It’s Never Too Late…

November 21, 2019 my daughter Renee sent me an email: “Mom, I read this quote of Anne Lamott’s today: thought it could encourage you to keep going with your writing.”

I am a fan of Anne Lamott’s writing and no-nonsense philosophy about life (maybe you are too and like me, also save her quotes) – Lamott didn’t disappoint.

“What if you wake up some day, and you’re 65, or 75, and never got your memoir or novel written, or you didn’t go swimming in those warm pools and oceans all those years because your thighs were jiggly and you had a nice big comfortable tummy; or you were just so strung out on perfectionism and people-pleasing that you forgot to have a big juicy creative life, of imagination and radical silliness and staring off into space like when you were a kid? It’s going to break your heart. Don’t let this happen.” Wow, a lot of good stuff there!

In 2019 I was 66. “Yes Anne. I got the message“. The part about the jiggly thighs didn’t apply but I had not yet written the memoir: (a.k.a. the life stories I’d been wanting to write.)

I wrote Renee back: “I am not going to let my heart be broken – I will not let that happen. You read it here.” She responded: “Oh, big hugs to you Mom. You have a big juicy beautiful life, tell us about it.”

In 2024 Renee and her husband moved from two provinces away to live “next door” (oh happy day!) and I threw myself into making new living experiences with my closest friend now living just across the yard! My writing resolution faded; slipping back to minimal spurts. My Enneagram personalty type 7 – whose default is jumping from one thing I like to do (think fun!) on to the next thing – didn’t help much.

New confidence and encouragement were helpful touchpoints but my writing progress was slow. And sporadic. I wrote several pieces – even paid good coaches for some support. But I had a long ways to go.

Finally. August 25/25, I woke up to my writing senses: declaring in my journal: “I am 72 and it’s time to make this happen, however it’s going to look.“

To help get my mojo back I’m writing this post for my friends and readers who have faithfully read my past writing. Your time and interest is much appreciated. (Fingers crossed that you’ll stay!)

I’m also facing up to the part of Lamott’s quote re: “perfectionism and people-pleasing “. I’m thinking that by the stage and age where I’m at I should let these go!

Call it an all or nothing, go big or go home kind of event: kind of similar to two decades ago when I committed to running a marathon or other event. I registered with a fee, drove or booked the flight, planned the accommodations, trained in every kind of weather. And I showed up! From my vantage point now, that whole scenario seems easier than keeping my fingers moving on the computer keys and hoping for a focused mind!

A return to those good ol’ running years is too late. However, my desire and intention for retaining and sharing life stories for my family and beyond is more meaningful than the medals and racing bibs gathering dust in boxes in the closet.

So again, I’m giving my writing project another chance: Ready, Set…. GO!!!

Thank you to my close friend and cheerleader, Renee. T

Thank you to you, my readers, permission granted to help keep me accountable! 

Love and God Bless!

Karen