How far is too far? To travel For one Conversation Over a meal Or a cup of coffee For one hug Combining Both greeting And goodbye Considering time As the crucial Measurement These may Seem minor Unimportant Except for years Of living That reveal In certain times With certain Loved ones That one conversation Over a meal Or a cup of coffee That one hug Combining Both greeting And goodbye May hold the key To a treasure trove Of memories Enough to Last a lifetime Face to face Heart to heart No thought Given to Time Distance Or the drive There and back
Writing helps me process feelings. During one of my classes today, I decided to put that truth into practice. It wasn’t a terrible class, just loud. Lots of yelling at each other, mostly playing but foiling my attempts to teach songs/play instruments.
I could feel myself getting frustrated. So, I decided to try something different. I started a short music video, and I began to write. Some noticed, curious. And when the video ended, I explained what I had done.
I explained how writing helps me process my feelings. And that I was feeling frustrated. Then I read to them my words.
I love my job. But there are some moments. Especially the crazy ones that follow the awesome ones. The awesome ones are filled with music and laughter. So worth the energy.
I want each class to have that experience with me. To see the me that loves music. The me that loves life. The me that loves them. Not the me constantly saying, Sit down! Listen! Please don’t hit each other with the rhythm sticks or lick the dots on the floor. Maybe next time…
It was suddenly quiet. I had kept myself from overreacting. They were listening.
Reflecting back on the day, it was mostly the fun kind of exhausting. This was only one small piece. A piece I felt was worth sharing. Because perfection is never the goal. The goal is learning. Life-long learning. And sometimes the lesson is for the teacher. ❤
Both familiar And strange How can this be? Blonde hair Streaks of gray Blue eyes Edged with lines Same smile Pretty much My reflection Is not all I wish it was Certain changes Cause that Familiar smile To shrink Until I look Intently Beyond Temporary Revealing What resides Within Beauty And ashes Alike Evidence Of life’s Experiences Accumulated- You are More than The reflection Staring back at you
Two instances led to this reflection. The first one, a photograph. One in which I did not like the way I looked. At least, certain parts of me. The second, a comment from a student. I answered the question, What year were you born? 1967. The response-Then how in the world are you still alive?
That made me laugh. And then it made me smile. There is so much more to this life than how I look on any given day. And though I need to take better care of myself, the unseen will always be more important than the seen. So, in case you have any doubts-You are more! ❤️
Silence is simple Or so I thought Best to keep Feelings Intense Hidden Fearing If spoken Out loud They might Become an Endless Roaring Waterfall Of emotion Drowning myself And all who Approach Might is the key I suppose It can’t see The future Nor can I And waterfalls Though powerful Are great teachers Inspiring The heart To open even In the face of Apprehension
Earlier this week, I sat down to play the piano. And So It Goes by Billy Joel was one of my choices. It seemed to stick in my mind for the rest of the week. So, this morning I read the lyrics and wrote from the line that stood out.
Each encounter Holds potential For change If only I look past Myself Not get lost In the currents And instead, Gently drift Mingling with Other hearts Passing by Keeping Each other Afloat until We reach The shore Resting Until ready To jump Back in Experiencing Each encounter Creating change
Dewdrops Twinkle Like stars Resting Among Green Pine needles Playing tricks On my eyes Now you See us Now you Don’t A simple game Of hide-n-seek The same way Children Play outside ‘Til the sun Disappears And the wind Carries them Home to rest Dreaming of Their next visit To the Loblollies
Sitting outside one morning after a rain, I noticed little bright spots in the trees. One would shine and then disappear just as another came into view.
My eyes went back and forth between the trees for several minutes. Each glimmer made me smile.
Joy in the simple things. And how much fun is it to say Loblolly? 😉
A forced Slow down Initial Frustration Pushes me Outside My eyes Greeted By sunlight My skin Cooled By a breeze Morning songs Of the birds Leaves On the trees Fluffy clouds In the sky All gently Floating On the same Breeze that Touches My face Seeing Hearing Feeling Choosing To be thankful While waiting For the power To return
The cafeteria during kindergarten lunch. Twice this week, as I’m assisting with lunch, I hear the following -”Hey! You’re the music people!” “Yes, yes I am!” Nothing like The Village People. Well…
Scene Two
Kindergarten music class. “Hey, Music Teacher! I have ten kittens. I want to give you a kitten!”
Scene Three
Same as above, except at kindergarten lunch. Same sweet boy. ❤️
Scene Four
Talking with three 5th graders about self-control and being leaders. One girl says to the side, “Cute outfit!”
I’ll take it! But probably not the kitten. 😉
There are more, but I’ll stop there. School is exhausting. Kids are funny and sweet, grumpy and angry. But they are kids. I’m working to find the best in each day with them.
Left out All alone Crawling Inside A shell To hide- Excuses Abound when It happens None Of which Makes up For the feelings Being left out Leaves behind One tiny Flashlight Has the power To pierce The darkness Of loneliness Calling the one Once left out Into the light Ready to stand Ready to shine
