Being entrusted with words is a big responsibility. I was just thinking this today, as I was trying to find the right words to tell the story of an inspiring 99-year-old woman from Rolla, Mo., who has crammed so much into her life that it makes me feel like a lazy Susan... her story is so big, it's hard to wrap my thoughts around, and do it justice.
Being entrusted with telling someone's story... what an awesome, ominous onus. I've been writing for 20 years now, and somehow this part of writing never ceases to make me stumble. Or at least to pause and reflect. Oh, I'll get there eventually... and give it my best shot. But there will always be one final thing I wanted to say, a feeling that I didn't pack the story with all the power I'd hoped to.
I guess all I can do is be as present and open about it, and as honest as possible. Here's to you, Mildred Leaver... I hope I can tell your story with as much inspiration on paper as it exists in reality.
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