Quiet. Reserved.  Never causing any trouble.

Yes, that’s how I would have been described as a young girl.

But deep within me there were stories to tell.

Certainly I wouldn’t share them – constant moves, grasshoppers on Sunday dresses.

No, you could count on it that I wouldn’t share.

Those marvelous tales of firework grandeur on a Kansas City back yard

     with beloved grandparents

    would be kept hidden along side

    the tales of my mom’s polio and the doctor’s surprising visit

   to our small home.

    Three young children getting shots that night

    to protect us from the dreaded  disease.

Scribbles in my spiral notebook would be kept  from all eyes but mine.

Until—-

    I experienced pain and loss, embarrassment and disappointment

  and suddenly I realized that maybe

     somewhere,

         somehow,

               my simple story would encourage another on life’s journey.

     So I typed out my story on an old electric typewriter

        and mailed it to a magazine who was accepting submissions.

Never thought about it again.

Even my English teacher from college knew that I couldn’t write well.

But that didn’t matter.

No, it was as if in the writing of my experience

    I began to discover my own voice.

    My shyness fell away

       and suddenly I could talk. Yes, I could talk.

Freedom. Release. Exhilaration.

I’ll never forget that day I received an acceptance letter for that story

    along with a small check.

Suddenly it hit me.

I’m a writer. A real writer.

But it wasn’t until long after when that simple experience was published

   and I received letters and notes of gratitude from others

   who had been helped by my telling it

that I realized

   that this was something I could do.

I could write my story and not only connect with others

  but even more than that.

Others could be encouraged and strengthened too.

Others could celebrate with me God’s goodness and purpose.

Others could see a light that would help them find their way

    through a dark, sometimes, difficult journey.

Writing can open doors that were thought long closed.

Writing can give voice to thoughts and experiences.

Writing can enable one to leave a legacy for the future.

Writing can be

     for you

     a way to make sense of broken pieces. A healing place.

Writing can be the most important thing you ever do.

 

I’d love to have you join me

   Write Your Story- Discover Your Strengths

   September 4-October 9

    6    60 minute classes

    Online

   Lively discussions.

   Simple tools that will show you how to begin writing

    a piece or all of your life story.

  Contact me for more information at sharonbranicoaching@yahoo.com