Life in the Slow Lane

Contemplating life, faith, words, and memories

Tag: series

A Timeline Story: Behind-the-Scenes in Writing My Memoir — June 30, 2015

A Timeline Story: Behind-the-Scenes in Writing My Memoir

/Sherrey Meyer/12 Comments
By Francodavi (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Francodavi (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Beginning next week, I start a series of posts about my timeline story, or better yet the timeline of my writing life. My purpose is to share with you where my love of words and writing is rooted and how that love prompted me to write my memoir.
I must give credit to Joel Friedlander for this idea. Joel’s own timeline series fascinated me, in part because of his background in typesetting, lithography, publishing, and related fields. You can find Joel’s series here.

The number of posts I will share is still unknown as I’ve not yet finished my timeline story. Yet I promise not to drag it out or carry on too long. No doubt the image above holds more Post-its than my writing life has interesting facts.

And it may not be as fascinating to you as it is to me. I believe my timeline story holds enough interesting background to my writing life and the lessons I’ve learned you may find something helpful in your own writing life.

These posts will be archived on their own page, A Timeline Story, at the Blog tab above. This archive will remain accessible ad infinitum.

The invitation to join me on this exploration of why I write, when I started writing, the impetus behind my book, and even a look at my writing community online is open to all takers.

Looking forward to your company in the coming weeks, perhaps months. Who knows?

A Day in the Life | Retirement 2006 (Episode #3) — April 17, 2015

A Day in the Life | Retirement 2006 (Episode #3)

/Sherrey Meyer/7 Comments

Continuing with creative nonfiction shorts in my series, A Day in the Life.

Retirement 2006

Recent events involving the family of my former managing attorney brought back many memories of my almost 15 years spent working with him and watching his family grow. At the same time, I was treated to casual reminiscences with other attorneys and their wives I came to know while working at the firm.

Prior to retirement, I was given sage advice by a brother-in-law. He cautioned, “When you retire, walk away not expecting friendships to continue. Some may. Some will. Many won’t. Don’t be surprised. After all, the friendships made on the job have an essential focal point–the workplace. Other friendships in your life have varying focal points. Don’t be disappointed by this turn of events. Go make new friends or get reacquainted with old ones.”

My brother-in-law was right to a point. The attorney and his family with whom I grew close during the workdays over 15 years have made it possible to stay closer than I expected. We’ve been included in recitals, concerts, weddings, memorial services, and more. A bonus was getting to know this attorney’s parents with whom we became close friends.

Steve (best managing partner ever) and me on party day. Image in background was my first day on the job.
Steve (best managing partner ever) and me on party day. Image in background was my first day on the job.

On the day I retired, February 6, 2006, the firm hosted a party in my honor with gifts, a trip down memory lane, some hugs, and some tears. I left thinking on my brother-in-law’s wisdom and advice.

I never expected to experience such family like feelings with my managing attorney and his family by the time 2015 rolled around.

A kinship exists going beyond explanation. Truly it has been a joy to have been “adopted” by their family.

Have you experienced this kind of extended relationship beyond a structured environment, whether at work, during college, or elsewhere? If you have, share your story with us, won’t you?

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