Slice of Life #14 - Why I Comment

I also reflected on the question "Why I Comment?" - addressed in another post.

Why I Comment

Affirmation

Community

I comment when I'm moved

  touched by another's words

  sometimes they reach down into my heart

  and squeeze it

Sometimes they are so beautiful how they glide
  right off my tongue
Sometimes they are so clever I laugh outloud

Sometimes I have to read them outloud

  to whomever is in the room

Sometimes I tell my friends in person
  about my slicing friends
As I go through my day I find I'm thinking about...
  disciplining kids
  doors - beginnings and endings

  strawberries

  socks getting lost in the dryer world

  hidden identities

  lost earrings

  special places

  lost friends

  insomnia
  Star Wars figures in purses

  beauty in classrooms

  stink bugs

  waxed eyebrows

  changes

  chickens next door

  bubble wrap
  1st meals

  car stories

  remembering and
  role models
and so much more!

Connected

Changed 

Slice of Life #12 - Why I Write

This was inspired by another slicers interview with herself as a writer...I loved the question "Why do I write?" Her answer was inspiring and so I decided to answer the question for myself in the form of a poem.

Why I Write

I write to understand

  to dig deeper and uncover hidden truths

  about myself and human nature

I write to be known

  to share a common experience and connect

I write to refine and hone a craft that so often

   seems beyond me

I write...

Slice of Life #11 - What to Write (Part 2)

What to write...

poetry eludes me

slips through my fingers

   like water

passes through my mind

   like a whisp of mist

chase after the words

   like little girls chase boys

   at recess

like putting on jeans that

   are too tight
the tables have turned
work to capture the essence of
   the moment
just the right words

just the right rhythm and

   flow
write, write, write...



       Click on the slices to go back to SOLC

Slice of Life #10 - What to Write (Part 1)

I've been saying that I want to push myself and venture out to write some poetry, but there have been so many stories that have come to mind I haven't needed to or maybe I've been easily able to avoid it. I just don't feel as comfortable with this genre - it scares me. I don't do it well, but I guess the only way to get better is to write, write, write - right? Ha ha - I'm a goof! Anyway, I already feel better about this poem than the last one. The last poem I did, slice #5, I read it to my husband, AFTER I had already hit the "Publish" button, he says, "Yoda would be proud." Are you kidding me - I thought to myself. It totally was a Yoda thing to say. How embarrassing my poetry is inspired by Yoda. My dad would be so proud.

So here's another attempt...

What to write...

stories, experiences

weigh on my heart

roll around and around
  in my mind
haunt me like a ghost
follow me like a shadow
tugging at my pantleg
  as a first grader would
  to go out to play
must get out
sigh of relief
paper holds the burden
freeing my mind

Slice of Life #9 - The Demise of the Giant Snowball

"Will you help me roll the snowball?" he asks, with anticipation in his voice. Before I'm able to get outside I walk past the window and notice the giant snowball, covered with bits of dirt, being rolled into the middle of the drive way. The rolling stops and now he's analyzing the snowball and begins to attack it with a shovel. I'm thinking it's a good thing the weather will be getting warmer because I don't think that snowball is going anywhere.

Sure enough as the night is winding down my husband says, "Be sure you don't back into the snowball as you leave in the morning!" Oh brother -  It will be a miracle if I remember. I think to myself.

"Mom! Don't run into my snowball when you leave!" my son exclaims the next morning. More worried about the fate of the snowball than anything else. He doesn't seem to grasp the idea that the snowball's life will be short lived. It lasts longer than I expect though. For the next three days, despite temperatures in the high 60's I find myself navigating my way each morning around the snowball. Everyday it gets smaller and smaller. The second day I back around the snowball I notice it's iceburg like sharp edges and dirt beginning to clump around the base of the snowball. The third day, shockingly, I again remember to swirve my way around the small clump of snow, slowly becoming a small clump of dirt. I've found myself each morning curiously awaiting to discover the state of affairs of the snowball, that can no longer be considered "giant" by any means.That day when I come home, I am disappointed to find only a pile of dirt. Out of sheer honor and respect, I find myself swirving around the debris. I'm sad that this one time intruder, that had become our friend, is now gone. Good bye winter - it was time, we know you'll be back again someday!

Slice of Life Writing Challenge sponsored by Two Writing Teachers

      

Slice of Life #8 - Down for the Count

Round 1:  2 weeks ago

As I was driving, nausea overcame me. I turned right around to head straight home. No, I just need to grab a couple things from school first. Finally home, I crawl into bed for the next day and a half. Rest seemed to kick it.


Round 2:  1 week ago

Burning up, her little heart beating faster than what it seems it should. Laying against my chest we both begin to fall asleep. Even though the couch is too short and I really need a pillow - I wouldn't trade this for the world! Will she wake up again crying in the night? It just broke my heart last night to see her so afraid and in pain. She couldn't tell me what hurt. So I just held her, rocking back and forth, back and forth. Then I curled up next to her and fell asleep.


Round 3:  Last Friday

Sitting on the couch by the glow of the computer, reading slices, I begin to hear moaning and groaning coming from the floor. The kids had decided to have a camp out in the living room after family movie night. He said he didn't feel well as we were settling in for the night. There was so much to do that coming weekend I tried to assuage is ill feelings - we had places to go and people to see. I should know better, that child know his body - he's so in tune with it! The moaning and groaning got louder. I put the computer aside, and crawled down right next to him. Sure enough he was burning up. "Moooom..." in a raspy whisper, "Can you get me some water." Later, "Moooooom..." in that same voice, "Can you dump out that water and get me cold water." Then it only got worse and his stomach began to cramp and the fever wouldn't break. I was holding his hand and kissed it because the rest of his skin was so sensitive to the touch. A bit later his hand had slipped out from mine and he says, "Moooom, can you help me hold your hand?" It was terribly pathetic, but oh so endearing to see my big 11 year old boy just melt and need me.

Confession: Sometimes I like it when their sick. Not really sick, just enough they want to cuddle - ya know.

KO:  Let's hope we've knocked this bug out!

Slice of Life #7 - Don't Be Afraid!

Last week I had the most amazing experience! I was in a first grade classroom where the teacher and I have been navigating together an inquiry project. Thus far the students have been doing an amazing job looking through books, writing down questions and facts - quite impressive.

Well...this particular day we began to sort and organize post it notes for us to dig deeper in our research. The teacher and I, modeled this with our own category and then shared how this is exactly what they'll be doing today. Most groups totally got it and began putting circles around groups of post-it notes, labeling the categories and deciding who would research that area. There were a few groups that needed more support and so through questioning and prompting we were encouraging students to notice similarities and differences. There came a point, 50 minutes into independent work time, when I was so engrossed with a group, I began to wonder, "What is going on behind me?" I was worried my supernatural teacher, all-knowing, extra heightened silly sense had failed me. I was afraid to turn around to see what I might find...to my amazement, an hour into this work, the students were totally engaged and deep in discussions, books, pencils and notes! I feel this could be a true testimony to how we can honor students' passions and desires and how they will rise to meet the occasion!