Fran at frequent writing haunt, Café 29 in Jimboomba, QLD
Frances Humphreys
Fran always had a lovely turn of phrase, developed in part as a result of her English upbringing. Never particularly confident about her academic achievements and writing ability, Fran never turned her hand to writing other than the odd letter or email or two. Fran considers herself a doer which she admits, together with her impatience, meant she did not have the time to sit in the calm of reflective story writing thought.
That was until this story writing journey began. It was then that she realised her unique turn of phrase and expression of sentiment was appreciated by many a reader, and in particular by her daughter.
Fran loved the story writing sessions because it transported her out of the challenges of the everyday and involved laughter and humour. She is grateful to Lesley for pushing her through her self-doubt, procrastination and lack of discipline when it came to writing. As a result, she has achieved a lifetime ambition to write.
Lesley Humphreys
Like Fran, Lesley was very timid and unsure of herself at school. As a consequence, she found it very difficult to express herself in other but the out-of-doors where she felt at home among the then ‘wilds’ of outer suburban Melbourne.
The requirements of academic tertiary education gave little opportunity for any creative expression as did a career that followed in the government sector.
The start of the ‘memory writing’ journey with Frances provided the necessary impetus to put aside the need for perfection and instead focus on the purpose of the journey… to give thanks for the learnings that come from travelling a life with someone.
The no expectations and relaxed nature of the story writing journey with Fran gave Lesley a renewed appreciation of reflective writing. Lesley is grateful for the heartfelt exchanges that occurred through glistening eyes, the loving hold of the glance, and the acknowledging smile that took place between herself and Fran after the telling and receiving of many a story.
Lesley with canine friend Nina at Blackburn Lake, Melbourne
Celebrating Fran’s 85th birthday shipboard in the Mediterranean
The Two of Us
It took 54 of my years and 81 of my mother’s years for us to start to do what we both enjoy but have done very little of… reflective and creative writing. For mum it was very much about… “I can’t write well enough to write a book!”… and given we have similar DNA no surprise that my reason was not a whole lot different.
Not only were we not up to it, or so we thought, we were both grand masters of distraction and procrastination, and would find many a strategy to avoid getting to it.
Our relationship has had its challenges, as do most meaningful relationships. However, some of our most challenging times have given us such soul food, and have been the basis for some of our most thoughtful and humorous anecdotes and recollections.
Other travelers
R A J Humphreys (Ron… Dad)
Once we had decided to put our stories together in a book, a friend suggested we include an ‘About the Authors’ overview that included dad.
Her reason… “your dad weaves in and out of the stories and your story writing journey.”
I wish that circumstances were different such that dad was more a part of our story writing journey. If this could have been the case, I believe I would have come to better understand this very profound and self-contained man who was my father.
Our story telling reminded us of special times with dad, who always encouraged our endeavors’. We often found him quietly reading our stories, often with misty eyes. Up until his last days he always encouraged us to please finish the stories.
R A J Humphreys (Ron… Dad)
Our Cheer Squad
There are many people who were and continue to be so encouraging of our journey. Some gave us critical feedback, and others told us of the emotions that the stories stirred within and the inspiration given.
Thank-you to Jennifer Ryan, Ingrid Wilde, Carol Graeme, Sue Williams, Roger Humphreys, Jean Roberts and Elaine Hall for your beautiful and heartfelt reviews that made our little book of memories so meaningful.
A special thanks to Krishna Dutton (Songs and Poems for All Occasions) who wrote a beautiful and poignant inspirational song to celebrate our achievement and story writing journey.”
“In reading these stories I feel that I have been given a special gift. I felt that I could travel back to the simpler time of my own childhood, as well as being allowed an insight into a very special relationship between a mother and her daughter. This read is a rare treasure.”
Ingrid Wilde
“ Through My Eyes what absolute delight I found in reading this book of times shared so preciously between mother and daughter. To say I was moved emotionally is an understatement! I felt so much into these stories that my tears were either of heartfelt love or great laughter.”
Carol Graeme
“Well done, I wish mum and I could have put on to paper what was in our hearts.”
Elaine Hall