Lodian’s lifetime of poems published
Author, 95, started writing after husband died during WWII
Ever since Lodi’s Pearl Klusman lost her first husband in World War II, she has been writing poetry to help her cope with life’s ups and downs.
“I would just sit down and write a little note or poem, something to keep writing and not accept the fact that he was gone,” Klusman said.
Now at age 95, she has published her life’s works for the world to see in a book titled “Grandma’s Potpourri.”
“When she started writing her poems they came whenever about all types of topics,“her son, Phalin Klusman, said. “A lot of the poems are just about things you go through in daily life such as friends dying or friends getting married or doing great things. She also wrote about hummingbirds, rabbits and blue jays. She wrote about good things and bad things and getting through it anyway.
There is no shortage of material for the experienced Klusman, who has lived through the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression and World War II.
Klusman worked on her book for the last year and a half or so, compiling all the poems she has written over the years.
Phalin Klusman said that when his mother encountered stress or hardships in her life, she turned to poetry to cope.
She has collected those poems over the years, and in recent years was encouraged to publish her works by those inspired by her words.
“So we got a publisher and started the whole process,” Klusman’s daughter Marsha Irwin said.
The book contains about 132 of Pearl’s poems, short stories and proverbs. According to Irwin, a lot of the poems in the book are faithbased. Other poems celebrate holidays such as Christmas, birthdays, and even some about animals.
Some of the poems shared in her book include “A loving Creator,” “The Mirror,” “The Tree,” and “Little Rabbit.”
Pearl said she hopes to remind people that God is with them no matter what is going on in their lives.
The book was officially released two weeks ago.
“The book is a beautiful book. It’s just a wonderful little book. I’m very proud of the book,” Pearl said.
The books can be purchased for $22.95 on Amazon and $17.95 on TEACHService.com.
Pearl is a member of English Oaks Seventh Day Adventist Church. She is the former recipient of the Woman of Distinction Award for community outreach and special ministries from the Northern California Conference in 2003. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, art and long walks. She also enjoys singing and playing the piano.