From an early age, reading and writing were essential to me. My mom taught me to read when I was four because I loved books. Writing quickly became just as natural. I kept journals, wrote poetry, and found joy in crafting words. But the real magic began when I started college. Professors encouraged my writing, I earned scholarships, and poems and articles were published. That period marked a turning point in my life.

After college, however, life took unexpected turns, and my writing was set aside. It wasn’t until one summer, when an old back injury forced me onto bed rest for weeks, that I rediscovered my passion. With only so much Netflix to watch, I turned to researching my family tree. I uncovered fascinating stories about my ancestors and decided to put it all into writing.

Shortly after, I started a family blog. I wanted a safe place to preserve my stories and memories—and honestly, I knew it would be the best way to keep my writing organized (something I’m not always great at). Since my daughter was homeschooling, I often wove the stories of our ancestors into her lessons. It was exciting to add our ancestors to her history lessons.

Over time, my blog grew beyond what I’d ever imagined. I found myself enjoying writing again. I joined writing challenges and began experimenting with poetry, flash fiction, and short stories. Today, I have over 1,500 subscribers.

Last year, my daughter gifted me a subscription to Storyworth, prompting me to share even more family history and personal stories. Soon, I’ll have a family book filled with these memories—an experience that gave me the push I needed to keep writing.

Alongside blogging, I began working on a novel, though progress has been slow. Frustration crept in, and I found myself hitting pause. During this time of reflection, I decided to pursue another master’s degree. This summer, at the age of sixty-three, this grandmother will return to school to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. It’s a dream I’ve had for years.

Last year, a new language arts teacher joined our school, and we quickly became friends. She shared her excitement about her MFA program in creative writing, and her passion was contagious. Inspired by her enthusiasm, I decided to take the leap and finally pursue my long-held dream.

So, this summer, I will follow my heart’s desire once again and return to the classroom—not just as a teacher, but as a student of creative writing.

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash