first steps

Nothing more intimidating than the first step on a journey.  Or exciting.  It has been over twenty-five years since I saw my name as a byline.  A lot has changed, including my name.  But, my love of writing remains.  I have spent most of the last 10 years writing research papers, so the lack of structure is freeing.  I want to get back to writing for joy.  I have started writing poetry, short stories and essays.  I want to write about everything.  I want to write about the happiness and failures that come with raising a child who is not neurotypical.  I want to write about my career as a nurse.  I want to write about catching lightning bugs on warm July nights, and sledding down hills on cold January days.  I want to write about nine days of hell in the NICU with my oldest son, and his journey home late that Christmas Eve.  I want to write about starting a new career at the age of thirty-nine and having my last child at forty-two.  I want to write about getting lost in the pages of a great book.  I want to write about hearing a song, that instantly transports you back to a long forgotten place and time.  I want to write.