I joined a writing class of the Osher Program at RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) in April of 2013. It was a little over a month after my dear wife of 62 years died. I needed some form of creative activity to keep myself busy and ease the pain of her departure. It was slow going at first, but it definitely helped.
The biggest lesson I learned from that, still ongoing, experience was that we are all writers. And, of course, happily, we are all different. Difference makes life. No difference – no life, simple as that…
The life I was interested in at the time, was my own. My main light had gone out and I was left in the dark. Blind, dumb, and hurting. I needed to be able to see again and relearn how to live and laugh.
As I said, at first it was slow going. My breakthrough came when I was able to develop a style of my own. Well, not really my own, as we all build on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. Through a strictly trial and error process, I hit upon a style that was favorably received by my peers (class members had to write and recite their stories to each other, as a significant part of the learning process). I built my style upon the shoulders of those who authored jokes, most especially Jewish jokes.
They all had profound lessons in their substance, and were enjoyable to hear. A great combination. It worked, and I turned a big corner in my becoming a writer, and benefitting from the doing. Writing is a significant way to find oneself and began to relearn and live again. It lighted a path for regaining my spiritual balance. It is still working. The truth is I have become an addict. It is my version of something I can do to relight my life. I deeply want to relight my life.
An additional benefit of my experience has been that I am able, through the writing experience, to get a better view of my fellow students in my writing class. Each has a distinct style, and though at first I was somewhat startled at some of their expressions, I came to understand and most importantly to respect them, and the personalities they reflected. I know these people better than I know most, and I am happier for it. Writing facilitates the emergence of good. It becomes your version of you.
When you get to know yourself, you are in control. You can learn to use all events good and bad to your best advantage. Such a talent!!! Such a lifesaver!!!
Let “Relighting Us” be your writing class. You will get to know a lot of people who suffered the same loss as you. You will read how they were able to relight their lives. They will help you. You will help them. A win-win deal.