My Last Writing Assignment

by Deanna

I just completed a Writing Class in an Adult Continuing Education class at our local college.  There were 5 women in the class, all of us in the same age category, grown children, most of us were retired, so we had a lot in common.  It was pure pleasure sharing 5 weeks with these women, learning and listening to their stories.  Since I moaned about coming up with original topics on my last post 2 weeks ago, I thought instead of trying once again to be original I would share with you my last writing assignment.

"I think everyone has a passion, or should.  There needs to be something in your life that you feel passionate about….whether it be reading a good book, writing a story, cooking, gardening, teaching, whatever it may be, everyone needs to have a passion.  I have had several passions in my life, some greater than others, some I still have, maybe not as intense as they once were, and some have fallen by the wayside. 

My passion for several years was the craft of rubber stamping.  I was lucky enough to land a job at The Stamp Shack after retiring from AT&T (which by the way, was not a passion).  A job that I found fun, rewarding, and a place I could release my creativity.  My passion for rubber stamping continued for several years, spending a day in my “studio” aka the basement, was a little slice of heaven for me, creating, getting messy, making a mess, all part of my creative passion.

The Stamp Shack, sadly closed but my passion for rubber continued.  As my husband’s dementia began to worsen, he demanded more of my time, resulting in less time for me and my passion.   No longer could I spend hours in my studio getting lost in the creative mess.  But creative people need an outlet or a sense of frustration begins to creep in, a feeling of uneasiness and loss.  My birthday was approaching and by this time, my husband had progressed to the point of barely knowing what a birthday was.  That year I decided I would purchase my own gift and that gift to myself was a Nikon DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera, or as I refer to it as my “big girl camera”.  I had always enjoyed taking pictures of my family, our vacations and my garden but now I felt I wanted to go beyond the “point and shoot camera” and really learn some photography.   And I was bound and determined to learn to use this expensive camera and not shoot everything in auto mode. 

Since I could no longer leave my husband at home alone for any length of time, I immediately registered for an on-line digital photography class on how to use your camera… to discover what aperature, shutter speed, and ISO meant.   Ten years ago this would have been impossible, but today education is as close as your internet connection. It was love at first sight….literally.  I fell in love with what my eye could see through the lens.  It was my new found passion, my heart was overflowing again and it was an enjoyment that I could even share with my husband.  He would walk with me as we went on my photo excursions, holding my bag, or lens, and even posing for me when asked.  I had found my creative outlet, my passion, and was still able to be present for my husband.   I do believe this new-found passion saved me from total despair.  Having your husband slowly fading away was devastating, but the beauty that I found in my photography continued to remind me of the blessings and joy that surrounded me.

Two years later I made the decision to place my husband in a memory care facility.  The 24/7 attention that he required became an overwhelming burden that was leading to my health failing. 

My passion for photography has continued and grown over these years.  I am now on my third dslr, stepping up each time and my collection of lenses do everything from wide angle to macro photography.  I see beauty thru these lenses, whether it be a sweet-faced child or the lichen growing on the shady side of a tree.  I do believe photography has given me a passion for life.  I created a blog over 2 years ago that I consider my photographic journal, a little writing with a lot of images.  And I continue to learn more and more as I journey with this new found passion.  Currently I am in an on-line “posing” class and Sunday I leave for a 5 day photography class in the Great Smoky Mountains.  Passions are good, they teach you to focus, to learn, to share, keep you young and mine I believe saved me from despair."  

And another one of our assignments was to write a story in 50 words or less...do you know how hard that is to come up with a comprehensive story in 50 words or less??....here was mine.

"The white shiny box loomed ahead.  Approaching it, she reached and pulled at the handle feeling the blast of cold air.  Staring at the contents, amid the reds, greens, and yellows, along with the boxes, cartons and bottles surely the fixings for dinner was in there somewhere."  

So I guess my post today is really about finding something that you really love, because it certainly will not only enhance your life but possibly save you from despair.  And never stop learning....

"Live as if you will die tomorrow.  Learn as if you will live forever."  ~  Mahatma Gandhi