“It is not up to you to finish your work, but you are not a liberty to quit.”
–The Talmud
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"Laura's writing prompts are juicy and creative and through them, I am remembering my own life story."
--Bryana Garcia -
"Laura has helped me breathe life into words that had waited so long to hear their voices spoken aloud. Her prompts were the nourishment I needed to begin my long journey as a writer. I am so grateful to Laura for the gift she is."
--Paula Mahoney -
"Writing with Laura is a dream come true...she's funny, smart, insightful, and willing to risk putting her own life experience down on the page. Writing practice has proven to be a form of meditation in action for me: it has revealed dark corners of my mind that were begging for illumination, and healed broken pieces of my heart. I have cried, laughed, marveled at the insights a simple thing like writing practice has given me. I have used it in the groups I run with first-time older mothers, and even the women who say they have no skill writing are led into deep and wonderful places inside themselves. This is an experience not to be missed."
--Nancy London MSW, author, "Hot Flashes, Warm Bottles: First-Time Mothers Over Forty" -
"Laura Davis's Writer's Journey is about possibilities. Not about being published or receiving accolades, but the possibility of discovery: discovery of my creativity, my joys and sorrows, the discovery of me. Laura supports that journey through a wide range of prompts that are ever changing, always interesting, and many times seems tailored to my personal experience. With each of her prompts, I frequently find myself saying, "How did she know?"
--Alison Liszewski -
"With Laura's guidance, I have been able to discover and develop the writer inside of me who had been waiting in darkness my whole life for the support and safety to emerge."
---Terresa Lauer -
"Laura's writing retreat was a rare and beautiful gift. It was a real treat to be with an eclectic, quiet, exuberant, creative group of people gathered to write our hearts out. Laura created a safe, accepting space for us to let go and pour ourselves onto the page. There were no red letter Fs for us-just lots of great food, a beautiful setting and a wealth of wild writing."
--Jamie Willamon, stay-at-home mom and retreat participant -
"My writer's block has disappeared."
--Laurie Simpkinson -
"Laura is a gifted writing teacher. Her prompts have changed my relationship to writing, making my words more natural and spontaneous. I have begun to remember events from my past more completely and vividly than before. That has been a great gift for me."
--Linda Wright -
"I signed up for the retreat, unsure what to expect. I went with trepidation: 'Would I be good enough?' 'Would it get too personal?' 'Was it worth the money?' I came home extremely glad I had gone. It wasn't about being good enough; it was about being encouraged to find my voice. I rediscovered how much I love to write and was relieved to meet other people like me, who need to write as much as they need to breathe."
--Stephanie Huff, Director of Marketing for firstRain, a software company -
"Because Laura has inspired me to follow my voice, I am finally on track and moving ahead with great clarity."
--Cooper Gallegos -
"Laura encourages her writers to write about whatever they have passion for and to write from the heart."
--Marcia Heinegg, author of California to New Zealand THE LONG WAY -
"I signed up for the retreat, unsure what to expect. I went with trepidation: 'Would I be good enough?' 'Would it get too personal?' 'Was it worth the money?' I came home extremely glad I had gone. It wasn't about being good enough; it was about being encouraged to find my voice. I rediscovered how much I love to write and was relieved to meet other people like me, who need to write as much as they need to breathe."
--Stephanie Huff, Director of Marketing for firstRain, a software company -
"I would encourage anyone who has even a passing interest in developing themselves as a writer, or who feels "stuck" personally and is looking for some tools to push them to a new level to develop a writing practice using Laura’s prompts. I guarantee you will be changed by this experience!
--Nancy Cohen -
"Laura Davis writes with heart and soul and offers a path to self-love, compassion for others, community, and inner peace."
--Wendy Maltz, M.S.W., Author of The Sexual Healing Journey -
"Laura Davis is an exceptionally warm, motivating teacher. I never considered myself a writer until I took her workshop. Her caring attitude, personal concern for my well-being and progress, as well as her years of experience, inspired me to become a writer. I am writing almost every day now and will publish my first piece in October."
--Kathy Williams, singer and songwriter -
"Thank you for your words, your continuing courage, and for inspiring so many of us."
--Leslie Smith, Santa Cruz, California -
"I am so grateful to have you as my writing teacher. Without your keen instruction and astute instincts, writing would still be a vague yearning inside of me. Perhaps the most effective technique in your teaching bag of tricks is not a tool at all, but your steadfast willingness to fearlessly, beautifully put yourself on paper. The perfect original lesson of demonstration still tops them all."
