The Journey of a Gypsy
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve wondered if it’s a sign of
hubris on my part to think that I have lived a life interesting enough for
anyone but my mom to bother reading about. After
all, the term “memoire” usually brings to mind a retired general, politician,
or other older, wiser, more important person than me. At least it does in my mind. So, what benefit is there to my signing up November 1 for "National Novel Writing Month”?
I don’t have the imagination to actually write a completely fictitious
novel, so I decided to write an autobiographical piece, technically a novel by
my changing some facts (to protect the innocent and the guilty!). I’ve
asked myself more than once why I’m bothering, as I struggle to keep
up my word count to make the required 50,000 by midnight on November 30. (I’m pretty much on target so far, give or
take a couple thousand words).
The answer to my question came recently from my husband, my
greatest support and encouragement, who has been behind me from day one in this
endeavor. Not only is he my biggest “victim,”
being forced to listen to over three decades of my stories, but he’s also my
biggest fan. And he’s helped me see that
there’s value in what I’m doing. The
following perspective he shared really helped me.
Have you ever wished you could sit down and have a chat with
the great-grandmother you never met but heard so much about? Wouldn’t you like to know more about her
life, her childhood, and the factors that contributed to making her the extraordinary
woman you’re told she was? My husband Dan
has often longed to know more about his maternal great-grandfather, a Toronto journalist,
who took his mom with him on “dates” in the city. Sadly, to my knowledge, no written record remains of his life,
so Dan will never know much more than what’s contained in his mom’s vague
childhood recollections of this loving man.
I don’t know of any of my forefathers who wrote down their story for
posterity, and I doubt too many of yours did, either.
So, as ordinary as my life may be, our daughter, our
grandkids, our descendents (if the Lord tarries), may one day appreciate the
effort I put forth to record on “paper” what I’m entitling “The Journey of a
Gypsy.” I welcome suggestions for
catchier titles, friends!
i love it! i think it also logs God's faithfulness in your life. i'm going to need you to be my cheerleader when its my turn.
ReplyDeleteI started writing an autobiography, perhaps more to reconcile with my past than for posterity, but I love reading biographies and believe everyone has a story to share about the life God has given them. I never knew my maternal grandmother, who died of cancer when my mom was just 14. I wish I knew more about her, as it seems she was a woman of such good repute and incredible strength. I think future generations will appreciate your efforts to make a record of your story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts, Amy. I wasn't thinking too much of my past as I considered writing. But I'm a "live in the now" kind of person (which is very Latino, eh? :) ). I didn't really think of posterity, either, originally. It was Dan who made me think of it. Did you ever finish yours? Maybe you can do the challenge next November like me. :)
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