Write It Out: Instruction Video
“After my kokum died, I spent a lot of time alone. It was Tias who got me through the whole ordeal. He came over every day and talked with me. If I was in bed he’d sit on top of the sheets beside me. Hell, he even sat beside me while I wallowed in the tub. And I don’t even remember what it was we talked about, except that sometimes he’d tell me stories of his foster dad as if he were some benevolent white christ figure. But the way he told stories was so sincere that I couldn’t help but become enamoured. That was when I learned just how much power there is in stories — they can transform an alcoholic, child-beating sonuva into a saintly man who loves and gives annually to Unicef. I don’t know what it was that Tias loved about that man, but he loved him nonetheless. I had to respect him for that.”
***
I used to think I had to prove myself to others – prove that I was worthy of their friendship, of their love. Then once I noticed that I didn’t expect that behaviour from others, I questioned why was I expecting it of myself? I realized then that it was “all about me”. I needed to prove myself worthy to myself. A real lightbulb moment there.
The story prompt I selected (above) speaks to a subject I love – the power of stories – and there is nothing greater than that. As difficult as it was at times for me to read, the messages I received while reading this book were poignant and simply beautiful.
Thoughts? Feel free to share them here.
