the best intentions

I started with the best intentions...well over a year ago! Oh, how time flies. Certain aspirations give way to more pressing needs. The work to pay the bills. The work to be a part of art we can believe in. The work to nurture our relationships with family and friends. And then there's the self-doubt. "Why would anyone care what I have to say?" "My writing isn't good enough to put out there in the world."

A million what? Excuses, explanations, justifications. Maybe I just need to say, "enough, just do it already!" So, here I go again. Giving it another try. Hoping I can stay consistent or at least tend to it more frequently. No matter what.

I recently took a class with a dear friend who is not only an amazingly gifted writer, creator and teacher, but also a beautiful soul and friend. Cheri was teaching a class aimed at the writer of musical theatre songs. Part of her process was to engage us with daily writing prompts which we would approach from wherever we found ourselves. While there was a certain burden of responsibility in it, I found the freedom of no stylistic expectation or length requirement really opened me up. Here's one of the daily writings I was particularly happy with.

---

The Daily prompt was - LETTER

Of the many letters she brought life to, there’s one I hold most dear. It was her letter J. Perhaps it was because it was the first letter in her name, Judy. Whatever the reason, it seemed she had styled her entire writing font around this singularly expressive letter. It represented her. Not in the simple way one might assign their initials as a signature, but it truly made you think of her. It carried her essence.

There in the up swinging curve of the initial stroke was her buoyant joy and positivity. It carried all the midwestern heartiness of her Bavarian ancestry in it’s full bodied circle. It’s strong down stroke plunged, a sturdy spine, a true backbone, echoing the strength of her resolve and depth. Then in a spark of mischief, the J rebounds in a wide grin. A warm and loving, toothy smile, I’ll always see in my memories. The J finally finishes in a little cross over flourish of a curl. A wink of her eye for fashion.

Yes. The letter of all letters for me. Is my mother Judy’s J.