Remember When

Interview with Top Poet Marcia A. Newton

• How did you meet your husband?
  In the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy Gale is transported from Oz back to Kansas, Auntie Em asks Dorothy what she had learned. Dorothy answers, "If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn't there...then I never really lost it to begin with." I hold Dorothy's words close to my heart because I met my husband in my own backyard. Let me explain.
  
  My mom was an elementary school teacher in our school parish. She told me about a new teacher that was hired to teach the 6th grade. From the beginning of the school year, my mom would try to get me to come to her school to introduce us, but I was already in a loving relationship, so I declined. That didn't stop my mother.
  
  On the last day of school, she invited all of the teachers and staff of the school to our home for a last day of school for a picnic and pool party. When I came home from a day of work, all of the teachers were in the backyard either swimming or having a picnic. At that point, my mom pointed to my future husband, who was in the pool, and she said, "That's Roger." He waved to me and said hello.
  
  I stayed at the party and mostly listened to the conversations of the teachers. I have to admit that I thought a lot about him after the party. He finally called 3 weeks later to ask if I was interested in getting together. We made plans to go out that weekend. We have been together ever since we met in 1973. We married in 1977.
  
• What advice would you give people who are facing a tough time in their relationship?
  I usually don't give advice but only share my perspective based on my own personal experience. Fairy tales always end with "and they lived happily ever after." This may be true in fairy tales but not so much in reality. Every relationship goes through tough times. If you handle it together and lean on each other, you will get through the tough times. During my own times of doubts, fears, disappointments and confusion, I hold on to the memories of our love story. I shared our love story when I wrote the poem "Remember When."
  
  During our tough times, we share memories of how we met, what it was that attracted us to each other, what our best memories are, the ways we enjoy each other's company, and how we make each other feel. We try to remember the good times, the love shared, the life and family we created, how we supported each other's hopes and dreams, how we held on through personal loss of loved ones. Every couple has a love story to remember. Try to remember the good and try not to dwell on past mistakes.
  
  Scripture tells us that that love is patient and love is kind. Hold on to God's Word and let it burn in your heart. Try to remember to forgive one another for past hurts caused by words or actions. Most of all, pray that God will hold you in the palm of his hand and guide you through the tough times so that you can continue your love story. I have heard that a true love story never ends. A love story only ends if you don't cherish, nourish, respect and love each other. Only then is there a "The End" to the story.
  
• Your write a lot about faith and love. What makes these such easy topics to write about?
  You can only write about what you truly know, believe, and experience. When I write about faith, it comes from my roots in the beliefs of the Christian Catholic faith. I believe that God, the Father, is creator of all things. I believe Jesus is God's Son and my Lord and Savior. I believe that the Holy Spirit is the inspiration that burns inside me when I am called to write a piece of poetry. I believe that Angels surround me and guide me through life.
  
  When I write about my faith it comes freely, naturally, and effortlessly because I truly believe that the words I write are the words inspired by the Holy Spirit. When I write about love, it comes mainly from my own life experiences, but I do get inspired by some stories told in books and movies. I have been fortunate in my life to have had 3 great loves. Each experience was joyful, happy, and loving. I never had a bad breakup, but that doesn't mean there wasn't sadness and emptiness over the end of a beautiful relationship. Again, I use the experience of love I share with my husband and the love shared from past loves as inspiration for my poems about love.
  
• What is your favorite experience that has resulted from being published on Family Friend Poems?
  My favorite experience is knowing that my poems touch the hearts and souls of so many people that can relate to my writings. When I get copyright requests for the use of my poems, I know that my writings will be used to spend the message of faith and love. I truly believe that the Holy Spirit is using me as an instrument to create poems that spread the Good News of God's love for us and the love we need to have for each other. This is not only my favorite experience, but the most beautiful.

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