*This is the first week of the Mom to Mom Gratitude Gala & Giveaway! Lara Krupicka is the author of Family Bucket Lists: Bring More Fun, Camaraderie and Adventure Into Every Day Life.
A half smile, a tilted head and a crinkling of recognition around the eyes, followed by a cry of greeting and a hug. This scenario played out over and over in the cozy 70’s throwback of a meeting room we’d reserved in a retreat center. Women huddled side-by-side on sunken sofas swapping stories with the animated intensity of old friends. They clustered in groups, laughing and talking without a moment of awkwardness. There we were, thirty of us thrilled to be together at last. And yet few of us had connected before outside of FaceBook.
What drew us together was our shared calling as writers of faith.
I am so grateful to have joined a writer’s guild. The connections I have made to other women have been soul-strengthening. Encouraging. In some ways membership in the guild allows me to experience a bond I had been missing. It’s like being in a sorority decades after college graduation. As dissimilar as we all are (varied church backgrounds, different types of writing and audiences, various family makeups), our shared love of writing and serving God with our words creates a sisterly bond.
But I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to share that with them if I hadn’t gone after my dream of being a writer.
For years I had yearned to write and share my stories with the world. I took creative writing classes in high school and college. I wrote marketing copy for small businesses. I created sketches and plays for my church. Yet I always held back on making it a career – until I had children (because parenting three little girls is the ideal backdrop for a life of putting words on the page).
The funny part about living into my longings to be a writer was how much it turned out to be a source of connection, not isolation. Even though I spend hours each week in my office, typing away, I also interact with fellow writers online. Other mom writers, members of the writer’s guild, a writing critique group. And so even though it is rare for me to see them in person (as at the recent retreat), I have been forging friendships with those who share this dream life.
If not for writing, I wouldn’t know these amazing women. I wouldn’t have benefitted from their wise counsel, skill-sharpening critiques, and understanding commiseration. I wouldn’t hear perspective from diverse walks of life.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to go after my life goal of writing. Because the connections I have gained make it even better than I ever imagined.
How about you? What life-enriching relationships are you thankful for that came as a result of pursuing a life longing?
*Want to win copies of Lara’s book, along with Heidi Luedtke Smith’s Detachment Parenting: 33 Ways to Keep Your Cool When Kids Melt Down and my book, Confidently Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life? Subscribe to our blogs, newsletters and/or post a comment answering Lara’s question at the end of her guest post. (If you refer a friend who subscribes, make sure she lets us know to ensure that you both are entered into the drawing.) You can also enter the drawing by sharing this post on Twitter (#momtomomgratitude) and/or on Facebook. For more information about the giveaway, please click here.*
Lara you have so accurately described that sense of connection found between writers. That has been my experience, after taking a long time to follow my longing. I had found my parenting journey very isolating at times because my children had health issues that made me feel separate from others. When I began an online writing class I felt an immediate connection with other mom writers. I attended my first retreat this past June and met one of my online teachers and although I had not met any of the women before, even online the teacher created a sacred space where we could be open and intimate. I am forever grateful for taking that first class and happy to continue along the path step by step.
Sue,
Ah, a kindred spirit! It’s so good to hear that you’ve made those same kind of connections. Sometimes I wonder how I’ve been so fortunate not only to go after my favorite career, but also share it with some amazing people. And how awesome that you have been able to connect face-to-face with some of those you’re sharing the journey with.
Thanks for sharing!
Lara