My heart is still soaring from the delights of the AllWrite13 Conference. I always look forward to hearing the speakers and being nudged to continue teaching the child, not just the curriculum. I learned about the excitement of poetry, working with words, and conferring enlightens our understanding.
Tammy and I had our books ready for our presentation. I was excited, my heart fluttering. Finding books to share is never our difficulty; it’s reducing the number of books to share that is so difficult. As the audience began filing in to the room, I did an excited jump inside seeing Nanc sitting there. Her smile is the best! Ruth and Christy came in, encouraging us the entire time. My parents came too. What a treat! Then Linda slipped in too. The night before, we gave a preview to Elsie and Jenn.
(For those interested, Summer Institute.2013 is the power point of the books we shared at our session.)
Although the learning was great, the time spent with the ladies was the most uplifting. This conference was about personal growth. When I share with my friends and coworkers about the Slice of Life community, encouragement and positiveness are the two words I share. As a writer, I have grown through the specific, uplifting comments. I read other slices and think, Wow, I like how she did that. I’m going to try. One notebook is filled with golden lines I’ve gathered from others. We mentor each other and grow.
I remember three years ago reading Bonnie’s slices and thinking, This woman knows how to write. I’m out of my league. But I learned that we are all writers growing, learning, stretching, sharing, comforting, uplifting, … we are writing together. Through slices and stories, our lives are being changed. My life was touched for the better and the memory of AllWrite13 holds a smile in my heart.
Now the nudge of writing has been given. Motivation has increased. I know I will encourage the ladies I have met and will smile seeing them around the table of my heart.
Hugs, Mary Helen
Book Savors 
Hugs, indeed! Your point about personal growth is spot on. I feel more ME after All-Write. So good to see you in person and to be welcomed by you once again!
Smile in my heart is the perfect phrase for how I felt. You made this conference the joy it was. I miss hanging out with you already.
Mary Helen, your words mean a lot to me, as did the constant welcome you gave us every single moment we were together. I love being at “the table of your heart”. Beautiful metaphor! Thanks again for all you did for us (me)! It was an extraordinary time!
You have said it all perfectly. I especially love your second to last paragraph because I think that holds true for so many of us!
Bravo to you for presenting — and special bonus for sharing!! I took a quick peek at your PP — so many great titles I need to check out. Thanks!
There is so much to feast on as I read all the participants of All Write share today! It encourages me so the learning is amplified and the joy spreads. Thank you for this addition!
Mary Helen,
You were one of the many bright spots of the conference for me. Thank you for being so welcoming and encouraging. I’m so glad we met. I can’t wait to use some of the books you shared.
Love,
Jen
I’ve been reading so much about All Write… trying not to be jealous. Everyone is sharing such great insights, though, even those of us who couldn’t go are benefitting from it!
I like what you said about feeling “out of your league” but learning we are all writers growing and writing together. I feel like that, too.
Your son was so proud of his work at the fields that he clicked to his photos on his phone for me to see. That’s pride! I think I did snooze out on him for a moment but if I was snoring, he didn’t say anything when I came to.
It’s hard for me to believe that you thought I was out of your league. I usually feel totally intimidated when I write my post( like it then) but then start reading everyone else’s and ugh, I am ready to scrap mine 🙂
So good we are now face-to-face buds. I’m remembering your quiet calls to Wes on our party night 🙂
So glad we got to meet in person (and that you gave me your handout). There are some titles there that I’ll have to request and read – I love adding some light reading to my middle school stacks! The memory of All Write holds a smile in my heart too. And I’ll look forward to pulling up my chair to that table of your heart when I slice each week.