Storytellersunplugged

By Janet Berliner

My best student sent me a holiday card and added the words, “Writing is hard.” 

I wrote back, “Who promised easy?”

Then I thought about it. A lot. 

Writing is hard. Being published is almost impossible.  Making a living out of words is about as close as you can get to a fool’s dream.  So, why try?

In 1936, the great Oscar Hammerstein II wrote: “Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly, I gotta love one man till I die.” Somehow I’m sure he won’t roll over in his grave if I paraphrase as follows, “I gotta love those tales till I die,” because either way it’s about love.

And so we write–in closets, in journals, for hire and on spec. Okay you say.  What’s new about that?  What’s new, I think, is that we forget what we could be doing –what most of the world does–working 9 to 5 in a job we detest while praying there won’t be cutbacks.

I’m saying that, in doing what we passionately love, we’ve been given a gift that truly keeps on giving, and too often we forget how damn lucky we are.

Which too-lengthy sentence provides me with a segue for the other thing I want to talk about: The season of gifting.

Realizing, as most of have, that we spend a lot of money at this time of year, not only on presents, but on cards and wrapping, I long ago changed paths. Children and best friends still get gifts from me, but overall I send contributions to Childreach - Plan International, a children’s charity I’ve supported for many years. The money goes directly to the children and the villages in the country of my choice. I have two African foster children whom I’ve supported monthly for fifteen years.  Their letters, photos, and growth have given me far more than I gave them. For $22 a month, I help provide meds and schooling, mosquito nets and toilets. 

At Christmas and other gift-giving times, I send $10 donations for mosquito netting.  $10 protects one family from malaria, the biggest killer along with AIDS. Childreach sends a (pretty) card to the person whose name was put on the donation, and I have a triple winner: I feel good, Childreach can provide more help, the recipient feels good.

My daughter has adopted two glorious Chinese daughters, so I do the same with Half The Sky.  That’s what she wants for birthdays and anniversaries.

Think about it.

I hope you had a happy holiday and that the New Year brings you and yours good health and productivity.