Friday, September 9, 2016

Uniquely You and Writing Assignment #30 Marriage Part 1


I pulled the door shut and fussed with the old key to lock up our Paris pied de terre.  Adjusting the straps onto my shoulder for my camera, my purse and the canvas shopping bag (a charming but bulky thing I had purchased at the fruit market), I slowly maneuvered my way down the ancient circular stairway…three flights down to the massive front door painted what I call "French Blue" although I’m sure the French don't call it that.  Dale was waiting patiently, holding it open for me, eager to get out and see the day awaken on the streets of Paris. 

Our goal for the day….become part of the place, experience it in an unhurried pace.  Shop at all the local markets and bring home bread and cheese, the freshest of fruit and delectable desserts from the patisserie.

Snap Snap Snap Dale was photographing an elderly man reading his newspaper on a park bench. Snap Snap Snap I focused on a still life…a gray kitten on a window ledge, the window open, a white curtain behind and a flower pot with a pink geranium just inside.  Snap Snap Snap he was photographing a store owner sweeping the stone walk in front of his store with an ancient looking broom  Snap Snap Snap I focused on the glorious arrangement of fresh baked breads on the shelves through the open door of a boulangerie.  So typical of our travels, walking side by side but seeing a different world. 

I’m reminded of the quote by Louise Brown: “Remember that what you have is unique because it’s your own special way of looking at the world.”

I’ve given those of you, who are using the weekly "writing assignments" to prepare your autobiography, a few weeks off to catch up and review but I will start another assignment today.

And if you should need a reminder of the importance of doing this (along with the fact that it’s fun) consider this quote by Spencer W. Kimball:

“Your own private journal should record the way you face up to challenges that beset you.  Do not suppose life changes so much that your experiences will not be interesting to your posterity.  Experiences of work, relations with people, and an awareness of the rightness and wrongness of actions will always be relevant.”

And at another time he further reminded us:

“You are unique, and there may be incidents in your experience that are more noble and praiseworthy in their way than those recorded in any other (person’s) life…what could you do better for your children and your children’s children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved? Some of what you write may be humdrum dates and places, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity.”

Still need more reasons to write?  Consider this:

“There may be a healing power in the pen: Psychologists say ‘writing therapy’ effectively boosts both health and mood, even among pessimistic individuals.” (Health Psychology (1998:17(1): 84-92))

I can honestly say that writing this blog has been a remarkable vehicle for helping me maneuver my way down the often slippery slopes of widowhood!

So for these reasons and any more that you can think of…including the very important one >> Well Why Not?  Jump on board and have a go at it.  You can’t make any mistakes…it’s your life!  And you are the best one to write your own life story.  Keeping in mind…

I love Dale’s photographs and stories of his life.  I love what he saw, I love seeing life through his eyes and I treasure that. But even though we shared decades walking side by side through time…I can’t just say “ditto” to his and have it be an accurate account of my life!  My unique life.
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Writing Assignment #30 – Marriage Part 1
How did you meet?
How did he (she) look? What attracted you to him(her)?
Tell about your courtship.  Where did you go? What did you do?
When did you fall in love?
"The Proposal"  Tell about it from your perspective.
"Wedding Day" Tell about it from your perspective.
Give the date of your wedding and the place (describe the features of the place)
How did you feel going to the wedding that day?
Who was there?
What did you wear?
What did he (she) wear?
Take time here to express your love to your spouse and what he or she meant to you on that day...and now.

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