Memoir Monday - Talent

Describe a special talent you have used to your advantage.

I suppose that the only talent I have used to my advantage is writing.  I never knew how to write.  When I was young, I did not get good grades in English.  I did however, read like a crazy person.  I was reading at college level by the time I was in 7^th Grade.   I wrote for the school newspaper in 7^th grade, but did not do it for High School.  I also wrote poems about things that I felt strongly about.  Funny thing, I found out after my mother died that she even saved some of them.  I never felt like they were very good, but it was nice to know that she thought so. 

When I finally got to go to college, I did not know the first thing about writing formats or how to put together a paper.  I did not know what MLA was or APA.  I did not even know there was a difference.  Imagine my shock when I had certain teachers that wanted it one way, and others who wanted it a different way.  I had a lot to learn.  I took classes in writing.  I learned how to format papers and how to research.  I learned how to write and what to write.  When it came time to work on my Master’s Degree, I even had to write a 5 page paper every single week, along with a 10 to 15 page group paper.  I learned to write. 

Once I had an MBA, then I was able to put that to use and write in my job.  I wrote reports, I did investigations.  I learned how to put the: who, what, where, when, why and how, into everything. 

I learned that I actually like writing.  I like doing investigative reports.  I like interviewing others, I like hiring, I like writing grievances and arguments. 

But the best thing I write is not for work.  I like writing on my blog.  I like finding the positive in my very ordinary life.  I love to share the Love of my Heavenly Father with others.  I know that not everyone believes the way that I do, but I really want to share the personal love of our Heavenly Father.  I hope through writing, that I can help others to see and feel and know some of the things that are most important to me. 

Writing has been an advantage in my work, in church, and even in my family.  I write because it frees my heart from struggle.  Writing gives me wings of words to carry me on and to send a little hope to others.  Writing lets me work through my hurt and through my lack of understanding.  It is a way for me to express how I am feeling and even why I am feeling that way.  Some of my writing is dark, but most of it looks for the sunshine behind the clouds.

Someday, I dream of writing a book.  Interestingly, as much as I love fiction, that is not what I want to write.  I want to write something that reminds others that they are better than the think, that they have more than they could ever imagine, that they are loved more than they can possibly believe.  I want to write something that leaves people with the knowledge of who they are and whose they are. I want to write something that makes a difference in the lives of my own posterity.   

Words on a Page

by Patricia A Pitterle

Words on a page, flowing forth 

Good and bad, all in a row.

Each sentence now becoming clear  

With words that make them flow.

Sometimes, life throws obstacles

Like rocks, along the way.

The words I write will help me know

The darkness isn't where I'll stay.

I keep searching for the positive,
Hidden here along the trail.
He suffered too, I'm not alone

and His love never fails.

He won’t stop protecting me,
He won’t forget I’m here.
He knows all about me.
He knows I need Him near.

And so I keep on writing
Words of truth to help me see.
His love burns within my heart
His hands reach out to me.

I have seen His miracles,

And I have felt His grace,

He holds me tight within His arms

Safe in His embrace. 

Now it is your turn.  What talent to you have in your own life?  Don't forget to link back up and share.