The Seed of Life Story Writing

Stories saved me time and again throughout my childhood and the challenges I faced. I then studied English literature at university, which was my way of immersing myself in more and more stories.

I think my fascination with personal stories of real people began as a young woman, on my long distance travels over large distances on buses and trains and in the cabs of lorry drivers.

I didn't have my own car until I was 28 years old but I travelled all over the British Isles, Southern Africa, New Zealand, Peru, Chile, and Spain. Mostly I was by myself and mostly travelling by bus, by bicycle, by train (and aeroplane for the longer distances).

And to remind any younger readers, I didn't have a phone either, of course. Because we didn't have them then.

I remember one poignant story from a trucker in the UK, his wife had lupus, and she was pregnant. I knew nothing about the illness then, in my early twenties and my heart went out to him and his young family as he described the awful symptoms of exhaustion pain, discomfort and the worry about their unborn child. What I remember too, is his helplessness and fear, his brave attempt to understand. He had been given very little information or support. I hope that might be different now, over 20 years on. I felt so deeply grateful for his kindness towards me and his openness that put me at ease. His sharing also made me wonder if my mode of 'free' travel also might serve a purpose for those 'helping' me.

I ended up in many similar situations where people shared their life stories with me. It planted the seed in me for understanding the idea of 'service' and mutual exchange. Without any written agreements or formalities, human nature led us to a mutual exchange. I often felt cared for and passed from one lorry driver to another, with a free cup of tea and a sandwich at a truck stop in between. My service to them....to ask a few questions and listen deeply to their stories.

I feel so privileged to have been witness to some stories which may never have been told to anyone else. The man I mention above had never been to therapy, he had never written his story down and would probably never consider it, but something about sitting next to a complete stranger in his own lorry cab for hours on end gave him permission to tell his story unashamedly and with little prompting.

On another occasion I began to tell a little of my story to a fellow passenger on a 24 hour bus journey from Cusco to Lima. I told her my age (21) and that I was travelling alone. I told her I was from England. She didn't know where it was, but she knew it was very far away. She was a mother of 5 children and she could not bear the thought of me travelling alone with no destination or home to go to. So she invited me to her house to spend the night. I was touched and I accepted.

She showed me into the house; a simple, mud brick structure, with just a couple of chairs, outdoor kitchen, outdoor toilet (hole in the ground), outdoor cold tap. I met her lovely children who were terribly excited to meet a real “gringa”. (a Spanish term for someone with a lighter complexion). We laughed and joked together and ate a simple meal of white rice and potatoes and went to bed.

In the morning I heard chattering nearby. I pulled back the blanket that served as a curtain and heard the family behind another blanket that was hanging a couple of feet in front of me. There she was, with her 5 children together in a double bed. They had slept there, tightly packed, all night, and given me the only other bed they had.

I felt so ashamed for assuming they had a 'spare' bed to offer me. And I felt moved to tears by their hospitality given so willingly and with such good grace.

That was part of their story I was permitted entrance to for a brief moment. I was lucky enough to have many wonderful experiences in my travels around the world. There are many tales to be told another day.

All of these led me to be guided to work with people's own personal stories. Through my studies I have learnt to celebrate my own life journey. We all have fascinating stories. The creative practises of Biographical Counselling and Coaching can help us to find our own true path again when we may have wandered off, they can support us to find our confidence if we have mislaid it after a crisis or change of direction.

I very much look forward to hearing some of your stories and feeling the richness and nourishment that comes from true human connection in today's busy world.

Contact me for a free conversation about what might suit you best: one to one sessions or group work. Either online or in our beautiful Herefordshire woodland.