Is That You?

I’m often asked, “Which character in My Portion Forever is you?” The simple answer is that none of them is me, but the complicated answer is that all of them have a little of me in them. I must connect with each of my characters in some way to write about them effectively. Their problems, sorrows, or joys may not be mine, but I can relate on some level.

The television program "The Voice" comes to mind. When the celebrity coaches mentor their team singers, they encourage them to find memories or events in their lives that connect them to the songs they sing. It adds authenticity to their performances. I’m not a singer except for my grandchildren when they’re young enough to love everything I do, and my church singing is limited to blending with the good singers in the pews near me. I know why the Lord didn’t give me a “public” singing voice. Most songs are so meaningful to me that I would sob through the performance.

I’m not talking about tears streaming down my face in a touching display of emotion; my scenario involves gulping and blubbering that obscures any coherent words. Let’s just forget that image and return to the characters in my novel.

Tanna is a young wife, mother, and high school teacher in a small town on a South Dakota reservation. I can check all of those boxes at some point in my life, but she isn’t me or anyone I know. Her difficulties and challenges are ones I have experienced and observed, but she probably handles them better than I would have.

I have suffered from Trigeminal Neuralgia like Sarah, who is close to my current age, but I am not a widow. I can only imagine the heartbreak and loneliness of continuing life without my husband by my side. One widow told me it’s not something she ever forgot or “got over;” she just learned to live with her new reality.

I probably identify most with Siobhan (Vonnie) because I had to start a new school when I was in the eighth grade. It was much larger than the small country school where I was one of only three seventh graders. Everything in the new school was an adjustment for me, but I’m thankful I had a stable family at home. I also had my friend, Jesus, who was always with me.

“You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”

John 15:14-15