Christmas is a joyous time because it coincides here in the Northeast with colder and cloudier days that force indoor time and introspection. It’s a teaching time, learning to value what we have, as well as appreciating that all of us have so much in common. That, after all, is the human condition and the true meaning of this season.
I love the holiday glitz and glamour, but where would I be without the Women’s Writing Circle? Throughout the year, as we have for the past fourteen years (yes, can you believe it, we first met in 2009?), we come together to celebrate in an amazing variety of ways, offering poignant memories and imaginative writing through poems, memoirs, and fiction.
It’s a time when I especially appreciate friends since I have a small family… there are only six of us… my sons, me, and our three dogs. I miss my parents and mostly my husband, but friends buffer grief and offer good cheer. Each of my friends is a world unto herself. We are unique with differing backgrounds, experiences, and even perspectives but all the more to make our bonds richer.
Each month I end my messages to our Women’s Writing Circle with the quote from Margaret Atwood: A word after a word after a word is Power. Words frame our artistic maturity in a way that provides invaluable insight into the collective consciousness of the feminine. The Circle is a sacred container that allows that trust and journey to flourish.
It’s not just writing but baked goods, favorite books, and gifts from the heart that make for a warm and supportive atmosphere.
We cultivate the craft of writing by studying the work of other writers and sharing resources available locally and online.
Here’s a retrospective of some of those happy times in 2023 with our Women’s Writing Circle, who offered me so much joy and creativity. A special thank you to the Chester Springs Library in Historic Yellow Springs for hosting us in their community room with views of sky and field. I hope to see you again in the new year, as well as welcome new members who desire … and dare… to dip a toe into the wonder that is writing.
Happy Holidays! May we continue to find in connection a wonderful new year.
