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Blog Entry 57 of 66 The Write Words

I hope to write about anything and everything that comes into my mind, as long as it is in good taste. I hope to communicate effectively and stimulate thought and conversation. I can't wait to get started!

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My favorite author is so much more

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Contributed by: Erin Di Paolo on 10/9/2007

Last week, I had the great pleasure of hearing my favorite author, Anne Lamott, speak at a local church. I had seen Lamott once before, a few years ago, but I never tire of reading her books or seeing her in person. And I always learn something new about myself and about life every time.

Lamott and I are alike in some ways, but much more different than the same. She is a far left activist and has many beliefs I don't agree with. Though I was, at one point, as far right as she is left, I have found the middle ground and, therefore, find many points to agree with Lamott. I never thought a Democrat would be one of my favorite people, but Lamott is.

To begin with, after reading Lamott's book, Bird by Bird, a book about writing, I was inspired to begin to write again. Except for journal entries here and there, I had not written in years. I had not realized all those years how much writing is part of me. I never knew how much I really missed it, until Lamott came along.

The quality I most admire about Lamott is her honesty. I never knew one could be so open and real in one's writing. Because she feels free to talk about her pain and vulnerability, so do I. Though Lamott was a drug-addict and alcoholic, God redeemed her life and she is so much more than she used to see herself and sometimes still does.

Lamott is a Christian, as I am, and credits Jesus for restoring her life and pulling her out of the mire that was her existence for years. She is one of the funniest, humble people I have ever met. And she has the rare ability to make me laugh one minute and cry the next, both in her books and in person.

I am grateful for Lamott for more than one reason. She gave me the courage to not only write again, but write honestly and openly. She taught me that it is possible to admire someone so very different from yourself, even a staunch democrat who happens to be pro-choice. And she has demonstrated God's grace, that He redeems those who seem far from His reach.

Her presence in this world has had a profound influence on my life. How many people can any of us say that about and truly mean it?

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Erin Di Paolo

Denver , CO

Erin Di Paolo has posted 66 blog entries and 1 comment since joining on 3/18/2006. Erin Di Paolo 's average blog rating is 4.45.

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