Writers' GuideChildhood Inspiration from Rare Photograph of Young Helen Keller
When I was in grade school, middle school, etc., I read the book of Helen Keller's life during the summer. Every summer. So I know the story very well. She and her teacher Anne Sullivan are incredible sources of inspiration for me. You'll see quotations from Helen (and from Annie) on this blog in the Inspirational Quote of the Day for Writers from time to time because they just had such positive, meaningful and hopeful words of wisdom, comfort and inspiration.
Today, I've learned that Thaxter Spencer from the northeast has had in his possession a picture of a young Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan from 1888 in Cape Cod. The news is astounding. How on earth could someone have such an artifact, such a piece of history, such an inspirational piece of memorabilia, and not be sharing it with the universe? There's a line in the news article saying he didn't think anyone would find it very interesting.
Well, I sure do.
In fact, I find it incredible. I followed the link to the news story and just stared at the image for minutes on end, taking in the expression on Annie's face, watching Helen holding Annie's hand just waiting for Annie's fingers to start moving, to start spelling out some word to open the world up a little wider for her pupil and companion. In the picture, Helen is holding one of her baby dolls on her lap. I wonder if it's the one Annie brought her as a gift when they first met... It's a thought that brings a smile to my face.
I can't begin to understand or express how the story of Helen Keller's life has influenced mine or my writing. I also spent those summers re-reading the
Little House on the Prairie series (yes, the whole thing), so Laura Ingalls Wilder, her family and her values have influenced me as well. But I see the love and companionship between Helen and Annie in the relationship Chariss and Hrazon have in my fantasy novel
Choices Meant for Gods. It's heartwrenching to watch those two as student and mentor in my trilogy. I let the character Master Rothahn describe it with words from our Bible in Book I, and anyone paying attention will have caught it.
And anyone looking at the image at
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080306/ap_on_re_us/helen_keller_photograph today will catch those words from 1 Corinthians 13:4 as well.
"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Helen Keller, Anne Sullivan, rare photograph, Thaxter Spencer, fantasy novel, Choices Meant for Gods Labels: Helen Keller, writing tips
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