Writing Memoir
 
  Group Profile  
 
  Group Forum  
 
  Group Photos  
 
  Group Videos  
 
  Group Journals  
Group Information
Date Created:
August 27, 2008
Category:
Hobbies »
Reading & Writing
Group Type:
Public
Owner:
DintyWMoore AARP Member
Offline
DintyWMoore
Moderators:
AARPTeri AARP Member
Offline
AARPTeri
Amy AARP Member
Offline
Amy
All Members
  New Topic   ← Back to All Topics
AARP.org
Writing Memoir

There is only one rule for writing memoir: You have to be honest. There are no templates, no blueprints, no other instructions. Unfortunately, this doesn't make it any easier. Here we will discuss with each other the difficult but exhilarating process of writing memoir—the worries we have, the obstacles we face, both real and imagined, and the pleasures of digging deep to find the story. There will be new assignments every month to jog memories loose, and to help banish self-consciousness, the scourge of all writers. I hope we will discover that the process of writing memoir is as valuable and important as the finished thing because of what we learn along the way. I hope we will share our concerns and our work with each other.

I will jump in and out of the discussions at least once a month. Given my limited availability online, I'm not always able to respond to personal messages. But I look forward to interacting with you all in this creative workshop of ours. Start writing.

  Post to Topic     Print   I Will Walk Again
http://www.aarp.org/community/groups/displayTopic.bt?groupId=10702&topicId=5262042
bertad said:
on November 2, 2009 05:32 PM ET

As I lay here in this tiny room with filtered sunlight coming through the eastern window I see my youngest sister. She’s curled up in a chair that is not big enough to curl in and her silent tears penetrate my being.

"Bobbi,’ I say.

There is no response.

"Bobbi, it’s ok. I’ll walk again."

No one hears me and it’s no wonder.

My room is a small intensive care unit isolation room. My bed "whirrs" and "pulses" as air chambers fill and deflate my mattress. A ventilator adds more music to the sounds of air, pushing oxygen into my lungs through the plastic tube in my mouth. The cardiac monitor’s steady "beep, beep, beep" speaks the rhythm of my heart. Steady as she goes.

Nothing much to do. I lay still in my paralyzed body.

But I know I’ll walk again. God told me I will.
6 posts by 6 users
bertad
Post #6
bertad said:
on November 5, 2009 09:46 AM ET

Thank you all. I've completed my memoir and it's being edited now. But I see there are many short stories from my life that didn't make it into the book and I have to write them out.


ibtal750
Post #5
ibtal750 said:
on November 5, 2009 06:10 AM ET

Such faith, courage and determination. May God bless you and keep you strong. Keep writing, your words are powerful. My prayers are with you. Anna


johnnya1935
Post #4
johnnya1935 said:
on November 5, 2009 12:35 AM ET

Such faith. My prayer are with you. God still heals. I know your faith will make you whole once more. I only wish I were close to you so I could come visit


BrendanBrat
Post #3
BrendanBrat said:
on November 4, 2009 04:22 PM ET

Bertad

It is good to read your name in the group once again. You were among the first Writing Memoir members of the group that I remember. I will keep you in my prayers for a speedy rehab. If He told you that you will walk again, you certainly have it from the best authority.

BrendanBrat/ Eileen


mujvari
Post #2
mujvari said:
on November 2, 2009 07:05 PM ET

Your writing took me into the hospital room, and I could hear the "whirrs" and "pulses" of the air mattress. I could see the cardiac monitor's rhytmic,green beeps. It brought back sad memories of another time, another place.

Beautifully written account of a painful experience. Thank you for writing it!


saravdw
Post #1
saravdw said:
on November 2, 2009 05:46 PM ET

Once again you break my heart with your writing, Bertad!

Such an intense detail of your pain, but I know that with your determination you will walk again!

I am glad you are back.

Sara