Some might wonder what is bold about these 233 words I offer to you today.
Well, any time we do anything outside convention it is bold. Countercultural? Bold.
The fact I watch my grandson (who isn’t my grandson by blood, he is my grandson because of a braided set of circumstances that began nearly thirty years ago) full time plus is something bold. It isn’t something I would choose to do for the next seventeen years of my life as one friend suggested.
The fact I am choosing to find a way to weave my writing back into my life as I care for my grandson is a triple threat or a hat-trick of boldness. To invoke the creative process consistently in the company of an eleven-month-old is one of the boldest proclamations of hope a granny *or Mommy or Daddy or Sibling* can make.
So now, onto the 233 words I scribed yesterday and am finally getting back to the keyboard to post today.
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It has been a long time since I’ve written with a baby at my feet.
I remember many late nights with little ones sitting behind me in my chair as I wrote, wrote, wrote. I remember women writers and poets from generations past. Stories of women with ten children and more finding stolen moments behind their aprons to scribe at least something. Something.
Our voices need to find their place.
I need to speak with words and to know you are reading gratifies me as well.
It is just for me, first.
The baby is whining now. My grandson.
I pick him up and we hug. He squirms so his cheek is next to mine. Now this is a fabulous feeling, soft cheek against soft cheek. We dance a bit, swaying back and forth, loving this Granny-Baby moment. I don’t rush to put him down, I cherish this time.
It took time for me to train my children about Mommy’s writing time. Granny and this sweet guy will get it. I am wise enough to know it will be more grabbed moments here and there then long, sustained writing retreats.
That’s just how it works.
It is up to me to learn how to write within this particular container for this chapter of our lives.
He is back. I think it’s time to move away from the keyboard.
Perfect.
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Julie Jordan Scott is a writer, performance poet, Mommy and mixed-media artist. Coming soon - more creativity camps, playgrounds and workshops to grow yourself artistically (and hey, just for fun!)
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© 2014 - Julie Jordan Scott - all rights reserved
This post is a part of the ongoing series for 31 Days challenge. I will be writing 31 blog stories about bold choices and using a bold voice....
I started the challenge late, and now I am caught up. This is my seventh story.
I actually have managed to be bold a lot in the last few days and plan to follow my adventures right here in this series.
The question is making sure to carve out the time and to document it all in a way you'll enjoy reading about bold choices in a most authentic, real-me voice.
I'm grateful you are reading.
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