Unfinished Drafts
The past two months have been hard for reasons I don’t feel like divulging. But I got a bit of perspective yesterday when I learned that one of my writing students passed away.
His name was David, and he was an older man who was trying to write for the first time. He was funny and energetic and always had great stories to share with our group. He didn’t have lofty aspirations of being a famous writer - the only thing he wanted to do was write a book for his grandchildren. He loved his grandchildren very much, talked about them constantly. He wanted to write a book where they were the heroes.
He wasn’t in class last week which was odd because he never misses a class. He didn’t email me to let me know he wouldn’t make it, either. The week before that he shared the latest draft of his story and it was a huge improvement over earlier drafts. He just linked up with an artist who was ready and willing to provide spot-illustrations for his story. He seemed so alive. His energy was infectious.
I made a joke about David not being in class. I said that he probably sold his book and is a millionaire now and doesn’t need us anymore. We all laughed. The truth is, he passed away after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He never got to finish his book.
There are a million lessons I can take from this. To stop putting off to tomorrow what I can finish today. To stop sweating the small stuff and even the big stuff and to appreciate what I have, instead. The importance of family. The importance of leaving something behind. I’m processing all of this and trying to make sense of it, but it’s slow in coming.
I wrote his wife and asked for her permission to finish his book. I told her I’d take care of any costs and make sure that at least two copies get printed for his grandchildren, so that he can leave it behind for them. I’m hoping she agrees. Someone needs to finish his story - he worked so hard on it with nothing but good intentions.
Everyone - hug the person you love today. Finish your work. Enjoy your lives. And when the pain is too much, write about it.
