We were lucky to catch up with Lori Ulrich recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lori, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I wrote Turning the Corner to honor my late son. I’d say I’m a lyric poet. My poetry is a collection of elegies, which reflect upon death and mourning. I write to process my own grief. I write for myself, and through myself for others who feel as I do, those who have lost loved ones, those who ache with untold stories. By sharing my work it is my mission to experience a connection with others who have lost a loved one, or seek to understand grief. People rarely express their sorrows openly and honestly. By writing the truth, not shying away from the pain, I have opened up my heart for others. It is my hope that my poetry speaks to others, lets them know they are not alone. My words are for the sons and daughters of others gone too soon, for husbands, wives, parents, family and dear friends who’ve left us. Each poem stands alone in vivid imagery, allows others to witness their tender moments. It is my hope for others to find strength, and know that the love they have for their loved ones will carry on. When I first lost my son I looked for books that would tell me how others felt, really felt after a loved one passed away. All I could find were books on grief therapy, the stages of grief, journal questions, but nothing from a parent perspective. By writing poems about how I felt, it is my hope that others will find some comfort in knowing others feel as they do.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My mantra is to Experience Connection. I am a poet with heart, my work is soul centered. I’m a retired teacher who lives on a farm with my husband, close to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I write of family, relationships, and my home prairie landscapes. My stories are published in Chicken Soup for the Caregiver’s Soul, and Through My Eyes: 74 True Stories of Survival, Strength and the Power of Believing. My poetry has appeared in several magazines and anthologies, including Quillkeepers Press and Spring Magazine, Emerging Saskatchewan Writer’s. I have poems in two chapbooks, along with my writing group Sisters’ Ink, of which I have been a member for over twenty years. I am also a member of the Saskatchewan Writer’s Guild. Turning the Corner (Quillkeepers Press) is my debut poetry collection.
I have been writing, predominantly poetry for as long as I can remember. Writing is my way of processing the world. Poetry is my light and laser, it shows the truth, and helps me see through it. A person finds themselves when they write. Writing has been my life’s passion.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My son was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor at age nine. The tumor was in his optic nerve; he had three years of experimental chemotherapy during which time he lost his vision. Together, with my husband we embarked on a different life path. I was a special education teacher at the time, and devoted all my home energies to my son. We both worked tirelessly to provide our son with a life and opportunities available to him. My son was gifted intellectually and strived to survive and be the best version of himself. He gained independence, obtained a university degree, several certificates and became a reflexology and massage therapist. He was a known musician. At the young age of twenty-nine he was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer, passing away four short months later. He left his new wife behind. Throughout the twenty years we had with him after his first diagnosis I wrote. My son became my writing topics. I wrote a poetry book on blindness, a memoir titled Experiencing Connection: 365 Days Without You, I wrote every day for 365 days after my son died. I wrote from a place of loss and healing. I wrote the truth, messy and honest. I wrote a third book titled Turning the Corner which was published by Quillkeepers Press. My goal was to share, experience connection with others who had lost someone they loved. My wish was to honor his life, as well as others.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I believe the most rewarding aspect of publishing my first poetry collection was making a connection with my readers. I received many heartfelt comments, appreciation for writing the truth, and having the courage to tell it. When a person receives positive feedback, then they know they’ve done the right thing. Some commented on the raw emotion, and the courage of telling the truth, of the struggle to feel normal again, knowing that after a person loses a child there is no longer a sense of normal. Some responded that they didn’t know before what it would be like, and through my words, they understand more. Readers both laughed and cried, an emotional rollercoaster of feelings. There is a search for peace in grief writing, delving into different aspects of spirituality. Several commented on their own losses, and how my poems spoke out to them, honoring how they felt as well. This is the most rewarding aspect, having others connect and share those connections with you. I continue to write grief poetry; it appears to be my calling. I write. It is my way of processing and understanding. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: loriulrich.com
- Facebook: Perry-Lori Ulrich
- Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/events/1391309654847520/?ref=newsfeed&__cft__[0]=AZXrgNMVEo35xHswDd6fn_2V0wTWwJoqu937IWW_D2pdPo4PXgglrSNcnKMldwuLuXFEGKlm4nU0nty3-l6uiptN7pSP-S72ioNpmmpQUdoaMID54Zoivs5HDalT7poEuSp1E6-gr1xim8u-XLzpNvCG9BiZDA_J58MEXQEHv-1vAw&__tn__=H-R
Image Credits
This images were taken by family. The one woman in the picture is Belinda Betker, my guest reader at my book launch. All images are approved.