Help L'Tanya Complete This Chapter of Her Story

I’ve been keeping a secret.

In 2015, I started an MFA program in Creative Nonfiction at Bay Path University. After having taken a year off, I will finish the program in the spring of 2019. I didn’t mention it because I wasn’t sure I could work full-time and parent and complete the coursework, much less the 120-page thesis (which is about 100 pages longer than anything I’ve ever written) without losing my mind.

Since I'm not eligible to receive financial aid, I am reaching out to ask for your help with the cost of tuition for the final class, Thesis II.

I may not have shared my enrollment with many people, but I’ve always been clear about the reasons I’m here.

Somebody’s Watching Me

Two of those reasons are 14 and 24; young men who I hope are proud of me. They’re watching and haven’t been shy about expressing themselves:

To me, you’ve always been qualified to be considered a professional creative writer. I didn’t think much about you going back to school for an MFA until you did. Now I just want you to finish because I know how much it means to you. But to me, you were always great. [L.A.]

I’m glad you’re in school because it’s what you want to do. And you’re old. Nobody goes back to school when they’re old. [Gerren]

(There is a compliment in there…somewhere.)

My Biggest Why

[Minnie Durante, 1936-2013]

Ma taught English for more than 30 years. In that intimate way parents know their children, she encouraged me to write. I wrote some, but not much. And then she was gone.

When I lost her, I didn’t think I could put one foot in front of the other. But two years later, I took my first class…in her honor.

With your help, I’ll take my last class next semester. We all have a story to tell. This program has helped me hone in on the way I will tell mine.

I am grateful for whatever support you can give.