Volume V, Issue 11 March 14, 2016 Dear ,
I loved getting to be with these wonderful
people last night, here in Naples, Florida. From left to right are my big brother Mike, my sister Mary, my husband Richard, my aunt Joan, my dad's "cousin-in-law" Myra, my aunt Joan's longtime partner Dee, and my dad's cousin Bill. (Mary's husband, Roy, a truly great guy, was our photographer.) It's always a treat to see any of my four siblings, and even sweeter than it used to be, now that I don't have my dad anymore, to hang out with my dad's sister, whose stories of her
childhood with my dad always make me smile.
And getting to meet "Cousin Billy" and his wife Maya for the first time put the evening over the top! I'd heard about my dad's artist cousin (that's his painting of Maya's hometown in Germany behind us) for a number of years, and even talked with him on the phone, but there's nothing like a real, in-person visit.
I took a surprise with me—a photocopy of a letter then eight-year-old Billy had written to his dad (my dad's uncle Edward) about the evening my dad, fresh out of the Coast Guard Academy, took him on his ship for dinner, and then to the engine room. After Bill read the letter, he had other stories about my dad to share. The conversation flowed easily from the start of the evening until its reluctant finish, with promises to meet again next March and cousin Billy's "what a family I've got."
Amen. I feel so lucky that I get to be here in such a beautiful place with people I love, get to enjoy the balmy Florida air, and even get to write this zine to you while my brother prepares us
dinner.
It's easy to think of everything about this visit as something I "get to" do versus something I've "got to" do. But ever since Under Construction member Kathy Gruhn wrote about shifting from "got to" to "get to" in last week's class, it's been easier to appreciate the value I get from every item on a particular day's "to do" list—even the ordinary things like laundry and packing, which I normally avoid until the last possible minute. It's amazing how the simple change of one letter—from "got" to "get"—can shift your whole experience of a task.
I'm grateful to Kathy for saying yes when I asked if she would share her piece with you. It also gives me a chance to tell you about her helpful My
Baby Compass guides for parents and caregivers of babies, toddlers, and young children. As I look forward to the birth of my second grandchild next month, I know I'll be pulling out the birth to two book with its handy checklists again!
Now, what about you, and what you've "got to" and "get to" do?
Upcoming WordPlay
WRITER'S WORKSHOP: WRITE YOURSELF!
Reap writing’s benefits—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Give yourself the gift of exploring how creative writing (journaling, memoir, poetry, fiction) can enrich your life, and what your writing can provide for others. You will learn and practice a number of fun,
easy tools and methods to help your words flow, whatever your particular interest. Whether you have published widely, sometimes write in a journal, or haven’t written anything since your senior year of high school, you will enjoy this lively, informative workshop.
WHERE: Plaza Midwood Library. 1623 Central Avenue. Charlotte, NC 28205
WHEN: Monday, April 11, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
COST: Free!TO REGISTER: To register online, please visit the Plaza Midwood Library website here.
More WordPlay opportunities here. WordPlay Success Story "I can't be the best I can be at writing if I do it alone."
Meet Kathy Gruhn
In 2006 Kathy’s writing consisted of dictated Speech Pathology notes that were very objective. No descriptive words. Strictly scientific data. However, in her heart she knew she was a
storyteller. She took Maureen’s Under Construction class in the fall and wrote a story called “Boots” about her riding boots getting stuck. Maureen asked her to read it out loud in class and she thought she was going to have a heart attack. She had no confidence. That was then…but now is now.
She has been taking the class ever since and has written a child development program, My Baby
Compass, that consists of: three manuals, fourteen booklets, a CD-ROM and an app, along with marketing dialogue consisting of a blog, TV scripts, magazine articles and an e-zine.
She is now ghostwriting the story of an 85-year-old African American woman’s experience growing up in the South. She is having a blast. She’s also researching and will be writing the My Senior Compass series
that will consist of three or four manuals to cover Dementia, Stroke, Traumatic Head Injury and Neurological diseases that affect a person’s communication skills. She’s including personal stories from caregivers and professionals.
To purchase Kathy's books, please click on the pictures below: What Kathy says about WordPlay “With the support of Maureen and my wonderful classmates, I have a second career as the Positive Parenting Expert.
Having met the two most influential people in my life, Mother Teresa and Oprah, I have
learned they had trials and tribulations; however, their passion and commitment to their work never waned. They are my role models. Mother Teresa’s advice to me was, “Never be mediocre, be the best at what you do, whether it is making a cup of tea or healing the world.” I have tried to follow these words, but I can’t be the best I can be at writing if I do it alone. Thank goodness I have Maureen Ryan Griffin and my Under Construction
group.” Featured Writing
Get "R" Done
by
Kathy Gruhn
I remember how I used to make “Got to do” lists that seemed overwhelming. Lists like
I’ve: - got to clean the
refrigerator
- got to take care of the horses, cats and dogs
- got to play my dobro
- got to bring food to a sick friend
- got to
write
The last item would never seem to be crossed off my “to do” list. I would tweak it or add more words thinking this would help.
I’ve: - got to write fifteen minutes
- got to edit chapter one
- got write and print out three pages for class
Still, I sat in front of the computer and stared at the screen. I switched to a computer bridge game and played with a parrot partner named Captain Scurvy.
This happened again and again. I knew better.
Then I had an aha moment. I changed one word and it changed my attitude. I switched the word got to the word get: I get to write.
I felt so free! It was so simple and pure. It was a privilege to sit in front of my computer. I cherished my imagination and gift of gab. I wrote and wrote. This carried over to my other duties. I: - Get to clean the refrigerator. I am so blessed to have this convenience.
- Get to take care of my four-footed friends that bring me such happiness.
- Get to play music that is the
language of my heart.
- Get to bring food to a sick friend that may leave this world sooner than expected.
Anyway, that darn parrot can go to you-know-where. He never did bid that bridge hand correctly!
WordPlay Now! Writing
Prompt This is WordPlay—so why not revel in the power and
potential of one good word after another? This week, it's "get."
PROMPT:
Make a "got to" list for yourself or one of your characters. Next, consider what you, the character, or someone else stands to "get" out of completing each item. Then rewrite as a
"get to" list. MAUREEN RYAN GRIFFIN, an award-winning poetry and nonfiction writer, is the author of Spinning Words into Gold, a Hands-On Guide to the Craft of Writing, a grief workbook entitled I Will Never Forget You, and two collections of poetry, This Scatter of Blossoms and When the Leaves Are in the Water. She believes, as author Julia Cameron says, "We are meant to midwife dreams for one another."
Maureen also believes that serious "word
work" requires serious WordPlay, as play is how we humans best learn—and perform. What she loves best is witnessing all the other dreams that come true for her clients along the way. Language, when used with intentionality and focus, is, after all, serious fuel for joy. Here's to
yours! |
|
|
|
