Hello From The Healing Wordsmith

Hey Lovies! Whatcha readin'?

Welcome to my blog. My name is Jeanene M. Hall-Durham "The Healing Wordsmith". I was given that name by a very good friend that told me that my poetry was healing and I was honored to accept, but mostly it humbled me. My prayer whenever I write is that something that I write will touch or help someone. So, when she told me why she called me that I got chills and became very emotional because I knew prayer was heard.

I write because it is healing for me. I call it 'bleeding on paper'. There are many ways that you can express your feelings, situations and anything you go through. I choose writing because it is where I can empty it all out, uninterrupted, in a safe environment and a way that is not threatening to anyone. Growing up and even today, I tend to be cut off when I am speaking, which is a tender spot for me. It made me feel like I was screaming and no one heard me. That is why I named my first book 'The Silent Scream'.

I always pray that something I write will resonate with someone in the most positive way. That something I have gone through, because that's what I write about, will help anyone that has gone or is going through the same thing will find comfort or strength in the midst of it.

A little about me. I am a native of Alaska, the mother of seven and grandmother to 11 (one that is deceased), and a transplant to Georgia. I am a business owner that loves what I do. I own a concierge service. I am a personal and virtual assistant which allows me to help others which is what I love. I am a spiritualist, I love nature, reading, painting ceramics, crystals and most importantly, spending time with my family.

I started writing as a teenager. I wrote the dark, my parents are from Mars type poetry. I put it down for many years and picked it up again in my forties. I was sitting in my son's house and a flood of words infiltrated my brain so I took out my phone and started typing. I had no idea what I was writing until I finished or rather the words stopped.

From that day in 2013 until today, I write the words that infiltrate my brain and hope they make sense to someone. I don't consider myself the typical author. I don't sit at my laptop with an outline of what I want to write and in what order. When the words start to flow, I start to write; I have even stopped on the side of the road to write because the words came as I was driving. My poetry is from pure emotion. I draw from my feelings and sometimes the feelings of others.

I just hope and it has always been my prayer that my writing is a blessing to the reader. That even in my raw emotions there is a jewel that can be taken away and be helpful. I know that we all go through things and it can feel that lonely; trust me I get it. But if one sentence that I write can give you comfort that you are not alone, I have accomplished my purpose.

A little transparency here. I have been homeless more than once. I used to be ashamed of that because I cared too much about what others would think of me. A woman with children living in her vehicle; how taboo. I went through the deepest depression I had ever gone through because I felt that I had failed my children, not to mention myself. I had stopped pursuing my dreams because I felt I did not deserve them. How could I be a millionaire, best-selling author or anything else if I lived in my car? Who would listen to me when they found out I was homeless? The doubt and depression were smothering to say the least and I just stopped. I was frozen in that place for some time and in the midst did not see a way out.

I only had one book out at that time, The Silent Scream: Poetic Regeneration, and the craziest thing happened, I sold 10 copies!

I only knew a few of the buyers and the others I had no clue. But one of the "strangers" that bought my book sent me a message on Facebook that changed the way I envisioned my life at the moment. Helped to see that I was not alone. There words stuck with me as I moved into my home, rang in my ear as I finished my next book and started my business again. Pushed me to write my third book and to this day I hear them...

"Ms. Durham, you don't know me, but I bought your book because I thought the cover was cool and the title made me curious. As I read your poetry, I began to cry because it seemed like you were in my head! I thought I was alone in how I saw the world and myself in it, but after reading a few of the poems in there I knew you knew. Thanks for not staying silent because you have a lot to say and I want, no need to hear it".

Needless to say I was crying like a baby reading that. I replied humbly with "You are more than welcome. It is my pleasure and I will keep screaming just for you".

I said to myself, if I only touch one person with each of my books, I have succeeded. Writing is my elixir. The wounds of life can be deep, but as your body does physically, so does your mind mentally...you heal from the inside out. The pain I feel is bled out on paper so that I can heal and hopefully someone else as well.

Well, that's me. I am just a mother and grandmother that is crazy about her children. I love life, and I love to see others smiling and happy. I hope that one day something I write will be a blessing to you too Lovie.

Thanks for stopping by and we will chat again soon. Let me know what you are currently reading or plan to read in the comments.

Until next time,

Peace and blessings

Jeanene Durham, "The Healing Wordsmith", is an Alaskan native, mother of seven, grandmother, aunt, sister, friend and lover of words. She is the owner of The Concierge Queen LLC, a premier personal and virtual assistance service in Georgia. Jeanene loves to travel, paint ceramics, help other, most importantly, spend time with her family and you guessed it...read.

thehealingwordsmith@outlook.com

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