In March, 2011, Holly Dodd (19) attended a six-hour workshop called Women and Creativity, on movement, emotion, memory and storytelling. She came back with a piece of writing. I have scanned the beginning and transcribed the rest.
 I am sitting comfortably with a convenient, safe place to rest my face. Safe. On my father's lap. I can feel the heat from a fire. I can hear voices—I can recognize many of them. I hear singing. I feel singing. The vibrations of my dad's baritone voice through his wool clothing. His breath. Also the feeling of my face held against his medium-length beard, and half on the wool he wears. Sounds and odor of the campfire. The same as any before and many since. My mother's nearby laugh. Relating sparks from our fire to stars in the night sky. Being old enough to get jokes cracked between songs. Knowing it is not only ok, but expected of me, to fall asleep. Right here where I already am. My dad will tuck me in when he is done holding me, and it will hardly be my business. |
One of the workshop coordinators was Ramona King, a homeschooling mom and storyteller who has known Holly for nine years. The story wasn't written in Ramona's section of the workshops, but Holly's story was about how and why she chose the story she had written. To me, Ramona wrote:
The women at the workshop adored Holly. Her story...description of lying on her father and listening to her mothers laugh was so soft and gentle to the heart. We all dreamed with her.To Holly (who gave me permission to share it):
Just so you know... You are an incredible light and joy. The women at the meeting spoke so highly of you. Holly, I can't help it. When you show up you're like a rock star. You're powerfully your own person and I want to introduce you to everyone. Sometimes I may slip and make constant references to childhood years. I don't mean to. It's really about me coming to terms with getting older and watching life change. It's all so very fascinating to see we don't remain the same. In the future, I promise to check in with you to see if you're okay with me taking on the tab. It's important to me that you feel respected in my relationship with you.Your example for story sharing was perfect. Our goal for this workshop was to get people to tell stories that shared heart and soul. Everyone got how much you adore your father. I felt love when you spoke about Keith...everyone else in the room did too. Your example and choice for sharing set the tone for the three women who shared when you left. Again, thank you so much for participating in this workshop. You were such an asset to its success.
Love,
Ramona