Taking Back My Crayons
Written by Miss May 2014, Talya Boerner
As a creative kid, I was always coloring, doodling, or crafting something in the middle of the kitchen table while Momma cooked supper. I loved words and usually had my nose stuck in a book. The thought of writing a school paper made me downright giddy. I wrote my first autobiography at age nine. (A little boring but hey, I hadn’t done anything yet.)
At some point like most kids, I put away my crayons in favor of more “practical” endeavors like algebra and basketball. And when I headed for college Daddy said, “If I’m paying, you’ll get a business degree.”
So I did.
An economics degree wasn’t a stretch for me, after all, I grew up processing farm payroll EveryFridayNight for as long back as I can remember. To be clear, Momma was the one actually typing up checks and paying the farm hands. My little sister and I “helped” using old deposit slips and Monopoly money. Each week we took turns being the farmer and the banker. Both jobs were incredibly stressful.
Since I wanted to escape the farm, I chose the only other path clear to me. Banking. And I’m not knocking it. Banking offered a multitude of opportunities, yet after twenty plus years, I walked away.
To write.
I took back my crayons. And guess what? They still have that same sweet smell.
A month or so ago, I attended the Delta Symposium at Arkansas State University, a truly unique event encompassing the Arkansas Delta. My Delta. As I listened to discussions on William Faulkner and southern humor I thought about how my life had evolved in the two three (I’ve lost count) years since I left the bank. Not only the change in my day-to-day routine from making loans to writing stories, but in my new community.
Talk about growing your garden…stick with me for a moment while I get a bit abstract. My garden is now filled with people and experiences that never existed to me as a banker. Doing what I was truly meant to do has been life-altering. I have pushed myself, spread stronger roots, blossomed. Instead of working with black and white and debits and credits, I have 64 brilliant colors for drawing and blending and shading and creating. And there’s a sharpener in the back to keep everything fresh.
Arkansas Women Bloggers has been a key part in building new relationships and opening doors for me. So have the friends I’ve made at Hemingway-Pfeiffer and The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow where I attend retreats as often as possible. Writing is solitary work—most days it’s just me, my dogs and my MacBook. Having a community of like-minded friends has kept me motivated and focused, helped me tap back into my creative side.
Are you still reading? If so, I thank you and count you among my community. Now it’s back to creating and tending to my garden.
See ya next week!
That was lovely! I love your writing style and I love anything about your growing up years with Staci, Momma, and Daddy, and of course your adventures in writing. Yes, we look forward to seeing you next week!
This was so good. I really enjoyed it. You always did like to color.
You have certainly blossomed in the time I’ve known you. You have found your true vocation. I love reading your work and being with you at writing retreats.
I so enjoyed this T.! You have such a way with words and I look forward everyday to what is coming next!! I truly wish we had spent more time together growing up….I guess the age difference was a big factor!!! I am glad you left banking to pursue writing! Look at what we would have missed!!
I can relate to walking away from one career to do what you love. I stopped teaching after 29 years to work with my *colors* too! And as an artist, I work alone most of the time. But it is worth it to do what you enjoy doing. The stress is gone too, which is a bonus! Thanks for sharing!
Beth, we are fortunate!
I love hearing your journey from the farm to banking and back to writing! It’s inspiring to hear people share how they get to a place of loving what they do! 🙂
Thank you Alison! It’s been an adventure so far, and I’m just starting:)
Again, amazing … thanks 🙂
And I bet you don’t worry about coloring within the lines either, do you? In fact, I bet you much prefer a blank sheet of paper:) Loved this, my friend.
Thank you Debbie! Yes I love a blank sheet of paper:)
Love the crayon analogy!!! I am doing the solo thing too, and it’s been a serious adjustment. At the same time that I left an office job, my best friend/sister moved across the country. It’s been tough sometimes, and the ARWB ladies have definitely helped. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Laurie! Yes, having a community makes all the difference!
Great going. This is a lovely piece. I felt almost envious, except I AM a writer! But you did draw me in. 🙂