Snapshots--A Collection of Memoirs

Today marks a milestone and a huge leap of faith for me.  I entered a memoir discovery contest with She Writes Press.  Although the entry fee was $25, I decided that now was a good time to submit my compilation of memoirs for a possible win in the contest for a publishing deal.  Even if I don't win, I'll receive some quality feedback from the folks at She Writes Press.  Here's the introduction to the book.  What do you think?

SNAPSHOTS—A Collection of Memoirs

By Sara Etgen-Baker

Memory is the mother of all wisdom.  –Aeschylus (Prometheus Bound)

Memories, like boxes of unsorted snapshots, piled up year after year and demanded my attention.  I ignored them, hoping they would somehow make sense or merely go away.  As the memories became dusty and worn, like the boxes of snapshots in my attic, I knew that I could no longer ignore them.  While some memories disappeared in the sea foam of the past, other memories were hard to follow, for my memory was built on things not noticed at the time.  Instinctively, though, I knew that the richness of my life—anyone’s life—lies in sorting through those memories, even the forgotten ones.  

Uncovering and delving into memories was enlightening.  I soon discovered that memories—both positive and negative—are laced with emotion and with profound moments of learning, truth, wisdom, and heroism.  In fact, many of those moments embedded themselves in my mind and became an important part of understanding how I formed my life story—the story I eventually lived and told myself and others about—including where I came from, who I became, and where I am going. 

While I liked reliving these memories, writing my memoirs exposed the magic, the beauty, and the deep meaning of seemingly ordinary moments in time whether the moment was a powerful one, an in between one, or just a simple, still one.  Writing my memoirs became an inner journey that allowed me to pause and look at the person who was with new eyes; to grapple with my flaws and misgivings, overcome them; and discover my own heroic virtues.   The act of writing my memoirs transformed me and ultimately made me feel more alive and connected to this thing that was fleeting.  Now I’m truly grateful for the journey, for in the end I was made richer and wiser.   

I share these memoirs—my snapshots—with you in the hopes that they will inspire you to explore your own life story, discover your own heroic nature, and gain knowledge and wisdom along the way.  

SNAPSHOTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ………………………………………………………………………. Page 1

The Antique Hourglass...………………………………………………………….   Page 3

The Magical FerrisWheel…………….……………………………………………   Page 6

The Day the Music Died………………………………………………………….    Page 10

Escaping the Summer Heat……………………………………………………….    Page 13

Summer’s Defining Moment……………………………………………………..    Page 16

Turning Pointe……………………………………………………………………    Page 17

Another Toy Story………………………………………………………………..    Page 19

Ties to the Past……………………………………………………………………    Page 22

Journey on Valentine’s Day………………………………………………………    Page 24

Don’t Bother with the Recipe…………………………………………………….   Page 27

Witnessing Grace………………………………………………………………….   Page 31

My Grandmother’s Pearls………………………………………………………….  Page 33

Free Falling………………………………………………………………………… Page 39

Runt of the Litter…………………………………………………………………..  Page 40

Flying Sand and Swirling Dust……………………………………………………  Page 45

An Invisible Breeze……………………………………………………………….   Page 49