per·i·pa·tet·ic
ˌperēpəˈtedik/
adjective
  1. 1.
    traveling from place to place, especially working or based in various places for relatively short periods.
    "the peripatetic nature of military life"
    synonyms:nomadic, itinerant, traveling, wandering, roving, roaming, migrant,migratory, unsettled
    "I could never get used to her peripatetic lifestyle"
  2. 2.
    Aristotelian.
noun
  1. 1.
    a person who travels from place to place.
  2. 2.
    an Aristotelian philosopher.

Friday, January 21, 2011

The Significant Other Blogfest--Walk2Write's SAM

“A writer is a terrible thing to waste.” At least that’s what I keep reminding myself when at 2:00 A.M. I roll over to find an empty bed. I don’t worry because this has happened several times before – the brainstorm of creativity my wife is compelled to pour out of her soul and mind, no matter the time of day or night. And I’m the primary benefactor of all her skill at mixing poetry, prose, history and thoughtful insight into our world’s current state of affairs, and putting all those complexities together in a story that reflects the simple day-to-day living of our lives. I am usually the very first person to read her latest blog posting. This way when the inevitable question is posed by me, “What exactly does this mean?” my enlightened-self delights that I know the answer before almost anyone else, and have figured it out almost all by myself!

Getting back to the first statement about a wasted writer, I must say that to prevent this tragedy, encouragement must be presented consistently and honestly. Can my dear wife-writer get absorbed at the keyboard or go through the bog of writer despair when the flood of ideas are sealed up in the gray clouds of her mind? Of course. These are the times I most try to lift the fog and play “let’s make up funny character names for your first novel.” I can’t reveal any of the character names because one day they will be famous. Also, I like to encourage her by offering up silly parodies of famous stories or limericks (some decent and some not so). One thing is for certain; I am blessed to be married to an awesome writer. Seeing her joy at completing a story and then reading those marvelous letters of the alphabet, strung together better than any pearl necklace ever seen at your local jeweler, encourages me that life is good, and my wife-writer knows how to keep it that way.


This Blogfest encourages us "significant others" to give a glimpse into the character of our spouse, best friend, or person who inspires us the most. Yes to all of the above! My wife, who is also my best friend and inspires me to reach beyond my comfort zone, has the patience of Job, but will not hesitate to speak her mind if I stray from the course set by hands much more capable than ours. She loves to garden, cook great meals, and spend time with her family. She works harder than should be necessary to keep our marriage going strong. She can be a clean freak, but has surrendered a little ground to me through the years (hooray for five pairs of shoes by the front door!).

I don't want to sound too sappy, but I don't know how I would make it in this world without her. She gets annoyed at the "entertainment news" fed to us Americans on the networks and is fed up with politicians' shenanigans, like most everyone else I know. Another major irritant for her is people too full of themselves or those who do not treat everyone with respect. She fights this negative energy surrounding us by studying history, observing the world around her, and putting her thoughts down in print. In a way, writing is her coping mechanism and her way of dealing with a world gone a bit nuts. I have to say that I did not always recognize that her literary journals were in reality a method of making sense of the big picture, and ultimately her way of making our world a better place. But my wife and best friend has this gifted way of opening eyes not quite focused on truth and redirecting sight to a place of light and seeing. This thing called blogging is pretty cool, and a cyber-family can be a real social benefit and community. In conclusion, to all you writers, poets, and philosophers - keep doing what you do because your efforts are never in vain.

Here's a link to the hosting site for this blogfest: Cruising Altitude.

29 comments:

  1. How lucky W2W is to have such a supportive spouse! From reading her posts, I've always sensed that the two of you have a very special relationship, and now I can see why. To respect and encourage the thoughts and needs of your partner is the foundation of a good marriage. I hope, too, that one day her characters will be famous!

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  2. What a fantastic, loving post. How lucky you are to have each other! I love that your hubs encourages you so much!

