From Cheryl's Writing Crate
My original post for today was about the absolute joy and excitement I feel each time I have the privilege of interviewing a person for a story I'm writing. I happened to have experienced the ultimate of interviews last week when I landed an unexpected hour of 1:1 conversation with a well-known radio personality in our beautiful state of Rhode Island. I learned so many things about a subject I know little about, theater and the arts, that I left the interview wanting to watch every Hollywood classic film I could get my hands on.
It wasn't so much the information that was riveting (though that was fantastic in itself) but it was how this well-known radio talk host delivered the information to me. It was effortless, enthralling and completely unexpected because the interview was a genuine, last-minute surprise.
It wasn't so much the information that was riveting (though that was fantastic in itself) but it was how this well-known radio talk host delivered the information to me. It was effortless, enthralling and completely unexpected because the interview was a genuine, last-minute surprise.
Fast forward to this past Monday, April 15th--Patriot's Day and the date of the most historical race in our country--The Boston Marathon, and our country was hit with a completely unexpected surprise, but this wasn't filled with joy and excitement instead it was filled with utter devastation and horror as two bombs exploded killing three innocent bystanders who were at the finish line cheering on the racers. One of these victims was a precious, 8-year old boy. 8 years old!
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| Martin Richard, the 8-year old boy who was one of the victims in the Boston Marathon Bombing. |
When an event this horrific takes place, it's almost impossible to put coherent thoughts together to make any sense of it. That's why today's post is dedicated to those who lost their lives, were injured and also to the hundreds of police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical workers, doctors and nurses, hospital staff and to the dozens of ordinary citizens who were innocent bystanders but rose to the occasion to help those in need. These people are all heroes and lives are now forever changed because of a tragedy that most of us cannot comprehend.
As a writer, the way I make sense of anything that is emotional, good or bad, is to journal about it. I find it cathartic to start my mornings by writing about what hurts, what feels wonderful and also about what's life-changing. I read a wonderful quote by Louise de Salvo that has always resonated with me. "Writing is a very sturdy ladder out of the pit" For me, this means I can be relieved of my pain or made to feel even happier if it's a joyful experience because of the sense of freedom that writing creates in my life.
Remembering all those affected personally and in any way at all by the senseless and tragic Boston Marathon bombings.
Do you have a tool that helps you work through pain or express your happiness? Please share with us in the comments.
I am a novice runner with two local friends who ran in the Boston Marathon on April 15. Thankfully, both are okay, as are all their family and friends.
ReplyDeleteYes, writing about these surreal, horrific events is cathartic. Writing helps us cope with unimaginable loss. Writing unites us in ways we never expected.