When I was a little girl I spent my days with my grandma while my single mom was at work. Those early childhood memories are of stirring homemade wheat bread and sugar cookie dough in her green Tupperware bowl, wearing vanilla “perfume” on my wrists, and watercolor painting to the click-click of her old typewriter. Sometimes I’d go to the basement for a bit to observe my grandpa fixing wristwatches and cuckoo clocks and when the bread was done Grandpa and I would walk past his koi fish pond to the neighbor’s house where we’d to share a loaf of the fresh bread, eat peppermints, and chat away the afternoon.
That was my life. That was my home. And that is how my story began.
As I grew older, new people entered my story. My mom began to stay at home with me and became more prominent in the plot, new characters were introduced (including my step-dad and seven siblings) and new chapters were written.
Now I’m married and have a family of my own, and so you could say I’m still working on my story, but this part is more of a sequel. See, we have two chances at writing our story. The first time around I didn’t have much control over the plot as I didn’t choose the characters (parents, siblings), setting (what kind of home I lived in), or the conflicts.
But this time around, as I write my second edition or “sequel,” I get a second chance, a second family, a second home. And so it’s up to me how my story goes.
This blog is a place to tell my story. It may not always be as organized as I’d like. But life is full of rough drafts, isn’t it? And thankfully we have a loving {heavenly} Teacher who guides and directs us, and allows us to polish those drafts and try again.
A dear college writing professor once gave this advice, “You tell your story and I’ll get mine.” She was referring to getting personal in our essays because humans crave connection and as we read about other’s experiences, we tend to relate and learn more about ourselves. And so this is where I’ll tell my story about my home, where my story begins.
And I hope you get yours.
What a beautiful way to look at life… the first part we don’t get to write, but the second part (the sequel) is ours to tell. I love it! Thanks for the new perspective 🙂
A new follower 🙂
~Realistic
I love your story and the your ideas about life as a story. I am trying to make my second life the best it can be by organizing, saving, and teaching my young children as well as other children since I have a home daycare. I am in love with your blog and can’t wait for more posts in the future. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
It sounds like you’re a great mentor to them.
Thanks so much for checking out my blog!! Come back soon :).
Im gonna be visiting your site often. Your story is inspirational. I am currently working on mine….thank you for sharing. You write very beautifully!
Thank you. That means so much to me. I hope you do find yours. It’s a continuous journey…
xoxo, Pam
Pam, I just listened to the Digi show episode that had you, Katie Nelson and Ali Edwards on it, and I heard this story referenced. Though I had read your blog before, I had to come back and find this. Thanks for sharing.
Well Pam, your story might be full of really amazing things that could help others when they need to know that IT GETS BETTER. Too many young women are lost in circumstances beyond their control and kept from a genuinely rewarding and unconditionally loving relationships. These girls need to know that there is life AFTER and it can be a life of ones own choosing, a life that is incredibly sweet and full of joy as yours has become. Your stories need to be told, maybe at first just for you, but then when you’re ready, for others. Those that love you still will.
Your scrapbooky stuff is charming. Your children are gobsmacking incredible.
When you’re done being so busy there’s some deep dynamic stuff that seems itching to get out. I can read it in between the lines. Thats where the real stories are.
There is something about grandparents and peppermints that bring a warmth that no winter can take away.
WOW–I love this! I really like your idea of getting a second shot at your story. Looking forward to getting a shot at my own family…started some of that when I met David…but it is in its nascent state. Looking forward to seeing you all sometime next week before we go up to the frigid Midwest. You all are an awesome family…we have lots to learn from you all. I am going to start coupon clipping as soon as we live closer to a grocery store other than Wal-Mart! We spend way too much money on groceries (and there are only 2 of us)! If you are still looking to buy an entire cow (or a half a cow), let me know, I have a good source for wholesome, organic, and happily raised cows (I know they are happy…I see them every morning on my way to work). How was the movie?
-erin
ps-do you have all of the questions that went into the question jar on file? It is something I would like to do for my newly married friends.
@Erin Wais-Hennen, Erin, thanks so much for taking the time to comment. It means so much to me :). Looking forward to seeing you guys this week and I’m happy to pass along any couponing tips!
I love what your teacher said… isn’t that so true? You tell your story and I’ll get mine. I never thought of it that way!