--Nancy Miner -
"When I first met Laura Davis, I was still a fledgling writer. I knew how to tell a story, but I had a difficult time connecting with my work emotionally. After a week of writing practice with Laura and Natalie Goldberg, my work deepened far beyond anything I ever expected. Since that time, I've continued to work with Laura. Her teaching style is open and inspirational. She's been instrumental in helping me bring my characters to life. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to improve their writing and deepen their emotional connection with their work."
--Larry Snow, currently completing a novel, A Nearling's Story -
"Laura brings a sense of ritual to the habits of daily writing which makes something magical of the routine."
--Sherri Paris -
"We all come to Laura because we want to write, or write more, or write better. Through writing practice, we do each of these things and slowly but surely, we evolve into writers. Laura has the insight, the patience, and the steadiness that guides even the most unsure among us out into the open and onto the page."
--Zoe Elizabeth -
"What is most compelling to me about Laura's work is the wonderful balance she conveys, both in person and in her writing, between being both a teacher and an ongoing, active learner. She is completely credible as she shares both her own and others' stories for the benefit of mutual learning. This is a relief from the more "expert" point of view, which has a way of making me feel small and disengaged."
--Kerry Messer, workshop participant, Oakland, California -
"Laura has a unique combination of skills: her own talents as a writer, her clarity and gentle guidance as a teacher, and her fierce commitment to supporting others in finding their own unique voice. Taken together, these are rare and precious gifts."
-- Terresa Lauer, grateful, blossoming WRITER! -
"Laura’s constant encouragement and inspiration has pushed me to pursue my real dream of making a career of writing."
--Larae Ross -
"As I develop my authentic voice, Laura has helped me develop techniques, confidence and a discernment that quells my overzealous inner critic."
--Emily Bording
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I am not at liberty to quit helping anyone who crosses my path now or tomorrow. I have devoted my life to helping by listening, caring, sharing I will only walk this way once I want it to be the best walk I can make it.
That’s terrific, Christy. The world needs more people like you!
I am not at liberty to stop moving towards a longset goal of writing and talking about what has been my experiences with life skills with the passion to help others help themselves, even though so much of what appears to be life’s distractions are necessary experiences on this journey. For this elder It helps to find humor every day in the little things that make up living–such as finding out what 69 earth years looks like for me.
You go, Nola. Share that wisdom! You’ve earned it.
Write, write, and write! It’s the other work I can’t give up!
I know the definition of a caregiver is “one who gives care,” but it’s curious to me that the word isn’t then constructed as “give-carer.” Therefore, the placement of “care” before “giver,” does not seem to be a grammatical fluke; you have to care to be a caregiver. You don’t interview or volunteer for the work. It may creep up or come like a bolt out of the blue, but when the need is upon you, if you care, you become a caregiver. It was a slow creep with a sudden tipping point, in my case, with Mom’s macular degeneration combined with Dad’s diagnosis of congestive heart failure, that threw me into the role. I suppose I could have hired help—and to be sure, I have learned to call for help when I need it—but it boils down to caring. A co-worker once observed, “the one that cares the most does the work.” I know that nobody will care about my parents more than I do, so I am their primary caregiver. I also know that I’m not at liberty to quit the role, but realistically liberty will come, with time, but at a terrible price. I leave the role through my parents’ deterioration to the point that health professionals must take over, their deaths, or my own death or disability. “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.”
Jean, your writing, as usual, was very moving to me. I was especially touched by your words, “I also know that I’m not at liberty to quit the role, but realistically liberty will come, with time, but at a terrible price.”
Today a friend who has been in a similar role for her parents, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s. Her e-mail, your prompt, and my own circumstances were much on my mind as I wrote. Thank you.
So sorry about your friend.
I have retired twice, now, from teaching. At age 65, I retired from full-time teaching at a communiity college and moved the the Sierra foothills. A year later, I was teaching part time at my local college. Two years later, after my granddaughter was born and the budget was slashed simultaneously, I retired again.
