Remembering “Stories from the Heart I” – February, 2002

I’d been writing life-stories for about a year in 2002, when Story Circle Network announced its first National Conference: Stories from the Heart in Austin, TX. I, a shy  writer and rare traveler, made plane reservations to fly to Austin-Bergstrom Airport. I knew I needed to go–a strong nudge from the universe, I’m certain–and that my quiet life-style was not going to keep me home as it often did. Some women from my online writing circle 2 would be there–Marie Buckley, the facilitator, Kara Flathouse and Tricia Stevens, with whom I felt connecting threads–and I looked forward to meeting women in person that I knew, until then, only from the internet.

A heady three days well-describes my experience with the attendees, the workshops and leaders, the energy, the Open Mike readings, as well as seeing a little of Texas for the first time. I still recall many moments from that conference from arrival to airport departure. Yet, there is one now-favorite moment that I am reminded of each day when my eyes once again enjoy the beauty of these ceramic pieces in my living room.

As door prizes were awarded during one of our luncheons, we applauded as each woman’s name was drawn and she stepped to the podium to accept a gift-wrapped package. Several gifts were presented and then I was stunned when my name was called. With delight, because I never won gifts, I walked forward to shyly accept my prettily wrapped gift.

Back at my luncheon table, I loosened the tape (yes, I’m one of those slow un-wrappers!), removed the paper and folded it up to probably use again, then opened the box, which was weighty. I peeked into the tissue within and lifted out one of the ceramic pieces in the photo.

Member Rebecca Roberts had crafted those pieces. Each contains seeds that are noted on the back: ginko, maple spinners, and the third has unfortunately fallen away. When I shake one as if it’s a rattle, the seeds within give a pleasant, unique sound, depending on the size of the piece and type of seeds within. I was initially thrilled with the beauty of these pieces and still am, noting them as another of the abundant gifts Story Circle Network brought me in those early years and during each year that followed.

When I arrived home in 2002 and continued to become more committed to writing, I grew to appreciate these beautiful pieces on a much deeper level. These days, when I pick up one of Rebecca’s pieces and shake it, I’m reminded that these beautifully-crafted pieces of nature, clay and seeds, are rich reminders that within myself are also seeds: for many more stories to write as part of my legacy.