Since I can remember I have kept a diary. I think I was in the fourth grade when Grandma Patton sent me a diary for Christmas as well as a pen. I could write whatever was on my mind. Whether it was that I hated my mom for something I probably got in trouble for or that she wouldn’t let me do whatever I wanted. If I’d only known then what I know now. I promised myself I’d never be like my mom, yet the honest truth is all kids can’t stand their parents as kids from time to time but so appreciate all they have done when we become parents ourselves.
I think when Mari was in the hospital that it was very therapeutic for me to write everything down. Two weeks after she died I remember telling Keith we had to go to the store and get me a journal. I started to write in it everyday. It became an outlet. I felt like sometimes all I ever did was say the same thing over and over again. But it didn’t matter if I was the only one to see it.
Then three months after she was gone I had all these thoughts swirling around in my head. My gut instinct kicked in and I knew I had to get them typed up. Those very thoughts became the very first post of my daughter’s dedication website. All of these ways I write have become an outlet for me. They helped me with my grief journey. I feel blessed to be able to share them with others and people actually feel touched as a result.
Sometimes I wonder if all writing is our therapy, but see what you’re saying. My first novel is my therapy book. It has evolved to be more of a story that I hope readers will enjoy, but it has helped me to understand my mother better. To love her in her brokeness. Thank you for this topic, Kristena.
Jean, thank you for your comment. I think all writing can be very therapeutic if it’s what works for that person. My husband is struggling right now with what to write for the dedication section of our daughter’s book. He’s afraid he will sound stupid. I told him if it’s from his heart it will never sound stupid. I just keep praying God gives him the peace he needs to do it as I know he wants to be included her her book, special note from Daddy. 🙂