Evidently, though, my work isn’t finished, and I’m not free to quit. I’ve long been intrigued by a one-room school,down from two rooms due to layoffs, near my home, and now I’m volunteering there three days a week. In past years, depending on enrollment, there have been one or two teachers. Due to declining enrollment, the superintendent/princpal is also the only teacher, necessitating his reliance on a few paid staff and volunteers. Twenty-two students, from kindergarten through eighth grade are enrolled in the school which is a combination charter school, Montessori, or learning center depending on what’s happening.. I’m working with the kindergarten-first grade group. We’re focusing on managing little bodies along with early reading and math. I’m learning how much I don’t know about teaching and early learning. I’m also learning how much teachers of young children have to know about teaching and child development. I didn’t enjoy the first week much – the second week a little more – but now I’m having fun. I’m energized by the students and glad to be learning again at my “advanced age.”
There’s a bit mor freedom when you’re a volunteer and don’t carry the weight of the whole classroom….enjoy the kids and the ongoing learning. You’re obviously a lifetime learner, the best kind of person to be!
I am not at liberty to quit working on trying to uncover who I am. There is an uncontrollable desire to find out who this woman is who abandoned herself years ago in search of love. She settled for men who abused her and repeatedly let her down. Why couldn’t her parents love her? Why did her brother molest her? There was the little girl who longed for her Daddy to hold her when she was hurting. Yet, he was so consumed with his own needs that he barely had time to notice her beauty and charm. It is only now 50+ years later that I am able to sit still long enough to ask these questions in the quest to uncover my true self. The work is intense and painful at times, yet I am discovering the most beautiful and interesting things about myself.
Dianne, I deeply admire your courage–and your willingness to take this journey.
“Code blue in room 216.”
“Code blue in room 216.”
I could hear my voice over the intercom echoing down the hall. I dashed to the side of the bed and hit the CPR button, which deflated the mattress to a hard board. I removed the pillow from under Mr. Murphy’s head, jumped onto my knees on the bed and checked his vitals.
“No breathing.” I gave two quick breaths.
“No pulse. No breathing. Begin CPR.”
I began to count out loud.
“One and two and three and four and five.”
Two more breaths.
I vaguely remember family crying and screaming but they sounded so distant. I was focused on my patient. I heard my colleagues enter, clear the room and set up the crash cart. I didn’t stop to look around.
“No pulse, No breathing, continue CPR.”
“One and two…”
One of the nurses had the “bag” to help with breathing. The doctor came in, grabbed me around the waist, and pulled me off the bed.
“Good Dawn, we’ll take it from here. Charge to 200. Clear!”
I moved away from the bed, backing out the door. As the adrenaline wore off, my legs began to quiver. I slide down the wall, to the floor and put my head on my knees. Trying to stop the shakes, I closed my eyes and concentrated on my breathing.
I could hear all the commotion still going on in the room but I couldn’t focus on it. A scene from no more than 5 minutes before popped into my head.
“Good morning Mr. Murphy. How are you today?”
“Oh just fine.”
“Do you remember me,” I asked?
“Yea. You’re not a doctor, you’re a speech therapist and your name is like a car. Is it Chevy?”
Everyone in the room started to laugh.
“Close,” I said.
“No. No,” he smiled. “I remember the trick you taught me. Dawn like the sunrise, Ford like the car.”
“Very good Mr. Murphy! You do remember. Are these all your children?”
“Yep. Ms Ford. All 16 of them. Even Darren, the one I told you about.” He touched the arm of a young man next to him.
I smiled and nodded at all the faces around the room, lingering on Darren.
“So all is well now,” I said winking at Mr. Murphy?
“Yep. I can die a happy man.”
I touched his hand and he squeezed mine, smiling at his children. Then without warning, his eyes rolled back into his head and he slumped over.
The doctor’s words brought me back to the present.
“I’m calling it. Who’s going to tell the family?”
I lifted my head, and spoke into the room. “I will.”
Then slowly I stood up, straightened out my lab coat and with my head low, walked down the hall.
Dawn, I love work stories….and this one was incredibly moving. Thanks for posting it–and for the work that you do.
XOXOXOOXOXO!
I am a writer and a poet. I am not at liberty to quit this work. I must speak my truth for all to read and hear. It has been said “It is difficult to get the news from poems yet men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there”. I concur. This is important in these challenging times. I write every day. I create my poems, I journal, I write in forums like this one, and thank you, Laura Davis, for providing a safe and wonderful home for my work. You are blessed indeed. I am so glad you have given me this opportunity and I have used it in a positive way and appreciate your supportive feedback. You encourage me to keep on writing and writing. And I will.