Your Words Miss You
You’ve filled up notebooks, created Google folders, Word docs, and little stickies. Now is the time to revisit them. You have, undoubtedly, said wonderful things. Profound things, silly things, inspirational things. Now is the time to put a few together. It’s fun and good for you.
Revisiting things you've written can be a valuable practice for several reasons:
Gain a fresh perspective: Looking at your writing with fresh eyes after some time has passed can help you identify why you wrote it in the first place.
Enhance creativity: Revisiting your old work can spark new ideas and help you come up with innovative solutions to problems.
Document progress: Regularly reviewing your writing can help you track your progress and see how your writing skills have evolved over time.
Improve your writing skills: Regularly revisiting your writing can help you refine your writing skills and become a more effective storyteller.
To grow as a writer, make time daily to read and write. Set realistic goals and establish a writing ritual. Seek inspiration everywhere and don't worry about editing while writing. Remember that your words deserve to be heard, so work on raising your profile as a writer and dedicate yourself to the craft.
In case you missed how Betty got into this mess:
Betty's Canine Therapy Venture
Liz Dubelman
Flat-broke Betty, a disheveled yet still sprightly 60-year-old, had realized the need to reinvent herself. With no job prospects and a dwindling bank account, she had to utilize her years of experience and natural talents to make ends meet. She made a list of potential income-producing jobs, at the top of which was: Become a Professional Dog Walker.
She decided to focus on senior dogs and their owners. After all, she figured, there must be many seniors in her community who could use some help with their beloved pets. And who better to understand the needs of an aging dog than an aging human?
Her first package was called "Therapy Sessions with Owners." She advertised this as a unique experience for both the dog and its owner. Some owners may enjoy joining their pets for therapeutic walks or activities, and with Betty's expertise, she could create a dual wellness experience that would set her apart from other dog walkers.
She drafted up a flier and began distributing them around town. She felt a glimmer of excitement and hope as she waited for her phone to ring. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of a successful and fulfilling second act for her.
As days turned into weeks, her initial excitement began to wane, but Betty remained steadfast. She frequented local parks, striking up conversations with dog owners. Finally, she found her first client: Mrs. Jenkins, an elderly lady with a lethargic golden retriever named Max. Their first session was a revelation—the joy on Mrs. Jenkins' face as she watched Betty help coax Max into a lively trot filled her with a sense of purpose. Unfortunately, Mrs. Jenkins was living on a fixed income and couldn’t afford her service, but word spread, and soon she got a call from Mrs. Anderson down the street. Betty was in business.
They made an appointment for the next day. “Wonderful!” Mrs. Anderson exclaimed. “My Charlie has been a bit down lately, ever since his favorite spot in the park changed. I think he could really benefit from someone like you.”
“Ah, how absolutely delightful!” Betty exclaimed, scribbling down notes in her neon pink notepad. “I will definitely customize our sessions to fit his particular interests. So, what gets his tail wagging?”
“Oh, he's simply obsessed with music. He used to weave the most fantastical tales,” Mrs. Anderson gushed.
Betty couldn't believe her ears. Did the dog actually speak to her? She couldn't resist digging deeper into this bizarre situation. Mrs. Anderson's nostalgic tone only added fuel to the fire of Betty's curiosity. She took a deep breath, trying to process it all. Could a dog truly talk? The thought seemed far-fetched, but Mrs. Anderson's sincere belief in it made Betty question everything.
“Just to be clear, my services as a dog walker and companion is $400 per week.”
“That's nice, dear.”
The next day, Betty arrived at Mrs. Anderson's house for their first appointment. The place was like a museum of dust. And there sat Charlie, an ancient canine with patches of gray fur, in better shape than his eccentric owner, who had both the radio and TV blaring at full volume. It was no wonder Mrs. Anderson thought her dog could talk.
Betty suggested they all go for a walk, but Mrs. Anderson remained fixated on petting Charlie and staring at the radio. So, Betty took charge, gathered their coats and leash, and led them out the door.
As they meandered for what felt like hours (but was only ten minutes), Betty grew increasingly frustrated with trying to connect with these odd clients. Finally, she returned them home to the symphony of overlapping television and radio chatter. "I can come back every day if you'd like," Betty offered hopefully but received no response from Mrs. Anderson. It was like she was waiting for her dog to respond.
Betty reminded Mrs. Anderson that they had agreed on the phone that she would pay Betty $400 a week for her services at the beginning of each week. Mrs. Anderson invited Betty for dinner. “Thank you, but if you just pay me I’ll be out of your hair.” Mrs.Anderson got up and opened the door.
“Thank you, dear. That was lovely. Stop by anytime. You’re the only one that visits anymore.”
Betty's excitement quickly turned to disappointment as she realized that Mrs. Anderson had no intention of paying her. It was becoming increasingly apparent that her business plan may not have been well thought out.
She went home and poured herself a big glass of boxed wine. She pulled out her list and made notes for her next gig:
Become a Professional House Sitter for Rich Vacationers.
Excellent! I really enjoyed this story
Great short story!!