My Imaginary Reader: Bette Midler

When teaching writing to youngsters, I talk to them about different types of writing. One that many have done is diary writing. We discuss what made them want to write a diary, keep a journal or other forms of daily, weekly life thoughts on paper. They talk about the need to get things out, to share what their thoughts are, and to not be judged. It is ultimately decided that journaling is about sharing something. So I ask them, "Who are you sharing it with," or "who are you writing to?" Undoubtedly, they imagine someone. Some students say God, others a make up an imaginary person, and others write to a parental figure be it a teacher or parent. Most recite that diaries are somewhat secret and that they do not expect that imagined person to really read their thoughts, but that having the potential person listening is important. So, this is my attempt to journal like a child. This journal is written to my imagined reader, Bette Midler, the Divine Miss M.

For 22 years I have watched her life. As an adult, I met her after her Vegas show last week and had an overwhelming feeling of wanting to sit and talk to her over coffee about life, love, and traversing this world. I see her as someone who has done it; she has made it through the ups and downs, the self-questioning of both her gregarious self and the quiet one, and now seems to be in a place where she gets to be accepted as herself, all of her possible selves. She has found love: for her family, her career, her Earth, and herself. I want those things too and imagine conversations with her that would help mentor me on my adulthood journey. Meeting her solidified my want to have a long conversation with her. I need her to chat with me. So, this is my conversation, my journal to Bette.

Do I imagine her reading this? No, probably not, but it is not completely a null idea, I suppose. Maybe the chance of a coffee chat is enough to get me thinking, processing, and journaling? So, "Hi, Bette. I'm Jenny and I've met you before. These are my questions and ideas, things I'd like to discuss with you someday."