On this last day of the SOLSC I am thinking about so many things. This year felt different for me – more challenging. It seemed more challenging to find ideas, to flesh out those ideas, and to read and respond to other slicers.

That being said, I have been inspired to continue a daily writing practice. That is always my goal, but life gets in the way – or I let it. When I turn my calendar to April tomorrow, I will pencil in time to write rather than leave it to chance.

Thank you to all the slicers who gave me food for thought, formats to imitate, and responses to buoy my spirit. If I haven’t responded to you this month, I will be returning to read and respond to more slices in the weeks ahead.

Thank you to twowritingteachers.org for providing this space to write, connect, and learn. It is greatly appreciated.

Until next year for some you, and until Tuesday for others, I wish you days filled with hope and joy and lots of writing.

It’s not what I thought I would write about tonight, but here I am. I don’t understand why some people are so mean. Someone I love is hurting because someone has hurt them.

Family relationships are tricky, to say the least, but family is family, and you only get one. I tell my 7th-graders that they don’t have to “like” everyone, but they must “love” everyone. Loving someone means you respect their choices even if you disagree with them. Loving someone means not making them live up to some preconceived notions you have about how a relationship should look. Loving someone means not trying to change who they are.

All relationships have ebbs and flows, ups and downs, but if the relationship is important to you, you try your best to make it work. However, trying to make it work cannot be one-sided forever. You get to the point when the hurt becomes too much, and it seems as though nothing will change. That’s when you need to acknowledge that this relationship is taking up more bandwidth than you have to give, and it is okay to take a break or break the chains that are weighing you down. Stop asking “why” and start focusing your energy on those who love and support you unconditionally.

Remember, every person is worthy of love and respect. Words can hurt. Actions can hurt. Exclusion can hurt. Think first.

Opening Day of Major League Baseball (MLB) is like Christmas morning for me. Yesterday was rainy on the East Coast, and the Phillies’ home opener was postponed until today.

My love of baseball and the Phillies runs deep. I have so many baseball memories – some I have written about before. Each Opening Day takes me on a trip down memory lane and fills me with warm feelings of the past and hope for the future.

Disclaimer: I wrote this poem during the pregame show. It was a disappointing Opening Day loss to the Atlanta Braves 😦 (9-3). But this Philly girl will be here cheering all season.

OPENING DAY

Crack the bat.
Punch the glove.
It’s the start of the season
that I love.

Take the field.
Scuff the ball.
It’s Opening Day of
Phillies baseball.

Strike ‘em out.
Hit it far.
Which one of the Phillies
will be the star?

Win or lose,
I’ll be here.
Let’s go Phillies make it
a World Series year!

While in the checkout line in Dollar Tree today, I heard someone call my name. It was the parent of a student I taught for a year and tutored for several years. C. was a smart boy who didn’t have much enthusiasm about school. We made small strides during the time we worked together, but he wasn’t all in as a middle schooler.

What a great encounter it was to hear his mom tell me how C. was all in for his high school years. Now a senior, he has earned first honors and is involved in stage crew. It made my heart happy to learn he will be going to college to study mechanical engineering. Good for you, C.!

The bad news is I forgot my phone today and not on purpose! The good news is I made it through the day without getting the shakes.

On my way to school this morning, I realized that I left my phone at home. I was only a couple of turns away from school and toyed with the idea of going back home to get it, (It is only a 10-12 minute drive, and I had 15 minutes until my appointed arrival time) but I decided it would be cutting it too close.

When I got to school, I called my husband from the main office to let him know that I did not have my phone. I knew it had been in my pants pocket when I came downstairs for breakfast, but where did I leave it? Apparently, my need to multi-task was the culprit. I had been reading a book on the Kindle app while I ate my bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios, and there it stood when I returned home after school.

I seriously considered running home during my prep period at 11:10, but then the more rational me talked myself out of making an unnecessary trip and wasting time and gas. Instead, I began making a list of things that I would normally use my phone for. Some are less important than others.

