What is luck? The right place, the right time or something we can put an effort toward? In Pádraig Ó Tuama’s weekly newsletter, he writes about the contronym of the word want. Want can be a wish or a lack of. He asks what word are you thinking about this week? For me, it’s luck.
I attended my sorority’s state convention yesterday (Alpha Delta Kappa for educators), and I felt lucky four times. I was a first timer, so I went up to get a little prize. I had received a classroom grant, a certificate. I won a door prize. And I raised the most funds for the International Altruistic Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, another certificate. A combination of luck and hard work.
I have to admit I was overwhelmed by the attention. It was all so unexpected. I know we teachers work hard to make the best experiences we can for our students. We don’t do this for recognition. We do it because we care about kids.
My Friday was a rough day. My students were tired from the week of holding all the expectations that are placed on gifted kids. All they really needed was a brain break. I need to remember this and lay a more gentle hand on them and on myself.
Do you know about the junk bug? Another weekly newsletter I receive is Suleika Jaouad’s Isolation Journals.
Rhonda Willers writes about the junk bug, how it carries the carcasses of its prey on its back and transforms into a lacewing.
The sensation of fear is a reminder not to stop, but instead to be aware, slow down, to notice more.
Rhonda Willers
Maybe this slice is going all over the place, but my mind feels like this at the moment, a strange combination of luck (blessings) and fear. Standing on a line between, balancing and hoping to stay stable, calm, and okay.
Lacewing
Margaret Simon, elfchen of the day
fragile balance
lime body lifts
shaking off dead skin
Begin
Reflections on the Teche 
What a beautiful tea towel! And a needed reminder about the importance of brain breaks. Our students do have so much placed on them and very little space to rest their minds. From your poem, the line “fragile balance” is especially striking–strength and fragility in one.
beautiful combination of thoughts! Just right 🙂
Wonderful post, Margaret. I copied the quote from Rhonda Willers into my notebook. Thank you!
Your post unfolds like a brief roadmap of touchstones in your week. Rather than feeling scattered, the post makes connections, zooms in on happenings and reveals aha moments! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for saying that. I’m glad I made a connection with you.
Oh – I get this feeling of being all over the place. There is a line in my post today about my spinning with thoughts. I have not gotten to Suleika’s post today will have to take a minute to read it. Thanks for the heads up.
Your poem is lovely, as is this wonderful phrase: “Standing on a line between, balancing and hoping to stay stable, calm, and okay.” It reminds me of what I tried to capture in the last poem of my novel in verse, Reeni’s Turn, when she is balanced in position to begin her solo—which at once has pulled her through wrong choices back to the fear of attention she has not resolved, and when she realizes that fear cannot be banished, but waits for us to step into it gently.
Thanks, Carol, I think kids will be able to relate to that feeling as well. Is your book published or in process?
Hi, Margaret—Reeni’s Turn debuted in 2020 from Regal House Press (then a relatively small and unknown traditional independent publisher. ARCs went out in February 2020 right with the shutdown.. I believe it’s still available through Amazon; it used to be available through Bookshop. I’d be happy to send you a copy if you can’t get it. You can read the synopsis and reviews at my website to see if it seems appropriate—it’s an MG for 5th-6th grades and mature 4th graders. https://carolcovengrannick.com
I DO know junk bugs! I have seen them and filmed them in my garden! What fun to see them here in your post today, too!
I did not know about junk bugs, but they definitely work as a metaphor here, connecting the disparate feelings, quotes, moment and pictures. “Standing on a line between” & your poem – just the right ending.
Margaret – you made my mind go all over the place too – and I like it. It’s kind of a brain break thinking about all these new ideas – a spring break of sorts. Thank you. I’m going to delve and ponder more. Signed up for the Isolation Journals newsletter. Thank you!
Such an interesting read! Thanks for sharing your thoughts which took us on a journey that made perfect sense. Life is full of twists and turns! I love the elfchen poem.
First: Congratulations, Margaret…the attention may have been uncomfortable but it is absolutely well-deserved. Your hard work benefits so many of us, in more ways than you will ever know. It makes my heart happy to see you honored. What a lovely door prize, too, with that refreshing lemon theme! About the junk bug – wow. This analogy to carrying around deadweight, and fear, and shaking it off to begin afresh…see, even the lemons connect here. You aren’t rambling at all. The whole Slice uplifts and gently encourages. Thank you for every bit of it.
I love the wandering, authentic feel of your slice. You pulled it all together beautifully with that final elfchen.