A writer’s preference

A pen and paper person who prefers to write rather than type journal entries on a device, I’ve filled a bookshelf with notebooks of various sizes.

As nothing thrills me more than fresh, empty pages to fill, many of my journals are gifts from loving friends and family.

I owe this devotion to preserving personal and family history to my most amazing Appalachian ancestors who quickened my interest in writing when telling their stories.

As they did not write their history, I appointed myself to the mission.

The discipline sparked the beginning of a memoir cook book, now 600 pages including recipes.

I’ll return to my memoir come fall when I stow away my gardening tools.

Another strong influence that encouraged me to journal daily was the story of Anne Frank. As she did millions of teenagers of my era, Anne introduced me to the dark details of the Jewish Holocaust.

Thus, I began reading memoirs which developed over years to owning a copy of A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis. Reflections of the loss of his wife, this little book maintains its place amongst the titles on my dresser for bedtime reading.

Recently, straying from literature, the portrait of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence snagged my interest this past July.

Several years ago, my late husband and I toured Washington D.C. during our “I love America” tour.

Two amongst millions who view annually the document inscribed “When in the course of human events,” we stood in the National Archives Building in Washington D.C.

There, in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, we viewed the original parchment copy devoted to founding our country’s independence from Great Britain, signed July 4, 1776.

From farmer to scientist, each signature declares their common vision for a durable government named The United States of America.

Again, I consider the Founder’s differences, yet unified vision, their goal to “create a more perfect union.”

I trust and honor that remarkable time in American history. I “hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that amongst these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Dear Reader, although dyslexia confuses the cooperation of my right and left hand when I type, I’ve learned to use my keyboard’s cursor.

Thankfully, “in the course of human events,” a brilliant person created this key for persons like me.

Perhaps a descendant of our brilliant and benevolent Benjamin Franklin? For our pursuit of happiness when we type.

Contact Iris at irisfarmletters@gmail.com