I always say when I publish a new book, when someone asks, “What’s your favorite of the books you’ve written?” my answer is always, “The latest one!”
From January to March 2024, I have facilitated a writing class at Glenbrooke Senior Living in Florida. The class, called You Are Unique! met weekly to write personal stories these octogenarians could leave as legacies to their families. In addition to these personal essays and reflections, they have written their obituaries. They decided no one knows them better than themselves. Their remarkable, wise observations and memories reflect experiences which otherwise would not be preserved. They can now be considered authors.
Their achievements will be celebrated at a book-signing event at the end of April 2024.
The amazing stories from these seniors have inspired all of us, and the group of writers has become a close-knit group through their creative experience. Each weekly entry has inspired further creativity and deeper moments of reflection. When we first began, there was considerable apprehension and many comments such as “I don’t have anything to write,” or “My life is nothing special,” or “My family won’t care about what I say,” or “It’s not good enough for anyone to read.” They have discovered that indeed, they do impart wisdom and they are learning to see that authenticity is respected. This groups of seniors, most over eighty years old, have wonderful stories that need to be preserved as their legacy.
My procedure is tried and true. For years in my teaching, I provided students with pictures as prompts for their writing. We called them picture essays. I’ve used the same practice with the class, eventually weaning them off pictures so they can use their imagination. In the second section of the class, which we began yesterday, they will write their own memoirs, step by step with promts such as: what is your birth order and how did it affect you? (yesterday one woman told us about her finding her sister after the age of eighty! This dear woman was in fifteen foster homes before she was five and was out on her own at eighteen. Her life story is a tribute to the human spirit of determination and her remarkable skills). The next topic they’ll explore is their neighborhood and early childhood exploration. Then schooling, first home, career, hobbies, etc. I expect our second anthology will be available sometime in June if all goes as planned.
You, dear readers, can attend their first-ever book signing as authors on April 29th from 2:99-3:00 at Glenbrooke Senior Living in Palm Bay. We would love to have you join us in our celebration as authors. Please let me know you plan to attend by emailing me at bjack2723@aol.com with book signing as the subject. I do not open all emails, so be sure to use the subject line. The reception will be held in the Clubhouse.
The ebook will be available in a few days, and the paperback will be available the end of the week Please take time to read these wonderful stories and be blessed.
About the Author
