“Do remember a time when you were lost?”
That was a storytelling prompt that stood out for me. It triggered a memory. Of Brooklyn summer vacations at my Grandparent’s house. Of being three - four years old. Taking a trip to Coney Island. A big white beach umbrella with red roses that saved me from being forever lost.
But, what is this story really about? How do I approach its crafting? Was it about my Grandparent’s warnings not to wander? Stay close to the umbrella that shaded our beach site or “you’ll be lost forever!” Was it about my uncontrolled curiosity and rambunctious nature illustrated as I rode the subway to Coney Island and ran down the seedy boardwalk in delight? Or was it about my need to be as close as I could to the ocean waves?
Surely it is a combination of all these things, but that would be an epic tale. I want to chisel down and craft the story from one of theses points of view, all of which revolve around that white umbrella covered in red roses. I thought about this in the days after the class prompt. I recognized many points in my journey that correlated with these different points of view. The story was beginning to find its needed viewpoint.
I went to the closet in my garage. I brought out the yellow plastic cased item. It was old and I was careful as I pulled it from its yellow case. A 68 year old white beach umbrella covered with red roses. In perfect shape except for some aging at it’s edges. It was delicate but strong. Vibrant. Beautiful. As I gazed at it I realized that maybe this story is about something else.
I will let this story percolate a bit as I look deeper within myself. A new realization. A new point of view that will guide this story to its telling completion.
Elizabeth, I look forward to hearing the story.
Posted by: Dee Dee | 10/17/2023 at 01:03 PM