Seeing life out of time

By Heather Killen

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

Paulette Whitman, of Paradise, had to step out of time to compile her latest book.

This collection of previously unpublished poetry and prose was written throughout her life.

Writing has always been a vital part of Whitman’s life. She has professionally collaborated on several scholastic books and other publications.

Until now, most of her personal writing wasn't published or kept in any order, the bulk was mainly isolated pieces of poetry and prose captured on scraps of paper. "About four years ago Dave suggested I do something with them," she said. "I was always planning to put them into a collection, but then this hit me."

Two years ago, Whitman was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition affecting the blood flow on the left side of her brain.

While the right side of her brain is unaffected, allowing her abstract and creative ideas free to flow, the side responsible for logic and order is sometimes inaccessible.

The condition leaves her searching for familiar words and struggling through acts that once came second nature. "I'm a mathematician who can't remember her own phone number," she jokes.

While she once was an avid reader, pianist, writer, and mathematician who lectured all over North America, she now finds it arduous to follow a written sentence through to its end.

She still writes poetry, but she relies on husband Dave to assist her in the editing process.

Neurologists refer to the condition as a developmental venous anomaly, meaning the doctors don't understand it either, she adds.

But her right brain sees the anomaly as the perfect way to describe her life's work to date. She still does everything she used to, but now it takes her longer and time doesn’t hold the same weight as it used to.

In quantum theory, an anomalous symmetry is described as a symmetry of the action, but not of the measure.

In Whitman’s terms, this means that while we can’t control what happens to us in life, we can control how we see it.

And in responding positively to challenges, the life that happens is as valuable as the life once planned. "Life is going to be whatever it is," she said. "But we have a choice to give up, or make the most of it. I've always enjoyed life and I try to make the most of every moment, every second. This is where I am now."

In many ways, the condition has slowed her down and this has provided a rich opportunity to finally piece together her life’s work.

The latest book is a memoir composed from her personal writing, pieced like a memory book that features photos and companion poems written by her mother and daughter.

The compilation is organized in a thematic mosaic exploring relationships and journeys of discovery, rather than depicting the ordinary measures of time spent, goals met, or distances traveled.

Whitman is quick to point out that while the collection isn't chronologically ordered and none of the pages are numbered, there is nothing haphazard about the book.

Names and numbers may have been left out, but they are not forgotten.

She has put a great deal of thought into the placement of each poem, and scrap of prose. "Life doesn't happen in order, " she said. “I needed to slow down and see time as a circle that needs reflection.”

Many of the poems explore subjects at different times, from several points of view. Relationships are explored through the changing perspectives of her life and those of her loved ones.

Now that the memoir is complete, Whitman said she is relieved to have found that as much as she has changed, she’s actually remained the same.

She’s just slower at doing some things than she used to be and she now sees this has been an advantage.

Her husband Dave agrees that slowing down has agreed with Paulette. “She was going so fast she would have exploded,” he said. “She had to slow down, or she wouldn’t have survived.”

Whitman’s memoir, “From Port Williams to Paradise From Granddaughter to Grandmother” will be launched at the Paradise Community Hall on November 2.

A book signing will take place at The Inside Story, in Greenwood Mall, on November 15 from 2 until 4 p.m.

For more information, or to buy a copy of the book contact Paulette Whitman at 584-3036, or email paulette.whitman@ns.sympatico.ca.