Every experience brings a learning opportunity. What did I learn today?

• Dependency – I depend on my phone far too much. I was going to do some errands after school, but my phone held account numbers and shopping apps which I needed. I should prepare some things ahead of time.
• Creature of Habit – Since I didn’t get to do my three puzzles and share them with my sister-in-law and niece, I felt out of sorts. I usually do them before work every day, but today they had to wait until I returned home along with the other “things” I check each morning. I guess I hit the snooze button once too many times this morning.
• Weather – Every day a student in my class asks me the temperature before he gets ready to go to lunch recess. I could find that information on my desktop.

I am proud of myself for not giving in to panic and rash decisions because I was sans cell phone today. I didn’t reach for it as much as I thought I would, but I must admit; I broke out my emergency Diet Coke at lunch today. 🙂

It’s late
I’m tired
And have no ideas

You think
It’s easy
That words grow on trees

The moon
Is full
The kids want to play

It’s late
I’m tired
But have one more day

I’ll end
This now
For everyone’s sake

Just one
More day
And then it’s spring break!!

This morning the full moon was gorgeous! I am sorry I wasn’t able to stop and pictures. I had to drop my car off for inspection and then be dropped off at school. If I were alone, I would have played amateur photographer with my iPhone. The full Worm Moon inspired the following haiku.

Moon Haiku

The full Worm Moon played
Hide-and-seek behind the trees
On the way to school

First, it was my guide
Then was over my shoulder
Last – in front once more

Round and low and large
So bright through barren branches
Spring brings Full Worm Moon

Today’s slice is a 54321 Daily Reflection idea I found on https://www.hellobrio.com/blog/54321-journal.

5 Things On My Mind

• Easter Break: There are only three school days next week, then six days (including the weekend) off.  I look forward to spending time with family and sleeping in a day or two. I would like to take care of some things on my “to-do” list while I am off.
• New Air-Conditioning Unit: The contractor dropped off the units, now we wait and see if the weather cooperates with the installation plans. We’ve been saving for this for a while, and the time is finally here.  
• Clutter: I am on a mission to declutter my life – my home, my classroom, my inbox, my mind.   I am taking baby steps, but each drawer, shelf, or closet cleaned out gets me closer to my goal. 
• The State of the World: Watching local, national, and international news is brutal. I would love to put my head in the sand and ignore it all, but I can’t. It all makes me sad and worried about what the world will be like for my grandchildren. 
• Tiredness:  I have been so tired lately. Maybe over the break, I can start a routine that will help me have more energy – like sleeping longer at night, exercising, meditation, or yoga.  

4 Things To Do Tomorrow

• AquaFit:  I look forward to my weekly Saturday classes in the pool.  I can do so many things in the pool that my body can’t do on dry land. I feel invincible in the pool!
• Read:  Trying to read at night during the week has not been working for me, so I am penciling in time during the day this weekend.  I am reading The Great Alone.
• March Madness:  This time of year is always exciting yet frustrating if you have a bracket. (I don’t, but my husband has been yelling at the TV.).
• Dinner at Capital Grille: My siblings are taking us to dinner to celebrate my husband’s retirement.  I have never been to this restaurant, but the menu looks delectable.

3 Things I’m Grateful For

• Closet: I cleaned out a closet at school, and it feels so freeing. There were books in there that were here before I arrived 11 years ago.  Time to purge!
• Easier lesson planning:  With only three days next week, planning was a breeze.
• Comfy clothes:  Changing out of my work clothes into something more comfortable can change my whole mood – especially my slippers!

2 Things I Want Less Of

• Scrolling:  I am trying, but my phone has me in its grips.  Too often in the evening, I find myself mindlessly scrolling social media.  Maybe that’s why I am not getting any reading in.
• Clutter:  As you can see, it is REALLY on my mind and appearing twice.  

1 Soul Moment

• Seeing my kids be there for each other whenever they can.