Award-winning Publishers Weekly Best-selling Author

Lucille removed each item from her bag and examined them before placing her notebook, pen, pencil, easer, and ruler on the desk. The chatter from the doorway caught her attention. Two young girls entered the room. One dressed in everything black–from her dyed hair to her two-inch boots. The other smacked her gum as she flopped in the chair beside Lucille.

“Hi,” she said. “What are you doing here?” She blew another bubble.

“Getting my high school diploma,” Lucille said. “And you?”

“Same. My mama told me now that my child is two I need to finish my schooling.”

“Smart mama. Wish I did,” Lucille said as she peered at her aging hands. Hands that had changed many diapers, crocheted countless afghans, cooked, and cleaned, but never finished school. She decided this fall she would do it. Not for anyone else but herself. She smiled at the thought.

It’s my time.

“I’m Kara,” the girl said extending her hand. “Nice to meet you. You know what they say, right?”

Lucille took her hand. “What’s that, dear?”

“You’re never too old to learn.”

Surprised at the young woman’s statement, Lucille smiled. “True, and I’m definitely old.”

They chuckled as the teacher entered the room.

Lucille opened her notebook and grabbed her pen.

Let’s get started. I’m ready.

Do you remember being excited to learn? I do. Every August after getting my new school supplies, I would look them over one by one. I couldn’t wait for September to arrive so I could write in them. I know what you’re thinking. Strange girl. What can I say? I loved school (well, most of it). I remember getting my fresh new text books and couldn’t wait to crack them open!

Do you think you’re too old to learn? I believe that’s a rhetorical question, as we learn every day of our lives. It keeps our minds from becoming stagnant. Learning new things gives us something to look forward to.

This past week I was in Colorado Springs with seven other students learning about writing. What an amazing opportunity. I learned from the best. Our instructors? Jerry B. Jenkins (co-author of the best-selling Left Behind series – he’s written more than 175 books), DiAnn Mills (author of 50 books), and McNair Wilson (author, actor, playwright and humorist).

Even though our work was torn apart in Jerry’s thick-skinned critique, I know all eight of us would agree. It was well worth it. Being torn apart shows us our weaknesses, and then we can learn. Then we grow.

It’s the same thing in life. God uses our circumstances to grow us. Even though it hurts, He always teaches us something.

We never stop learning. It’s impossible. Good thing!

”Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.” — Henry Ford 

“You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.” — Clay P. Bedford

Christian Writer’s Guild Craftsman – Class VII

Darlene and Jerry B. Jenkins

Darlene and DiAnn Mills

Darlene and McNair Wilson

The Cliff House – where we stayed. Beautiful!

5 Comments

  1. DiAnn Mills

    Super blog! Great writing! And lots of new friends.

    Reply
    • Darlene L. Turner

      Thanks DiAnn! Yes, lots of new friends. Awesome! 🙂

      Reply
  2. susan steeves

    Hey Dar. I am SO…….PROUD of you this was such an adventure.Can’t wait to see you soon.Love sissy Sue

    Reply
  3. Stephanie

    I will officially call myself “old” when I stop learning. For now, I call myself “old” just for fun.

    Reply

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