Motherhood & Words

I’m back!

August 30, 2016 / Kate /

I hadn’t actually meant to take the summer off from blogging, but somehow life felt too big to condense into manageable blog posts, so I remained silent here.

It was a busy summer, one that held a mix of happy and sad, relaxed and hectic. Donny and I painted the living room and stairway and upstairs hall, which took what felt like forever. We also spent lots of time with family and friends and on small and large adventures with the girls. We were in town and out of town. I did lots editing, working on many fine manuscripts with many fine writers. And I spent time thinking about big stuff—life, death, that sort of thing. My step-brother, Brett, died on July 1 after an 8-month battle with stomach cancer, and it was just sad, really sad. He was only 47 years old. So this summer I thought a lot about Brett and about the fact that nothing in life is guaranteed.

I do want to revisit some of my thoughts on this summer. I want to write about what home has come to mean to me, and also about how humbled I was earlier this month when I celebrated a decade of Motherhood & Words with some of my first M&W students. I’ll revisit these things in the coming weeks as I settle back into my work routine in my tiny office that is once again quiet. I hope you’ll join me again and forgive my long absence. I look forward to reconnecting!

Posted in

Tags

appearances blogging community conferences contest essay fiction haiku interviews life memoir motherhood mother love music poetry prematurity reading readings ready for air ready for air blog tour retreats teaching use your words Use Your Words Blog Book Tour writing

Kate

I have been teaching creative writing for almost twenty years. Reading about other women’s lives and experiences has expanded my world. To be able to walk in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s for a moment or an hour or a few days, is an incredible gift, providing me with insight into the human experience. It takes courage to write your truths, especially if it doesn’t seem as though anyone cares, as though anyone is listening. Let me tell you: your stories matter, I’m listening, and I’m here to help you find the heart of those truths, to get them down on the page, to craft them, and to send them out into the world. Together, we will change the world, one story at a time.

12 Comments

  1. victoria on August 30, 2016 at 2:44 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. Sending love.



    • Kate on August 30, 2016 at 3:38 pm

      Thank you, Victoria! How are you?



  2. Sue on August 30, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    Welcome back. Sorry to hear about Brett- such losses lead us to reexamine life- as you say, now guarantees. Hugs.



    • Kate on August 31, 2016 at 9:13 am

      Thank you, Sue! xox



  3. Kristen Spina on August 30, 2016 at 6:11 pm

    I’m so so sorry for your loss. Cancer blows. Sending love and yes, I can’t wait to read more of your thoughts. xxk



    • Kate on August 31, 2016 at 9:13 am

      Thank you, Kristen! And I know you know how much it blows! xox



  4. Barb Buckner Suarez on August 30, 2016 at 11:28 pm

    Sorry for your loss, Kate. Cancer is really hard and it sucks. Glad you took time off to be with family. Happy to see you back here.



    • Kate on August 31, 2016 at 9:14 am

      Thank you, Barb!



  5. Angie on August 31, 2016 at 7:59 am

    Dear Kate – so many of your feelings and experiences this summer ring true for me as well. It does feel good to get back to writing though after long periods of life feeling so big and complex. xo



    • Kate on August 31, 2016 at 9:14 am

      It really does, doesn’t it, Angie? I can’t wait to read those next chapters! xox



  6. Joy on September 1, 2016 at 9:27 am

    Welcome back, Kate! I’m sorry about Brett. How sad for everyone who knew and loved him.
    Taking time off from writing to live your life and process big events is also part of the writing process, as you know. I can’t wait to read what results from your experiences and thoughts this summer!



    • Kate on September 1, 2016 at 9:50 am

      Thank you, Joy! And yes, absolutely! I think we all need those breaks from the page/screen!