THIS IS DANIEL. HE IS DIGGING A GRAVE FOR HIMSELF ON THE SHORES OF CROW WING, MN. COME NIGHTFALL, ALONG WITH 15 OTHERS, HE PLANS TO RELEASE WHAT NO LONGER SERVES HIM INTO THE LOVING WOMB OF THE DARK MOTHER. HE'S A BIT TENSE HERE. AND DETERMINED. HE HAS NO WAY OF KNOWING IF EVERYTHING IN LIFE WILL BE OKAY. HE'S NOT SO SURE. BUT LOOK THERE IN THE BACKGROUND... SEE THAT GORGEOUS BLONDE SUNNING HERSELF ON THE ROCK, GENTLE BLUE WATER WHISTLING TOWARD HER ON THIS SPECTACULAR FALL DAY? AT THIS POINT, DANIEL HAS BARELY SPOKEN TO THIS AMAZING PERSON, ONLY SANDSTEPS AWAY. AT THIS POINT, DANIEL HAS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT SOMEDAY SOON HE IS GOING TO ASK THIS BEAUTIFUL WOMAN TO MARRY HIM.
So what's it like to be a writing teacher, anyway?
What's it like to read so many stories from so many different people who have all led/are leading such extraordinarily (same, but different) human lives? What's it like to be trusted with so many amazing stories, read to me week-after-week-after-week-after-week-after-week?
By the power vested in written words, I have magically traveled everywhere. Everythere. And everyhere. I've been in the back of impoverished busses bound for the city. I've been in Minneapolis when the streets were still road. I've been orphaned in large cities, incubated, adored, lost, found, loved... I've been to countless Midwestern farms.
I've read about small towns and big universities. I've read about first jobs, first kisses, first cars, first heartbreaks, first days of school... I've read about what happens when you lose someone you love and I've read the prequels, the stories about getting up the courage to ask the person you think you love to go for coffee, to a concert, to a movie, to get married...
THIS IS DANIEL. HE'S GETTING MARRIED.
One of the things that strikes me most about being involved in this amazing work and the stories of my students over the years is how we, in a community of writers, become so invested in the stories and lives of others. On numerous occasions we have joked that we know each other in our writing groups more than we know our families, coworkers, etc. But this is no surprise. When we linger with folks and go deep into their stories week after week, we build closeness.
But the other thing, the one thing I can say I have learned the most about being a writing teacher, is that the stories we share are gifts. I often feel as we are writing together in community that we are carefully wrapping presents for ourselves and one another and then ten or fifteen minutes later, we all gather beneath the writing tree and unwrap our gifts, unwrap our words, one-by-one. It's a sweet, simple, powerful ritual. For those moments, it's world peace.
So, why all this? Why all this waxing wonderful? Because, Daniel is getting married! And this week's prompt is writing him a Happy Wedding story and posting it right here on the blog. Why? Because, say it with me..."personal writing is the best gift you can give!"( Do you want a new stove or do you want a story about the time your mom cooked linguini on her first stove? Do you want a shiny new car or do you want a story about your dad's first date in his 52 Chevy? Remember Cameron in Ferris Bueller's Day Off? "What do you love, dad? You love a car!!!") Okay, so maybe you want a new car. TODAY. But a story lasts longer, lives forever!)
Why else? Because it's good for you. Because if you write it, you'll feel as good as you would after any yoga class. Because the reason we write really, is to communicate, to share, to see and be seen, hear and be heard. To raise consciousness.
Why else? Because Daniel is a man who deserves a thousand wedding wishes, whose journey toward happiness and authentic living and peace to all is an inspiration to many. Because Daniel, like many of us, has had some ups and downs in life. He's had some fairly tough struggles with his story, at times giving up on himself. But deep down he knew he would find truth and light and friends and dancing and drumming and Hudson Wisconsin and the joy of making pizza and motorcycle joy, winding down spring streaming roads of paper lilacs, ringing sweet nectar, paving petal-by-petal, the crepuscular creamy meadow toward good home. Nu? What's not to celebrate? How could you not want to wish wellness and blessings on that?
SO, HERE'S THE PLAN: DON'T WORRY IT'S REEEEEEEALLY EASY:
2. Scroll to the bottom of this story and find the place where it says Comments and Click
3. You'll get a box. Step inside that box. Type your Happy Wedding story.
4. You may have options to post anonymously or as you. Either is good.
5. Failing that (I know it's scary... oh, how I know it...) You can also send to me and I will post.
WHAT DO I SAY? you might ask? Whatever you want to say! Say it from the heart. Tell a story about your wedding or a wedding or your dream wedding. Say Mazel Tov or Namaste. Give wedding advice. Whatever! Dare to talk to a stranger or/and if you know Daniel, talk to him as the amazing writer, human, chi gong ninja that you know and love.
So Mazel Tov Daniel, my brother. And Mazel Tov to all brides and grooms and lovebirds everywhere. Love is a beautiful thing and the more we can celebrate the love that is all around us, the more love we will have within, without, witheverywhere. Choose love, brother, and Happiest Winding Meadow Trails to you and your beloved! xoxoxooxxo
