends have recommended, “Remember” by Lisa Genova, author of “Still Alice.” https://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9780593137956
The fishhook episode you related also reminded me of a quote from Ann Patchett’s book, “State of Wonder,” we’re currently listening to; “Hope is like walking around with a fishhook in your mouth and somebody just keeps pulling it and pulling it.”
Thank you Theresa! I appreciate that you found my story so relatable and you see the totality of it. I will check out Lisa Genova and her book. Love Ann Patchett too!
M.
Loved this story when you first wrote it, and love it even more in print!
Indeed
Great job Michele. Time truly is precious and I appreciate the way you framed it in your story. Here’s to the past ten years and looking to see what the next ten bring.
Pilar