my goal: build community
A short piece about me with the hopes that you’ll reach out and share a little bit about yourself in return. And one person at a time, we’ll build a community of committed people who believe in each other and in the art of writing as an important pathway to relationship.
By birth, I am a member of a family community that includes aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, cousins, second cousins, and third cousins, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews – and in the very near future, I am promised a great-great niece or nephew!
When I married my community expanded to include not simply a husband, but a whole new set of all of the above. Members of my family live all over North America and are descended from every people on this earth. Jay and I added to that community by gifting the world with three lovely daughters and a wondrous son. Two daughters married and expanded my world with sons-in-law and grandchildren, the flower garden of my wisdom years.
ever-expanding circles
Friendship has greatly enriched my community over the years. I have friendships that are over fifty years in duration and some wonderful friendships that just began this year.
Beyond this intimate circle, my community includes present and former neighbors, the colleagues of my years as a university professor, and the present participants of the creative writing workshops which enrich my post-tenure years.
the site evolves
Three years ago, I started posting on the blog, “How Do I Love Thee.” The essays were remembrances of the trials and tribulations, challenges and achievements, joys and craziness that went into the making of my 55-year marriage to John Frances Ward.
Two years ago I started offering readers short stories and relationship guides as well as blog posts. I now feel like the website draws from all my sources of wisdom and experience.
This new website continues that endeavor. I hope to keep alive and well the strong bonds I’ve formed over three-quarters of a century. I also seek to form new friendships through sharing my stories. Being engaged in loving, committed relationships showered me with wisdom. I hope to share that with readers.
brave new year
And with the new school year of 2021-2022, the blog posts become witnesses to my struggles as I attempt to write a memoir. On a lighter note, there will continue to be children’s stories, traveler’s stories, and new relationship guides. Enjoy.
Richard, Bryce, Dave, and Jay