An egg is a Christian symbol for change. Just as Jesus rose from the tomb, the egg symbolizes new life. The color orange also symbolizes change. It is associated with the fall change of season, the transformative nature of fire, and the beauty of the sunset as day changes into night.
Some changes happen in the twinkle of an eye. Others take a lifetime. Some changes are welcome. Others come like a thief in the night. Some changes bring delight, joy, satisfaction. Others bring sadness, despair, grief.
Of one thing we can be sure. Change will come, be it one way or the other. Like the sea that is now my daily vista, change is perpetual. In the last year changes in my life have been all of the above. My husband died, suddenly, unexpectedly, in the twinkle of an eye, changing my life forever. His death came like a thief in the night. I realized a lifelong dream of moving to the beach. It was stressful, arduous, and exhausting, but oh so fulfilling.
At almost the age of seventy I suppose I’ve become a big girl now. Having married when I was a mere eighteen years old, never have I had to navigate life on my own. I’ve managed, with the help of family and friends, this last year to take care of business I never wanted or dreamed of having to do. The Bible says God hears the widows’ plea, causes her to sing for joy, and strengthens her heart. He has thus done so for me.
Writers know that changes are important to the writing process.
We draft, and draft, and draft again. I will soon start re-drafting my work on my next novel, Dear Daughter. Several of the main characters are faced with the loss of their husbands. Now that I count myself among those who have experienced this I have a new perspective and inevitably that will change my writing. Which of the two authors quoted above do you agree with? Which one have you never heard of? What are some significant changes that have happened in your life? How have you managed? Please share your thoughts in a comment.
APRIL is National Poetry Month
I have been a poet since I was a child. I will be including many of my poems my upcoming memoir. Poetry speaks to me. Do you have a favorite poet? Have you written a rhyme of your own? Please share your thoughts in a comment! You may not be a fan of poetry. You may say it’s not your thing. Consider the following statements by some of the world’s greatest poets.
Finally, perhaps the best and the last word about poetry:
Please scroll down to leave comments.
Hi Janet, I prefer the Hutchinson quote above, despite being a Papa fan. Heh…I’m on my sixth DRAFT of my memoir, even after it’s already had a developmental edit and complications with one of my sibs who wants to be left out entirely. Yes, life changes do happen suddenly; I’m divorced but didn’t want to be (and I was not the one who cheated), and moving from our marital home was traumatizing; but that was ten years ago and I’ve grown to love the single life. I’m a writer, author and artist and life keeps me busy. Sadly, my daughter moved to Birmingham 6 years ago and that’s where my grandchildren are…I grieve daily that I cannot see them regularly. My daughter has adopted the “southern ways,” and is well acclimated, but I miss her so. I hail from Cincinnati. Good you’re back to writing! Will see you around in the memoir writers’ forum…
Hello Claire. Thank you for your comment. I like that quote too. I’ve been with writers who can’t get a first draft down because they are struggling to get it “right.” I say just do it! Life can certainly throw us curveballs, as does the writing process. Good luck with your writing and God bless you and your family.
Green and Orange are my favorite colors. I had my colors done at Nordstrom and it was decided I looked best with orange. Of course, that made me happy as I married an orange Auburn graduate even though I attended UGA grad school – guess red wasn’t for me. Anyhow, orange is also a biggie when it comes to the Myers-Brigg test. While working with my students to find out their true personality colors, my assistant principal mentioned since I always thought I was gold and blue, “When is Joanna going to realize that she is orange?” Well, now I see that I am – a wild and crazy kind of girl.
Thats’s funny- just like you! When I first did the colors about 25 years ago I was high green AND gold. Definitely not a fun or empathetic person. I learned to work on orange and blue. And my Myers Briggs bore it out- INTJ. I’m thinking our profiles change though as we go through life experiences.
l enjoyed your newsletter. Life moves us along, often in unexpected ways. I am happy you are moving on, my friend.
Thank you Jackie. Indeed, some life’s best and worst turns are quite unexpected.
Poetry requires of the writer not society or instruction but a patch of profound and unbroken solitude . . . words I live by. Oh, how I cherish the power of words.
“One does not choose the time to write, it chooses you.” – Trudy Wells-Meyer
I am happy to know you my friend far, yet close, because of writing . . .
Yes, Trudy, I love my solitude too. I am about three quarters of the way through your memoir. I’m making notes along the way to share with you- your poetry speaks to me and some lines in your prose are beautiful enough to be poetry! I feel as if I know you although we’ve never actually met.
Dear Friend!
The beach is your haven. I am glad you were brave and courageous enough to make the big CHANGE to go where you belong. So truly happy for you. I will contact you when come this summer.
Jill
Thank you Jill and Jim. It is challenging but I am settling in nicely. I do hope we can see each other at some point this summer.
Nice blog post!
Concerning the first draft of writing, I tend to agree with Bryan Hutchinson’s point of view.
Thanks Robert. I believe that first draft is necessary and important- but it may be s#$&&y.
Connie and I are pleased to hear you have settled in your new home on the coast. Change is always a path unknown, but also filled with many new opportunities and new friends. Keep writing.
Thanks Mike. I intend to get back to my writing soon-
A thought-provoking read, Janet. Well done, and congratulations on the move.
Thank you Lynn. I’d be interested to hear any of your provoked thoughts.
excellent. Really enjoyed your newletter
Thank you Marlene.