In a past post I told about how I came to be a writer. It wasn't a strong feeling that I was meant to be a writer, or that I had a topic burning to be told. I'll admit that I dreamed since sixth grade of writing a best selling novel. The years wore on, I taught elementary school, returned to college for certification in Library Science, and settled down in an elementary school library with two campuses. It was hard work but I learned the ins and outs of a school library. I think my years there taught me the difference in good and bad writing..the most popular books for the children were almost always the award winning ones. The desire was there to write but there was no time. I had four children and a husband to care for, plus the library responsibilities.
As the years past, jobs and locations changed but the desire to write was always there tucked safely in the recesses of my mind. Sometimes It was so strong that I wrote down ideas, titles for book, and story lines. Most of them were on scraps of paper and were soon lost.
Before I realized what was happening, I retired. That didn't mean that I slept late or watched teleision everyday. The days were soon filled with volunteer activities, church and community, doctors' appointments, lunches with friends, book clubs, "the feeding and care of grandchildren". The list was endless. Then one day my heart stood still for a few seconds. I didn't believe what I was hearing, although I had a suspicion. This could not be happening to me. As the doctor looked up from the report and said "I feel without a doubt you have Parkinson's Disease," I had flashbacks of my uncle who spent years in a nursing facility unable to wait on himself. Was this to be my fate? I researched this neurological disease with determination to find a positive result of medical research. It is true that there are new techniques and medications which work for some patients. As time passed I was prescribed more medication and my disease is manageable most of the time
Going back to shortly after I was diagnosed, I had a problem with sleeping ...some nights I slept maybe two or three hours. The time I was stressed out about not sleeping seemed wasted to me, so I began to write. I wrote everyday and soon I had to write or my day did not go well. I was into something that took my mind from the symptoms of Parkinson's.
I may never write that best seller but I'm having fun meeting other writers, doing charity book signings and doing a variety of writing, like this blog, for example.
I heartily recommend writing as therapy for mental and physical stress. It is good for the soul.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Please comment if you desire.
Darlene Eichler
