It’s about this time of life — the middle — that many in the Boomer Generation take stock of their lives, try to focus on what’s happened so far, and begin to consider future possibilities with a certain wisdom that only comes from lived experience. These are the years of midlife memoirs: writing down for yourself, or for others, something about the life you have lived and what significance it has had on who and where you are right now.
Many people journal. Short, simple thoughts, jotted on a page in a book that only the writer reads. There is no thought of publication. For those who want to share their daily musings with the world at large, blogging has become the medium of choice.
But for some, like Patricia Harman, publishing a memoir in the traditional sense (hardcover, published by a major house) is the route to go. “The Blue Cotton Gown, A Midwife’s Memoir,” is a powerful story of her life and work as a midwife in the hard scrabble world of Appalachia. The many women and families she encounters in her practice turn to her for help, and she cares for both their bodies and their spirits.
The stories she retells weave a tale of compassion where the best of self is discovered. Women dealing with life and death choices come to her for help and no matter the cost, she responds. Throughout the memoir, Harmon does not flinch from telling of her own struggles with her career, dealing with financial difficulties, doubts about the future, and her own sudden illness that threatens the medical practice that she and her husband struggle to maintain.
My last post focused on the surprising miracle of Susan Boyle, from Britain’s Got Talent! (Click here to read.) The world is amazed at how much talent this woman has and how such a voice could remain hidden in a little village in Scotland. Surely, she should have been “discovered” years ago.
Well, let me assure you, that there is miraculous talent everywhere! It just needs a little help to get heard. Check out this audio clip I just received from one of my readers. The producers wandered the globe recording this famous song, Stand By Me, inviting local musicians to contribute their remarkable talents. It proves the point, that talent and enthusiasm for sharing it, really is without borders.
No matter who, or where we are, we are joined by the music, the song, the rhythm and the energy! Check out Playing for Change, a multi-media movement created to inspire, connect and bring peace to the world through music. I’m inspired!
I just viewed the YouTube video of Susan Boyle, (use the link to the video at the end of this post), a nearly 48 year old woman from Scotland who recently auditioned on the Britain’s Got Talent TV Show (the inspiration for the U.S. hit show American Idol.) To look at her you would think Susan Boyle was just a common middle aged woman with crazy hair, heavy eyebrows and no fashion sense. She was wearing what can only be described as a “mother of the bride nightmare dress.”
The audience and the three judges were clearly skeptical. There were a lot of raised eyebrows, rolling of the eyes and tittering in the crowd when she was first introduced. No one expected anything much from this simple midlifer who lives with her cat Pebbles in a small town. “I’ve never been married, never been kissed,” she admitted to the crew back stage. “But I’m going to make that audience rock.” And she did.
From the moment she opened her mouth and began the first notes of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables the audience was ga ga! She has a fabulous voice and the judges knew they were witnessing something extraordinary. Unemployed before the audition, Susan Boyle is now in demand by media everywhere. She is even scheduled to be on the Oprah show!
What makes this all very miraculous is that even at the boomer age of 47-48, Susan Boyle had a dream she was willing to go for! Life has handed her some tough stuff, but she believed in what she wanted to be: a professional singer, and though it took her years to finally get her chance, she clearly believes in her talent and is making this dream come true!
Midlifers everywhere should take heart from this remarkable woman. Believe in your dreams, work to achieve them, give your self permission to succeed, grab life and GO FOR IT!
When you find yourself alone after partnership, there are many ways to find your way moving about as a Single. Some ways are easier or more difficult than others…and all take courage. This was my way…through Dance, and in a series of forms that fulfilled a particular need at each phase of the transition.
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A number of years ago, upon entering mid-life, a series of life changing issues required decisions that demanded attention and action. After the ending of a long partnership and a way of life “in tandem,” it was necessary to enter an also seemingly long period of personal healing and the crafting of social behaviour comfortably as a solo woman in a world of couples.
Some women at that time feel so lonely and befuddled, that they are hungry to find a relationship as soon as possible, and at any cost, to not feel isolated and “odd” while surrounded by couples. Others, perhaps those of us who initiated our leap to single-status, desire a conscious time to experience the taste of freedom and listen deeply, without distraction and compromise, to where our Soul and individual unique story may be leading us.
Yet feeling alone during times of transition is a human experience we all know, whether “together” or “single,” and feeling isolated is probably one of the most devastating heartaches we might be asked to bear in a variety of circumstances. Continue Reading »
Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot of stories about personal failure. Not mine… though I have certainly failed at one thing or another. But stories of friends who have worked hard to achieve their dream, and it just hasn’t worked out quite the way they expected. Not easy getting up, regrouping, getting new ducks in a row and trying again.
This afternoon I received a link to a short inspirational message that speaks to the point. Without failures, life would not be what it is. Lessons would not be learned, and new ideas would die before they blossomed. Take a minute and watch this video clip from wimp.com.
But for some, like Patricia Harman, publishing a memoir in the traditional sense (hardcover, published by a major house) is the route to go. “The Blue Cotton Gown, A Midwife’s Memoir,” is a powerful story of her life and work as a midwife in the hard scrabble world of Appalachia. The many women and families she encounters in her practice turn to her for help, and she cares for both their bodies and their spirits.
