I Write, Therefore I Am

Portola Valley, CA Originally Written October 20, 00
by Aaron H. Schectman

THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then. Opinions pro or con are welcome.

I WRITE, THEREFORE I AM

This is the 9th day of our "vacation" here in Portola Valley with our
children and grandchildren. Mostly we are just loafing. I find that I am
most comfortable when composing on the keyboard of a computer using a word
processor.

I wrote several THINKING ALLOWED pieces when I arrived here and tried them
out on my family. The kids were interested in themselves and the adults
have not seemed to be interested in what I have to say in any of my essays.
So I sulked for about a week and here I am again.

"I write, therefore I am." I think this is true. I wish to communicate
but my early promise as a "raconteur" (printed under my high school yearbook
picture) sort of fizzled out during the years I talked for a living in a
classroom. It is best that I write my ideas out and then go over and over
the text until I work out the bugs. My devoted wife was dragooned into
becoming my editor. She reads my "stuff" through quickly to see if she
likes it and often does not proofread. After she assigns me a grade from
1-10 with 10 being best, I use her corrections, suggestions and again
rewrite.

This works for the one-page essays she limits me to. I have a tendency to
overstay my welcome and drone on and on in page after page. After all, I
write, therefore I am. Most readers do not read and therefore they remain
as they are. This is particularly true of those who receive my "stuff" and
throw it on an every higher pile of paper (if they want hardcopy).

I really do not understand why my pieces are not eagerly anticipated. I
have ceased being hurt by the many who do not respond and sincerely thank
and love those who find what I say worthy of a reply. One or two of my
respondents write lengthy exegeses on my efforts. Several more are short
and to the point either in agreeing or disagreeing. I feel that I am
validated by these replies. I think a lot and feel that I am me.
Carol's Evaluation: 10 out of 10. Carol says, "You sure are!" Gee, it is
good to be back being me.