The testimony series that I've started today tells a story that I have been wanting to share for a long time. The "Running Home" series has been the biggest blessing that I never expected to receive. The whole writing journey is a road I never saw myself traveling on. When I was nineteen, the Lord began to tug on my heart. He wanted me to write something for Him, but I had no idea what it could be. I thought of crafting a memoir about life with a disability. The idea of fiction never entered my thoughts.
Oh, what plans the Lord has for us! The concept for the blog was born a few years later at my aunt's wedding reception. I was battling with a heart that felt unfulfilled and without purpose. You have to have a reason for being. I had prayed fervently for weeks and had rededicated my life to Christ when this opportunity arose. I have loved blogging for the past five years. I have loved serving my Savior through my words. It really is great therapy at times.
In the spring of 2016, I came across this woman named Cookie. My mother had mixed paint for her on several occasions and they were friends on Facebook. I don't remember who became friends with who, but we friended each other as well, and she had been enjoying my blog posts. Cookie called my mother one day at work and told her that she had a story she wanted me to have; she also asked if we could possibly meet. This was out of the blue, and I was nervous but wonderfully excited. In hindsight, I've always wondered why I didn't take my notebook with me on that day; it didn't matter though, because this is one story you don't easily forget.
We met on a Wednesday afternoon and it was the sweetest time. I listened to the story and loved it right away. She handed me a book that she had written in. The book was called "The Storyteller" by Jodi Picoult. The very back contained a message she had for me: "To the greatest story teller ever! I love you!"
I still have that book in my possession today. After I went home, I sat and pondered over the afternoon, and for the longest time, I questioned whether I was meant to write something like that. The main backdrop for the series is based on her ex mother in law Melda Cecil. When I met Cookie, I was not a fiction writer. I was keen on 'life with a disability' posts, a few faith based blog posts, and general life material. I had purchased a fiction writing book three years prior on a whim. I had told my boyfriend at the time that I casually thought about becoming a writer. I never knew if I would use it. Isn't it funny how life can be like a game of connect the dots?
I spent the next few years continuing to do my faith based blogging, traveling across the country as part of a disability advocacy group. I grew weary of it, but it was one of those once in a lifetime opportunities that I am so thankful for. I shelved the story for a long time, and my Mom probably thought I would never get to work on it.
The disability advocacy experience was the perfect way to prepare my heart for this task. I was so into my body and cerebral palsy had wrongfully become my identity. I needed to have that mindset stripped away, and having cerebral palsy run into the ground was a great way to push me towards embarking on the fictional journey. I was sick of it and wanted to do something as a creator that had nothing to do with my body or its functions; without mention of limitations.
I had applied to Coffee House Writers before, but for some reason I was not accepted until March of 2019. I don't remember if I didn't send in my stuff or what happened to delay it, but I gave them another try and lo and behold, I was welcomed onto the team. I wrote my first story "The Unknown" and published it on Medium as one of my first submissions. "Overflowing Heart" was one of my favorite practice stories to complete.
My heart and soul were ready.
I still go back and forth on whether I want to have this project be a book, or remain as the series of short story installments. That was one of the major thoughts that kept me from working on the stories at all in the beginning. I felt that writing a whole book would be quite an undertaking, and I wasn't sure of the format I wanted. It took me a long time to save up the courage to just go for it. I have loved every minute of working as a storyteller.
Let's start with the name: Running Home was a title that came to me late one night without a thought. I felt that it was a perfect way to represent that my body is not going with me to Heaven, but that my soul will be running home to rest there eternally. I physically cannot run. "Running Home" is also a saying you hear quite a bit in West Virginia as someone's way of saying they are headed home after a long day. The title also refers to a Bible verse that I will include at the bottom of this post. I meant to put it after the end of the first story when it was published and forgot. It is a faith based series that I am having so much fun creating.
The inspiration behind the series is a collective mix of Melda's life and that of myself. As I heard the story, I was missing parts of who she was. Her years as a child and a teenager, and the dynamic with her family and husband as the years went by. Those missing parts were filled in with happenings from my family. You will see a lot of family names in the series. Lemaster, her last name is a family name originating from my mother's side. Georgia, Anna (Della's daughter), Everett, each of those names can be found in my family.
In writing some of the more tragic scenes, I have always wanted to end them on a family oriented note. I wanted to write stories that represent family unity and the love of Christ. I wanted to show the power of His presence in their lives. Life has curveballs. That's realistic. I have always felt that a story should help its reader take away an applicable life lesson. I saw this book on Amazon that is a collection of short stories with accompanying devotionals. I would love to put together something like that one day; a goal I will work to achieve.
Coffee House Writers has been a great place to work on the series a little bit at a time. The first story is only an introduction. You meet thirteen year old Melda Harris, after the opening which first introduces us to her son Gordon, who is awaiting the start of her funeral. The story opens in 1974, and takes you back to the year 1931, showing the family's Great Depression era struggle on a poor farm in rural West Virginia.
You also get to meet her parents: John and Sylvia Harris, along with all of her siblings: Georgia, Della, twins Clara and James, Grace, Will, and Jack. The remainder of the series is somewhat treacherous, so I wanted to start it off with a light hearted conflict such as James and Jack breaking the tomato plant. (A story loosely based on an experience my mother had with her cousin Cynthia, only it was a tree, and had a similar yet more comical ending).
I hope that everyone has enjoyed my series so far. I still have seven more stories until I am finished with Running Home. I plan on publishing more commentary in the future as well. My entire hope for these stories is to encourage people to keep running the race that God has set before them. Don't quit on God for nothing. Learn to enjoy the blessings He gives you, despite what hardships life may throw your way. He will be your strength every step of the way.
I found the below verse to be incredibly fitting for the concept of the series as it conveys the message of my stories in the most perfect way. God continues to be so good to me, allowing me to have this wonderfully blessed life that I do not deserve. No matter what, I will continue to run my race and I will finish my course well.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth their is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, shall give me at that day :and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing". (2 Timothy 4:7-8 King James Version)