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  3. So well said--I suspect there might be more than one writer in the family! You are both blessed to have each other!

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  4. This is a lovely testimonial from SAM!

    Thanks Walk2Write for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment :)

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  5. Gorgeous post! It's so heartwarming to hear a husband talk about his wife like you did. Thank you so much for putting that love out into the universe today!

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  6. Very nice post, indeed. Well writen too. So glad I stopped by.

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  7. Wow, what a wonderful post. Isn't it great having a supportive, loving spouse like that?

    Dan - my wife's post.

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  8. Very nice post...glad to know you have a fantastic relationship with your wife. Just stopped by your blog and I liked it, will become a follower. www.secretlilies.blogspot.com

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  9. What a wonderful supportive spouse! Thank you for sharing.

    My significant other

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  10. Somehow I knew that SAM would be a keeper.

    Very touching and heartfelt blogpost about your SIG. Other. (that sounds so clinical.)

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  11. Now that's what I call a heart-felt tribute. Well written and lovingly prepared. You have a winner there W2W!! It's hard not to succeed with support such as that.

    Thank you both for taking part in the fun today!! :)

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  12. What a great post, and I suspect your wife is blushing right now--you've shown her to be an exception person and writer.
    :)
    Nice to meet both of you!

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  13. bauty... are you alone visite that place and write about some marvelous things???

    you are great man, yo need to place adsense or Optimizing your blog..

    Visit Mine

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  14. OMG! You two were a match made in heaven!!!!! All I can say is WOW!

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  16. Thanks everyone for your kind remarks. I'm not used to blogging, but couldn't resist the challenge of talking about W2W (aka Mrs. SAM). I probably confused everyone about the shoes by the door comment. Indeed, I still take my shoes off before walking on the carpet, but at least now I can make a nice and neat pile, instead of placing each pair in its predetermined cubby hole in the closet. I've been a slob all my life, so this "new normal" is real progress for both of us!

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  17. Hi Mr SAM and W2W (Mrs SAM) .. that was fun and so wonderful that you recognise your wife's eclectic way of writing .. I can definitely empathise ..

    Just wonderful to hear you're both enjoying this process .. such fun & lots of laughs too ..

    .. oh well at least you have clean carpets! .. cheers and enjoy the weekend .. Hilary

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  18. What fun and such a nice tribute. I've tried similar but the best that happens is no tribute but my English Teacher Spouse continues to be willing to correct all my egregious spelling and grammatical blunders. I do believe as a class they tend to think Social Studies and History teachers are severly challenged when it come to the English language.

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  19. How nice that he totally *gets* you! Loving this blogfest!

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  20. Dear Walk2Write,
    what a beautiful loveletter, a great gift! And it is true that writing is a way to sort the world out - and blogging gives you the chance to see so many different ways to experience the world. And there is a blogger community, and this form of conversation is a great way to leap over frontiers (from countries, prejudice, age, outer appearance). I love the posts of your wife - so write on, even at 2 o'clock in the morning - though that not too often - sleep till seven :-) Britta

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  21. Aw, I'm so glad that he understand you so well!

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  22. I love how you help by making up funny character names and stuff. Totally awesome and wonderfully sweet addition to the blogfest.

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  23. Hi SAM,

    Delighted to read what you penned down regarding my personal favourite blogger Walk2Write. This actually gave an isight into the life and activities of the person Walk2write, in addition to what I already knew about the writer Walk2write.

    Walk2write,

    Happy to know that you r in the making of a novel. Hope that I could read your book when it gets published.

    Also, about the blog fest, I think if it is a sort of competition, both you will be the best deserved pair.

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  24. This so true.
    It is easy to curb someone's creativity power but it is very difficult to cultivate one.
    So its always better to encourage and give all the support possible to one's spouce and see it bloom.

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  25. What a lovely post and great support system you have. I love the encouragement by thinking up funny names for characters. I loved that in particular.

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  26. So supportive. Well written! Great job! Write on Writer's!

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