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My MemoirsMy Memoirs
What a dilemma I'm in!
The first thing is - I never expected so many people (friends) would be interested in my memoirs. I am so honored. Thank you dear friends. I'm so amazed that I haven't gotten past the 'awe' yet. My life has not really been all that interesting. Or maybe it is best described as boredom interspersed with moments of sheer terror. The problem is, I'm really unable to elaborate on much of the 'sheer terror'. It's just best that way.
In my 'Forward' I pointed out that there are things or incidents that are best left unsaid. I think most everyone has one or two of those (or more). I'm no exception. Memoirs should be nothing short of the truth, and not a fiction novel. I strove for that - as I saw it. And that is as it should be. An incident viewed at the same time by several people will produce several different viewpoints. (I wonder how the police sort that out after interviewing several different people. The newspaper reporters don't seem to get it right.)
When writing a book, memoirs, or any article, you are directing it toward a specific reader. Memoirs are usually directed to one's family, and perhaps lifelong friends, and, of course, your offspring. This was the course that I took because of the references to incidents that occurred years ago that only family/close friends would remember or be interested in.
However, I do want to point out that I have posted some of the funnier, or more notable incidents in this blog , or that of my other 'space' you can reach by clicking here , (and then just scroll down). Remember I've been working on my memoirs for about two years so you will need to go back a ways. As soon as I get organized, I'm going to transfer some of the blog posts from my other 'space' to here.
In my other 'space' I wrote a post about about the incidents incurred when I moved my girlfriend (now wife) from Chicago back to Beaumont, Texas that I think would be interesting. For clarification of the 'back to Beaumont, Texas, this is where I lived when I met her while she was finishing college. I do want to thank "Kimmie" for confirming my memories of an incident in 'her town' on that trip. (See Kimmie in 'friends' list.)
I also thank and acknowledge Cathy (friends list -" Everyday is Wednesday") for the beautiful poetry that she wrote for me and I included. Cathy has been one of my very best virtual friends for several years. I'm always in awe of how wonderfully she can translate everyday into beautiful poetry.
So, at this point, I'm just taking a break. I'm also checking out resources for getting this thing printed up. I have used my own office equipment to print up two copies for my own use. (Wow, does that ever use up the ink!)
Secondly, I may have to wait until I win the lottery before I can have my memoirs printed up - or else I'm going to have to take out all the full color pictures and clip art . Wow, does that ever run the price up! Also, I may have to print up two versions - one for family, and one for friends. But, I'm not certain that will work.
Thanks to all my many friends. You have really made me sit up and go - WOW!
Lee
Forty-Five Lessons of LifeEvery so often, I receive something in my email that arouses enough interest in me to research it . . . or the person that wrote it. When I researched this lady, Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, I discovered a lot more than I had ever expected. This lady is nothing short of awesome! Among many other awards, she was a finalist for the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. Several of the columns that she writes for The Plain Dealer have also been submitted for Pulitzer Prize consideration. I'm sure we all will hear more of this lady in the future.
So, what follows was written by her, Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio.
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the forty-five lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 (in August of 2006), so here goes:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks!
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. All that truly matter in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
And there you have it, with all due respect to Regina Brett. What insight this lady has.
I invite you to visit her website where you can read of some of her accomplishments: http://www.reginabrett.com/
Further information can be found at email: library@plaind.com Or you can contact her direct: rbrett@plaind.com
Oh, and did I mention that she is also a breast cancer survivor?
Enjoy, my friends, and Blessings all.
Lee |
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