Today we’d like to introduce you to Dolores Cruz.
Hi Dolores, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve asked myself that question as well. How did I get here? How did this actor/elementary school teacher/dance instructor find her way into the world of writing? I certainly did not see this coming. Growing up, I had kept a journal off and on where I recorded my feelings, my hopes and dreams, and sometimes my innermost expressions would come out as poetry. But for most of my life, I was focused on the aforementioned areas of work while I put my focus on my family – my husband and my four children. I had graduated from USC’s School of Theatre in 1980 and spent some years performing in a local theatre while doing temp work. After earning my teaching credential, I began teaching school full-time and was also able to teach dance part-time in the evenings at a local dance studio while raising my busy family. By 2019, after 31 years of teaching, I finally retired from the Los Angeles Unified School District with the intention of going back to acting.
But in 2017, before my retirement, life as I knew it changed drastically when my youngest child, my 24-year-old son, Eric, was killed in a car accident. As my family and I grappled to make sense of this tragedy and figure out how to continue to live our lives, I began to write. All my pain and confusion, and eventually my hopes, were poured out into new journals. And in doing so, I found healing in this expression of my heart and soul. I wrote a book, Look Around: A Mother’s Journey from Grief and Despair to Healing and Hope, and subsequently started a blog. Soon I began doing interviews on various podcasts and have also begun freelance writing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The idea of writing a book was daunting, but after reading books written by other parents whose child had passed away, I felt confident (well, mostly confident) that this was something I could do. Rather than look at the enormity of the project, I took it one day at a time. I knew exactly what the story was that I wanted to tell, and I simply allowed it to unfold naturally. Then I spent a couple of months revising and editing, re-reading the text dozens and dozens of times. I chose to self-publish, and as a first-time author, I had to find a way to navigate this unknown territory. I wasn’t sure where to start. When doubt would creep in about my ability to really do this (as it did many times!), I pushed it away and reminded myself that this was possible. Thanks to many supportive friends who had done this before, I was eventually able to get my book published. It was definitely a labor of love. After that, it was suggested that I create a website and start a blog. Again, new territory. But I have a brother who was able to assist me with the tech involved in these endeavors, and soon I was handling it on my own.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart as a writer from most other writers is my focus on one of life’s greatest challenges. It is intended to not only tell my story (as I believe we all have a story to tell), but also to help any others that find themselves having to travel this path of grief – and most of us will find ourselves on that path at some point in our lives. I am presently working on a second book that poetically expresses my evolvement from the beginning of this journey until now.
My blog, also called “Look Around” like my book, explores themes related to grief, growth, challenges, healing, and spirituality, which have also become my area of specialty. The basis for all of these writings are not only from personal experience but also from all I have learned along the way from others on similar journeys. I have taken webinars and courses to support my writing. One recent course was the Grief Educator Certification Training from grief specialist David Kessler.
I feel pretty proud of a couple of recent projects. I had an article published in HuffPost which also tells my story of despair and evolvement, and I also have recently completed a screenwriting project along with my writing partner. I must admit that a few years back, I had no idea I would end up with this many writing projects on my hands! I am enjoying it immensely.
And along with writing, I have decided to take what I have learned through this experience of loss and use it to help others. I volunteer as an affiliate leader and caring listener with the organization Helping Parents Heal, which is a support group for parents whose children have passed away. Helping others on this difficult path has helped me as well.
And worth a mention; when not writing, I teach a couple of tap dance classes on Saturdays at our local community college. It’s good to keep moving, keep my mind and body active with the complex steps and patterns, and it’s a whole lot of fun, too!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I believe there is much value in taking time for oneself as a reset when life gets too complicated. I cherish any time I can spend in nature, in solitude, or with friends. You really never know where this life will lead you. I always say take what you are given and do the best you can with it. Take your experiences and your gifts, and go out and run with them. If you love what you are doing, it’s worth your time. It will come naturally. There will be a joy in what you do. And really, as long as you are expressing your true self, it will take you wherever you are meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.doloreslookaround.com/
- Other: Blog – https://doloreslookaround.blogspot.com/
Image Credits
Rick Wilcoxson
