Cancer Survival, Hauntings, Toying With Spirituality and Pissing Off My Mother
That ‘s what 2018 has been for me.
Also, I became an actual “writer” this past year.
If I had to define 2018 with one word-it would be STRENGTH.
Inner, outer, personal, emotional, physical STRENGTH.
January, February and the first part of March were the most challenging pieces of this past year.
This was when I first began writing on Medium. This is also when Dave and I were diagnosed with cancer,17 hours apart-he had colon cancer, and I had cervical. We both had surgeries and A LOT of recovery time together. We built our strength within ourselves and within our relationship. We are both fine now, but this month he found out the surgical site herniated, so was are awaiting a new surgery date from the Doctor.
During the Spring time, as I recovered, I was working on a book for a new client, and continued on Medium. As I wrote more and more, I found that I was FINALLY able to share my stories of my past. At the time, I never knew my Mother was following me on Medium, and I inadvertently pissed her off with a few of my pieces. I would like to feel apologetic, but in all honesty I don’t. Again, STRENGTH has helped me to be myself and write what I want about my past.
This was when I finally started to figure out Medium, and was picked up by a “Publication”. I never knew at that time, what that actually meant, but I celebrated being “finally” recognized in my writing.
Once my momentum started picking up, I wrote more, and worked REALLY hard on closing some doors of my past, so that I could look more to my future. I decided to put some of the issues in my rearview mirror behind me, after a bit of “writing reflection”.
If not for being a Medium writer, I never would have been able to flush out some of the struggles and challenges I have had in my life-especially after I was diagnosed with extremely high anxiety and depression. Medium LITERALLY gave me the Strength to write, feel and express.
After that, I was addicted to this forum. I began networking with other writers, reading more of everyone’s work, and putting myself heart deep in my new world of “sharing”. I felt like sharing my horrible past, my current life, my knowledge of my profession and general tips and tricks for self help, and strength and courage helped me to “try”.
At times I know I “over shared”, and perhaps the world of readers on here weren’t quite “ready” for what I had to say, but that’s okay. Sometimes, it is just not about the reader, but, the work of the piece, that is therapeutic.
Sometimes I just relaxed an wrote Fiction:
And, sometimes, I wrote about controversial topics like these:
Mostly, I just shared what was on my mind, at the time. Typically a topic or idea pops into my head, and the words just flow through my soul, as I looked out my office window at the various seasons and clicked away on my laptop.
Medium has given me so much more than I could ever imagine. We, as writers are blessed to have this forum, even with all of its ups and downs.
I have been able to use my inner voice to share so many strange happenings in my life this past year, and without Medium giving me a place for that voice, I am unsure if I would be as “sane” as I am now.
It has also been a blessing getting to know other writers through Social Media, and being able to support them in their craft, as I share with them.I have had successful pieces, and I have had Duds that I have shared. Fortunately, there always seems to be “one” person who provides feedback or supportive words, even when you feel like you are failing.
The STRENGTH that I have gathered over this year, has MUCH to do with being a Member on this platform, and I have all of you to thank. Publications, Readers, and Fellow writers have brought out a new strength in me, and a new drive, that I am utterly grateful for. I have learned SO much from being a part of this community and from all of the amazing talent on Medium.
I cannot wait to see what the next year’s journey will be for all of us!
Farewell 2018-Thank you for building my strength!
Happy New Year to ALL of You ❤
