Pressed Pages ~ a place for memories, reflections, stories, and aspirations; the space in which I’m charting my journey through time and memory.

Every road and turn has been inspired by so many individuals and experiences; an unexpected career, the numerous roles I’ve had in my life, and the roles I’ve been privileged to have in others’. As anyone, I’ve had my share of challenges, fears, elusive dreams, and unequal odds. Oftentimes, the woman I pictured myself becoming wasn’t the woman who was moving through the steps of each day. We learn early that life isn’t always easy or fair; but the journey ~ and our dreams ~ are always worth pursuing.

Words matter; they record our journeys and they put voice to our dreams. Writing has been a constant companion throughout my life. As a writer who was tapped to be the voice for numerous individuals throughout my career, I often worried that my best words were being given to others; and giving them away left me feeling empty instead of satisfied that I’d done my job well. Now, I’m taking the time to be reacquainted with the memories, ideas and parts of myself that were put to the side while I nurtured my young children into adulthood, succeeded in a challenging career, shared a life and divided roles with my husband to ensure balance and, very often, simply did what was necessary to pay the bills.

This gift of time I have now is one I’m using to explore the places – and people – in my heart that speak to me; sometimes they call loudly, other times, they whisper. And in this chapter, I’m going to gently unwrap my memories and cull and craft the stories worth telling that, until now, have been kept safely tucked between the pressed pages of my life.

Each is a jewel. I treasure them.

- Barbara J.