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The Writing Group

 


Simultaneously to my retiring was the opportunity to join a writing group. My wife and I are consistent walkers in our neighborhood. One day while my wife was walking down the sidewalk by herself, she passed a house where an older woman lives. We would often see this woman doing her own neighborhood stroll with her walker. We would always smile and say hello to her and she would reciprocate. But on this instance while my wife was walking by the house, a different woman was at the house and asked my wife if she was a writer. Sort of a random thing to ask a stranger, but my wife said, yes, she was. The woman said that there was a writing group that was meeting in the house, and would she like to come in. So, she went in and joined the Wednesday morning writing group. This was just a few weeks before I was to retire. She instantly liked the group, and a few weeks later (after retirement was official) I joined the group.

I discovered that this group had been in existence for some 40 years. The membership had changed over the years but the group continued on. Most of this group consists of retired folks like me. Every week each person reads something they have written. It could be something they wrote that week or something they had written in the past. There are no rules. There is no judgement. This is not a critique group, more of a support group (writers need support too). Most of the things I have heard read in the group are personal histories (memoirs), but there has also been fiction and essays. I know I said no rules, but I think everyone has sort of tacitly agreed to stay out of politics in the group. I haven’t heard anyone say to avoid politics; it is just an unspoken guideline for which I am glad. I have very definite political views, and I express them in other places (not in this blog).

Sometimes I read past blog entries for the group. Sometimes I read other things, but the attendees are always equally appreciative as I am for their readings. I really mean that. I am appreciative of all the things I have heard. Many in the group are older than me and they bring their own perspectives on their own lived lives. I am learning more about my community and their lives and hearing first-hand about living through some fascinating events.

Recently Carol, in whose house we had been meeting, informed us that she could no longer live by herself and needed to find another living arrangement. She is 96 years old, so this is perfectly understandable. A couple of weeks ago we said our goodbyes to Carol who is moving away to be with her daughter. There were a few tears shed and we devoted our readings that week to stories about her. We have found a new place to have our meetings, but Carol will always be in our hearts.


Star Line

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