Does writing tend to call out the real person hiding inside some of us? Are you a closet writer? Who are you, really? The birthday of Robert Louis Stevenson was just a few days ago. His family wanted him to be a lighthouse keeper. He had other ideas and pursued those dreams. I’m very glad he did not follow his parents’ wishes, but chose to leave some literary gems to the world which will last forever.
Heron Carvic is another fascinating writer who sort of broke the mold. He ran away from Eton and his father and went to France. He wrote the Miss Seeton mysteries. His books are so fascinating that I stayed up most of the night reading Odds on Miss Seeton. This is probably the fourth Miss Seeton book I’ve read. After his death, another writer took up the Miss Seeton series but I haven’t read any of those books.
Heron Carvic was an interesting person! He was the voice of Gandalf in the BBC radio version of The Hobbit. He also played Caiphas the High Priest each time the play version of The Man Born to Be King was broadcast.
I believe in following your dream, listening to your inner voice, being an original. There’s only one you and God must think you are pretty special because you are made in His image. 
When I taught kindergarten, I really emphasized creativity. To this day, I do not like “run-off pages” or workbooks for children. Filling in the blanks or choosing the right word is a poor substitute for writing an actual sentence. I set up learning stations around the room. We used physical objects that the children could feel instead of numerical symbols on paper. Art was original. No coloring within the lines and if somebody wanted to paint a purple tree, he did.
Parents and teachers sometimes stifle individuality. They may want to see their own dreams fulfilled through their children, whether it is being a star athlete or a scientific or mathematical whiz. I say, Nay and Forsooth to such foolishness. A child is special, unique; he is to be treasured, his own talents and abilities encouraged.
So, on this Sunday morning, that’s my sermon for the day. However, these two authors, Stevenson and Carvic have set me thinking about individuality. It might be good for us to ask ourselves, Who am I, really?Am I being true to my Creator and myself? Am I happy with who I am? Remember, in all of God’s creation, you are the only you.
Good morning! That reminds me of a line in a Dr. Seuss book. I may not have the words exactly, but the thought is there: you are unique, you are special, that is certainly true. No one else in this world is you-er than you! Have a wonderful day, Auntie!
I believe I remember that Seuss book. I hope you have a wonderful day too, Missy.
Thank you for your inspirational and well-written comment. May it serve as a reminder to teachers and other adults to appreciate a child’s creativity. An art teacher once told me, “You can’t make a mistake. You are the artist.” Congratulations on your success as an artist. I hope your kindergarten teacher has seen and remembered too.
I shall send this post to my granddaughter in England. Emma began her teaching career in August.
I remember a coloring project in kindergarten, we were given a sheet of paper covered in squares and told not to go outside the lines. I drew a line corner to corner across the squares and covered each triangle half red and half green. I was told not only had I not followed instructions, but also chose colors that a real artist would not put next to each other. I replied, ‘God made red flowers with green stalks, so it must be alright’. When my Mother came to collect me, she was told I was an impertinent child.
My watercolor paintings have been in many exhibitions over the years, I always hoped my kindergarten teacher saw my paintings and remembered that impertinent child who though red went beautifully with green…..and triangles were more interesting to color than squares.