Women should write their stories while they still can

Mental Matters
By Dr. Jennifer Goble

Write YOUR Stories – While you can. This is information continued from my Jan. 6 column.

I have no agenda for the stories women post on my website, and I don’t even know if women want to write and share their stories on the internet.

I proceed with the project knowing the mental health value of writing one’s stories, wanting to continue offering support to women I admire and care about, and the hope of, “If you build it, they will come.” If it worked for Kevin Costner’s character in “Field of Dreams,” it could work for us.

As a rural woman myself, I understand small town and county living; value of family, limited services, heart connect with women friends, love of the land, and isolation.

Teaching, supporting, and counseling women has always been my calling and passion. The idea to create a website where I could continue to help rural women, even though I am semi-retired, was like flipping a light switch.

I am excited to read stories women submit. I also look forward to questions about life; partners, raising kids, aging parents, dual family operations, in-laws, grandchildren, business, family dynamics, etc., in Ask Dr. J.

I ask for each story to be 400 + words. Each of us could write hundreds of 400 word stories about our life as a rural woman. I know they would all be rich with colorful characters and challenging situations, such as one I remember…

My mother-in-law and I had the title of “GATE” while sorting cattle.
“Don’t let that black one out! #$%^&**&^%$,” she bellowed from atop the big white horse…

There are examples on the site for you to explore. Don’t worry about grammar, just write. I

will do simple edits before posting. Attach a photo enhancing your story, if you have one. If not, I will use one of mine. Submit as many as you write.

If you can’t or don’t want to physically write your stories, E-mail me, [email protected], I will call, interview you, write and post your story for you.

Share our story site with friends on social media.

Start a story club and share your stories with each other. Encourage your kids and parents to write their stories.

Teachers, ask your students. Put all of your stories in a binder, and you will soon have your memoire; your memories.

Your life matters – write YOUR stories – while you can.

Check it out: www.ruralwomenstories.com.

Until the next time: Live while you live!

(Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of My Clients…My Teachers, and the blogger and encourager of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.)

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