Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for Tuesdays Slice of Life Challenge.
Jesse Tree in our church
As I sit down finally to write my slice, I look outside. It’s dark, already! Today (Monday) is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. It feels like I snapped my fingers and the day was done. My list is long, and even though school is out, I don’t feel like there is enough time. This happens every Christmas. When will I learn to start early?
Pumpkin bread is filling my kitchen with the scent of something good. The Hallmark channel is on, and I am watching yet another holiday movie, a guilty pleasure. After two trips to the shipping place (they know me by name), I put the final packages in the mail. I finished the Christmas cards. And I replaced the burned-out string of lights on the stairway.
I am not telling you about losing my car in the Walmart parking lot… in the rain. I am not telling you about the failed gift to my students…plastic candy canes full of M&Ms = M&Ms on the floor. I am not telling you about burning my finger on the curling iron. Nope, not going to tell you about it.
I’m not telling you these things because they are minor and mean nothing. When the days shorten, and we are left alone looking out at the dark night, may we see the shooting star, make a wish, and let it go. Let it go! And Merry Christmas, everyone!
Our 2015 Christmas card: a sister selfie.
I loved the way you managed to weave so much into this piece. You captured the truth about our busy days: there are good things that happen alongside the things we would rather just set aside. We choose to remember the good things, but they’re what really matters. We choose to look for the shooting the star – the wish – and let the rest go.
Enjoy your time with your family,
Cathy
Do you ever just sit in front of the screen and start typing? Yeah, that’s how this happened. Too much going on to really focus. I think the practice helps it come out sounding somewhat thought out. Thanks!
Something to be mindful of this season and always – look for the positive. Merry Christmas!
Beautiful, Margaret, just enough to treasure, to say goodbye to those other “small” things. Wishing you missing cars and M & M’s on the floor in the new year, to remind you of what’s important, those stars!
I love how you recombined my words to write a poetic response.
Like you, I try to put the minor disturbances and upsets out of mind and focus on what matters.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Margaret!
Thank you for this post, Margaret. Your reminder to focus on the important is well received. Merry Christmas!
Loved the flow of you post!
Merry Christmas! You caught so much so familiar to us all. Beautiful girls!
“we are left alone looking out at the dark night, may we see the shooting star, make a wish, and let it go. Let it go!” I love this line! In all the rush and craziness it some times is best to make a wish and let it go! Happy Holidays!
Hmmm. I think you captured the spirit of Christmas perfectly. All the things that are; lovely in spite of the rain and the dark. Thank goodness. Loved the sister selfie! Merry Christmas my dear friend!
How we look at things is always a choice…I like your choice. Beautiful Christmas picture of your girls! Merry Christmas!!!!
Margaret, This is a delightful post because you did not start from a negative perspective in the midst of trying to get things done in the short amount of time you have. So in the midst of about 20 poems floating into cyberspace with no way of retrieving them, I am left with a longer to do list thank I started off with. I do not have your poem or your student’s (can’t remember which student’s work you submitted. Now I need them to finish up the gallery. Do you have time to send them on or lead me to the blog post so that I can grab them from your Twitter account?
*Carol *
*Carol Varsalona* *E*LA *C*onsultant Co-Moderator of *#NYEDChat* 1430 Surrey Lane, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 (516) 317-8306 (C) Blog: beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com Twitter: @cvarsalona