Notes From My Past

"Notes From My Past" is a title that lays down the groundwork for a year long series of blogs. Taken from almost 30 years from the pages of my journals. Life gives us experiences to write about. I do not know your life but my life has been about social interactions, social experiences, social events, and gathering with dear family, friends and colleagues on walks, talks and ideas to journal. Daily experiences springing up all over in my writing.  This past year virtual is the extent of our social experiences. Going to the grocery store less, no more walking into the coffee shops, or working remotely at your favorite spots. Even my daily walks, which included friends are limited to just family.  I am going to be honest. Nothing inspires to me write less than experiencing life through the loss of what was my normal. 

We are closing in on almost a year of this social distancing business. For the most part I do believe we all take it seriously. We wear our masks, we only shop for essential needs. We are watching church from our computers and we are shopping mostly online, meetings are through Zoom, and our face-time is the extent of our social experiences. 

I have my people. My people that I talk to more now than ever. My sister, my mom, my kids, and a few friends.  Our conversations are great but we are not talking about the trip we went on, or the events we attended or are looking forward to.   It's interesting year. 

I have wanted to blog heavily on dating. since I am single and about two years in to a dating relationship.  I laugh even at that as we are not dining out, or going on adventures here and there. We did when we first started dating but then Covid hit and I am sure glad I enjoy his company because most days we are together all day and I love being around him.  Last Spring I even shared our "Garage Date" which was my highest viewed story on Instagram of all time.  We basically went into the garage to fix gadgets on bikes. I put on make-up, perfume, and documented it as a "Garage Date".   It was fun.  I have journal entrees on this relationship and with the permission of Gordon I will also share. 

What are we writing about these days? I decided to look in on my past experiences.  I journal. I have about 28 handwritten journals that started when I was 14 years old. One thing I decided to do last Fall was to start in January taking a page from my life and sharing. I use to think that I should put these journals on my computer files but my kids were like, "Nooooo reading from the book is better." Some people talk about their life experiences. They process outward through conversations and stories. I have always (always=dating back to my 14 year old self) written out my thoughts and my process before coming to the conversations. I talk to God. This is my tangible experiences with God. Written conversations, prayer requests, the cries of my heart. Those deep intimate thoughts that come out in quiet times with my Bible, journal and a pen. Favorite pens. 

This year my blogging will be notes from my past. In no random order just as I am reading and processing. I had my sister read one big event that happened in my life. She had tears streaming down her face and said something like, "Why are you not writing a book." I guess my journals are my books. All 28 of them. With the time and space I am starting this project a few years earlier than expected. I thought I would start this project at 65 when I retired. Now with lots of extra time on my hands I am starting this month. 

Every Monday  & Thursday will be a new entrée. I look forward to sharing the, "Notes From My Past"

#notesfrommypast by @elizabethtraub.