This Is My Life
Age Doesn’t Hamper Judy Larson from Sharing Her Story
At 82-years-old, Judy Larson released her first book on June 21, 2024, called “All That I Have Seen.” The pages share an incredible story of resilience and overcoming circumstances, as the book follows Judy’s story from her younger years to how she secretly battled a tough 23-year marriage with an abusive, alcoholic husband.
The words Judy shares are captivating, with certain chapters difficult to read.
“For many years, no one knew the extent of the hurt and abuse I experienced,” Judy said. “Now, I just want my story to help someone else maybe going through the same types of things.”
Writing a Book
Most people wouldn’t consider writing a book later in life, much less telling a difficult story. In the summer of 2022, a good friend encouraged Judy to write a book.
“Clara was visiting me that summer. We were old classmates and had been good friends for many years. She told me, ‘Judy, you need to write a book! You are such a good storyteller!’” Judy shared.
Soon after Clara’s visit, Judy’s granddaughter Becca was over for a visit and the two were looking through family scrapbooks. The conversation about writing a book arose and Becca agreed, “Grandma, you need to write a book!”
Judy replied how she wasn’t sure what to write about. Becca looked at the books in her hands and exclaimed, “This, Grandma, write about your life!”
“I started looking through the albums and really considered that thought,” Judy said. “I wondered if I could write, even though I’m 81-years-old. Could I, really do it? I came to the realization that I’m no expert, but I’ll try. Nothing can be accomplished if you don’t take the first step and just try.”
Not letting her age hamper her, Judy began the process of writing down her life story. Her granddaughter helped her with grammatical sentences, and when Judy’s computer crashed, she also helped her retype it onto the new one. “Thankfully, I had written it first on paper!” she added.
It took Judy a year to write, finishing it late summer 2023. The book talks about Judy’s life, starting from the beginning, when Judy was born during a blizzard. The reader hears about her love for her immediate family and growing up on the farm in the 1940’s. As a freshman, you learn how she first met Spud, falling in love with an older boy and then wishing she had recognized the warning signs. The journey continues throughout the chapters, how she raised a family and found her way in the world, despite challenges that would’ve forced others to quit.
“Writing was healing to me. I had kept an abusive relationship hidden, not even my girls knew the extent of what had taken place,” Judy shared.
During the writing process, she relearned punctuation and how it was best to not overly use the word “that.”
“You have to remember! I’m in my eighties, it’s been a long time since I had been in school,” Judy laughingly said.
She also took a writing class at Iowa Lakes Community College and one through the Spencer Public Library. Clara’s sister Helen helped Judy find a publisher that worked with her to bring the book to fruition. Page Publishing out of Conneaut Lake, PA assisted with edits and provided suggestions on ways to improve her story.
They sent the manuscript back and forth, and Judy appreciated how they added her pictures throughout the story, rather than just at the end.
“I loved Page Publishing and how understanding they were,” she said. “They helped me so much!”
Her cover photo reminds her of happy moments from her childhood.
“I was the oldest of four kids and sometimes I just needed a quiet place to get away, which on our farm, I had a place on the edge of the grove where I could dream,” Judy shared. This little girl in the photo reminds Judy of herself at that time.
“I would go sit on the hay rake on the edge of the grove. It had an iron seat, and I’d just sit there and think about life,” she remembered.
In the cover picture, there’s hay on one side and corn in the background. The sunset is a glimpse of the many beautiful displays Judy saw from her hidden spot. The dog reminds Judy of their childhood dog named Trixie.
Overcoming Hurt
While there are pages of struggle intermingled throughout the book, there are also stories of hope, love and joy. Judy’s love for her children and family is evident, as well as her faith and love for real estate. There is humor dripping from many pages, for instance, “Wherever we went, there were ‘old people’ (excuse the phrase, I’m old too).”
The reader learns about her affection for her second husband Bob and current husband Larry. You love stories about her girls and grandchildren and special memories at the farm by Rembrandt, her real estate firm in Storm Lake or now living by Indian Hills Golf Course in Spirit Lake.
“One thing I really enjoyed in life was my time in real estate; it became a passion of mine. I met so many good friends and just loved it,” Judy shared. “I also really learned how to handle people and how to act.”
Her faith helped her overcome the abuse and eventually divorce. She said at the time these moments were incredibly hard but has found time heals hurts and now she rarely thinks about it.
“My desire is to help someone now, who may be going through similar struggles,” Judy said.
She also recommends keeping a journal and writing down little notes to eventually remember things.
“Everyone has a story to tell; you just can’t be afraid to share it, and this is why I now have a few other book ideas milling around in my head,” she added. “You also can’t ever think you are too old to try something new.”
Enjoy Judy’s powerful story - a beautiful memoir of overcoming difficulties and finding joy despite the circumstance. And like Ralph Edwards would once share every week on TV, this is Judy’s recollection of “This Is My Life!”
“All That I’ve Seen” can be purchased via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Google Play, and ReaderHouse. For anyone local, Judy has books available to purchase, and she can be reached at jlarson1941@hotmail.com.
