Ralph Dranow's Newsletter
#1
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Your Life Story Matters
Celebrating Your Life
Helping You Write, Ghostwrite, or Edit Your Life Story
with
Ralph Dranow
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[To read Newsletter #2, click here]
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Welcome to my first newsletter for Your
Life Story Matters: Helping You Write, Ghostwrite, or Edit Your Life Story.
I hope you find it engaging.
Contents:
1. Stories Are Our Lifeblood
2. Life-Story Poem, "The Gift"
3. Writing Your Life Story ~ with my help
4.
Memoir-Writing Class in Early 2011
Stories Are Our Lifeblood
Stories are our lifeblood. They connect us to one another, allowing us to see our common humanity and the basic feelings we all share. There is a universal quality at the heart of every story. But also, we are each unique, and so, like our individual fingerprints, every one of us has a story unlike anyone else's. There is a lot of richness in our stories when we pay attention to the small, poetic details lying beyond the ordinary-seeming facade of our lives.
For a long time, I've been volunteering at a local retirement community. I read inspirational stories to residents in assisted living and invite them to respond with thoughts, feelings, and stories of their own. The idea is to stimulate reflection through these inspirational stories and to give people who may not often get the opportunity to tell their own stories a chance to speak and be listened to, as well as to share in the stories of others.
Some people eagerly relate their stories; other need to be coaxed, or can't respond at all. But I find that these sessions are theapeutic for many of the residents. Afterwards, I see glowing faces around me. There is something magical about sharing your life story, or parts of it, and being heard by others and yourself as well. When you've had a lot of life experience, as these people have, there is often a need to express and explore it, to give the gift of it to tohers and to see yourself mirrored by their responses.
There is a woman at this retirement community who tells wonderful stories, drawing on her abundant life experience. Many of us listen, absorbed and enriched by her vibrant stories, and she gets a chance to share herself with us and be heard. I've written a poem based on some of her stories, which I'd like to share with you now.
The Gift
The music teacher at school,
She let us all
Play the piano and sing.
She made us feel like
Each one of us was special.
I wanted to give her a present
But I was just a small person,
Maybe eight or nine,
So I'd pick a weed somewhere
With dirt clinging to it
Or some grass or a flower
And put it on her desk.
Just something to say
thank you.
Inspiring teachers,
They can make all the difference.
Speaking of school,
I'm so proud of
What our church has done
For children who were becoming
Little criminals.
Those of us who could
Donated, say, $100 a month
Or $2,000 a year
To pay for these children's college education.
Now one of them is a judge,
Another's a social worker,
And another's a doctor.
Things like this keep me going
Here in assisted living,
Where there isn't any privacy
And sometimes it's all I can do
To get out of bed in the morning.
You know, I don't remember
That teacher's name any more.
It's been so long.
But I can still see
Her beautiful smile
And hear the love in her voice.
Writing Your Life Story ~ with my help
I've been talking about the benefits of informally telling one's story in a group setting, but I feel there are even greater advantages to writing your life story, because you're offering it the fuller attention it deserves.When you make the commitment to write your life story, you are giving yourself a great gift: the opportunity of getting to know yourself more deeply. Becoming your own friend instead of an adversary can be transformative. Then you are rowing the boat with the current rather than against it. And if you choose to share this book of your life with others, it can be a gift to them as well, providing them with inspiration, insight, and pleasure.
If you would like to write your life story and need help with doing that, I would be happy to collaborate with you on your writing project. As a widely published writer and award-winning narrative poet, I can help you take the richness and poetry of your life and turn it into a book that does justice to the fullness of your experience. A life story is much more than biographical information. We can work together to make who you are come alive on the page, so you will recognize yourself yet simultaneously feel as if you're seeing yourself for the first time.
I offer a free phone consultation to discuss your project. Call or email now to set up a time to explore this most important and rewarding gift to yourself and others.
Ralph Dranow
(510) 465-3935
ralphdranow@yahoo.com
For more details on "Your Life Story Matters, see my website: www.yourlifestorymatters.com
Memoir-Writing Class in Early 2011
I will be starting a memoir-writing class early this year. The purpose of the class will be to provide support, guidance, and ideas for people who want to get starting writing their life stories. I have taught this kind of class to enthusiastic participants at the North Berkeley Senior Center and the Emeryville Senior Center. This class will be held in my home in Oakland. It will meet for six weeks, for two hours each session. The fee will be $120. We'll do a lot of writing and sharing in the class.
Please let me know if you are interested in participating, or know of someone else who might be.
Ralph Dranow
(510) 465-3935
ralphdranow@yahoo.com
