For eight consecutive weeks I led a veterans’ writing group. We met for an hour and a half every Thursday on Zoom. There were members in attendance from both coasts and everywhere in between. We had Vietnam veterans, Afghanistan veterans, Iraq veterans, and peacetime veterans all hanging out virtually. The only barrier for entry was service. Aside from that, all veterans were welcomed. The perspectives varied from anti-imperialist San Franciscans to boomers that still wanted blood for various offenses. Generally, we were all positioned between the extremes. It was beautiful.
As a participant in Worth’s classes and yours, I vouch for both These classes made me think about “big” issues affecting the world and “little” issues of my own.I shouldn’t say little for my issues as they are very big ones for me and my sanity These classes made me feel both alive and more at peace with myself and the world around me than I have felt for years. I found my issues were more universal in the veteran community than I could have imagined. Indeed I discovered we are a community, maybe a sub culture that I liked being a part of. I too made new friends that I deeply cared for and identified with across a broad range of age, experience and views. I deeply wished that our broader society could interact and address the problems that we face with the civility and respect and concern for each other shown in these classes I add only one comment these classes are fun too. Stan you did a great job. Thanks
You’re so right man! These classes were lots of fun. I’m as excited about starting Worth’s new class next week as I am about restarting mine next month. I get a lot out of both personally and I’m really glad you were in mine and trusted me for all of this. Listening to you speak in both classes really hammered home the universal nature of the struggle many of us have with not feeling as if we did enough and although I know it was something you wrestled with, it was good to know I wasn’t alone in that exact same sentiment. I took solace in the fact that you as my elder were working through similar things as I was and it made me feel less alone. If our culture as a whole could engage the way we did in these classes I imagine there would be much less division. If anything we all learned that despite our many differences we were, at the core, very much the same. This felt like a ramble session and I apologize haha but I’m really stoked to have met you and become friends brother.
Way to go Stan! I’m so happy you followed your heart and did this. So glad you are continuing to share your talent with others who need it! Praying for wonderful things to come! Love and Hugs!
As a participant in Worth’s classes and yours, I vouch for both These classes made me think about “big” issues affecting the world and “little” issues of my own.I shouldn’t say little for my issues as they are very big ones for me and my sanity These classes made me feel both alive and more at peace with myself and the world around me than I have felt for years. I found my issues were more universal in the veteran community than I could have imagined. Indeed I discovered we are a community, maybe a sub culture that I liked being a part of. I too made new friends that I deeply cared for and identified with across a broad range of age, experience and views. I deeply wished that our broader society could interact and address the problems that we face with the civility and respect and concern for each other shown in these classes I add only one comment these classes are fun too. Stan you did a great job. Thanks
You’re so right man! These classes were lots of fun. I’m as excited about starting Worth’s new class next week as I am about restarting mine next month. I get a lot out of both personally and I’m really glad you were in mine and trusted me for all of this. Listening to you speak in both classes really hammered home the universal nature of the struggle many of us have with not feeling as if we did enough and although I know it was something you wrestled with, it was good to know I wasn’t alone in that exact same sentiment. I took solace in the fact that you as my elder were working through similar things as I was and it made me feel less alone. If our culture as a whole could engage the way we did in these classes I imagine there would be much less division. If anything we all learned that despite our many differences we were, at the core, very much the same. This felt like a ramble session and I apologize haha but I’m really stoked to have met you and become friends brother.
I’m so glad you are continuing with creating community by teaching these writing classes. I am proud of you for saying yes!
Thanks! Hoping to get more people signed up for the next session but it’s been a lot of fun.
Way to go Stan! I’m so happy you followed your heart and did this. So glad you are continuing to share your talent with others who need it! Praying for wonderful things to come! Love and Hugs!
Thanks so much Rick! It was a great experience for sure.
As a lifelong teacher, I love this post so much. You intuitively knew to go with the interests of your students. Bravo!
Thanks! I really enjoyed it and although I felt like an imposter leading the group it was still very fulfilling