Looking out
Through
The glass
That frames
My morning drive
A great expanse
Of rolling
White clouds
Dotted
With patches
Of blue
Unfolds in
Front of me
An audible breath
As sunlight graces
My periphery
Providing
Welcomed
Warmth
Blended with
The morning breeze
An indication of what’s to come
Perhaps
A singular moment of awe and peace
Absolutely
Tag: changes
Chances Are
You have heard
Thought not
Often enough
That what you
Do every day
Matters
Teaching little minds
Touching little hearts
Guiding little souls
Influencing the next
Generation for
The better-
But today
I want to say
It is you who matters
Your mind
Your heart
Your soul
Whether shouted
From the rooftops
Or whispered
On the breeze
My hope is that
On this day
This truth
Covers your
Every fear
Every hope
And renews
Your heart
Yesterday was my last day at school. My heart is overflowing. So many sweet notes and hugs. There remains much to reflect on after teaching these many years. Time…
I wrote this as a goodbye and an encouragement for my school friends and colleagues. Maybe someone else needs to hear the same message. ❤️
Little Things
Tomorrow is my last day at school. My desk is covered with sweet notes and drawings. So many emotions…thoughts feel muddled before I even write them down. But I’m going to give it a try!
Yesterday, two fourth-grade boys brought me handmade Freddie and Eli puppets to take home.
This morning, a third-grade girl gave me a tiny handmade envelope. Open it! A miniature note was tucked inside. ❤️
Several friends in one class came prepared, each with carefully folded Kleenex. 😢
This afternoon, I noticed one of my first-grade students reaching for me and motioned her to come over. She gave me a hug. I told her I was going to miss her.
This student is so quiet. It occurred to me that I had never heard her speak. I would love to hear your sweet voice.
She looked up with her big brown eyes-I miss you. Talk about melting my heart. 🥰
It really is the little things.
Rollercoasters
Standing in line
Waiting for
The imminent
Rollercoaster
Of emotions
I can feel
A low rumble
As my seat
Approaches
Slowing down
Just enough
For me to jump in-
Change is like that
Even when good
Even when needed
Tears will flow
Goodbyes
Will be said
But connections
Are stronger
Than goodbyes
And tears
A result of
The connections
Next week is my last week at school. I have already told my students. There were some tears but also excitement for their new teacher. She will be with us all next week to create a smooth transition.
I received some sweet notes. Also, a journal and some chocolate. 😊 I know there will be more tears…myself included. But we will play, sing, and hug, lots of hugs.
There is a book I plan to read to my classes. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst. It is a beautiful reminder of the power of love and how it connects all of us. Then I will start my new adventure as they continue theirs. And even though I do not like rollercoasters, I am trusting it will be a good week. ❤️
Simply Sunday
Happy New Year! I was so grateful for the opportunity to begin my day yesterday in a poetry circle. Thank you, Ali. ❤️https://flashlightbatteries.blog/
Time for listening, writing, and reflecting. Time to look back before looking ahead.
Always Room
Is there always room to grow?
It is easy to remain
Stationary
Standing firm on
This one thought
I am right where I’m supposed to be
Even if one leg
Feels wobbly
And my tears
Are enough to
Fill buckets-
But tears can
Clear a path
And dumping over
Those buckets
Washes away fears
Leaving my feet
Free to move
Toward something
New and different
Yet, also familiar
There is always room to grow
Open the Door
The view outside
My window
Can be deceiving
Glass is clear
Giving a false
Impression of
Connectedness-
Yes, I can see
The sun shining
Its brightest yellow
The sky painted
A perfect baby blue-
Yes, I can see
But I cannot feel
The barbs dodged
By neighbors
As they walk
Across their yards
Or the biting wind
Reminding them
Of unknown loss-
Perhaps I should
Open the door
Look through my own eyes
Stop simply taking in the view
Place me in the picture
Changing the scenery
While being changed
New Year, New Adventure
Even when needed and sought, change can be challenging. Tears over making the right decision. A lot of emotions to process. And when it means leaving the classroom…a whole new layer is added. Colleagues become friends. Students wiggle their way into your heart.
I have cried a lot over the past few weeks. Just ask my patient husband. 😉 But last week, things fell into place. And although saying goodbyes is hard, I’m excited about new opportunities. I will be sharing more in the coming weeks.
For now, I want to say Thank you! and I love you! to my Union Public School and Ochoa Elementary families. I will miss you! ❤️
Simply Sunday
Ready to Fly
Beautifully bare
Impressions
From life’s
Encounters
Left behind as
History lessons
For anyone
Willing to give
A little time-
See the hawk
Proudly perched
On a branch
Looking back
One more time
At the empty nest
That not long ago
Held its young
Once again
Ready to fly
The past
Held close
To her heart
A catalyst
For change
A sanctuary
For reminiscing
Simply Sunday
Wrestling
Why does
The heart
So often resist
Needed change
All while
The body
Is crying
Please stop!
You need to rest!
Because of fear?
Fear of what?
Disappointing someone?
Making a wrong choice?
The heart knows
The answer
All along
Yet, continues
To wrestle
Within itself
That is, until
Strong arms
Take over
Wrapping
Themselves
Around the chest
Squeezing tight
Releasing
A message
Of reassurance-
Have faith!
It will be ok
Brushstrokes
Morning rises
Night falls
A continuous cycle
Framing daily
Comings
And goings
I trust it to happen
Sometimes, even
Press pause to
Catch a glimpse
And though
It takes place
Right in front
Of my eyes
I don’t actually
Know it’s happening
A transformation
So gradual
Never to be
Repeated
Brushstrokes
And colors
Forever new
Always ending
With light or dark
Visual changes
Left behind
In the heavens
Spiritual changes
Rested deep
Within the soul
Writing Circles
Sharing two poems today that I wrote in a recent poetry circle with Ali Grimshaw. If this is something you’ve considered participating in, check out her website. I continue to be amazed at the process and thankful for the connections. ❤️ https://flashlightbatteries.blog/
Hold the Door!
The same door
Same hallway
Same faces, mostly
Day in, day out
Oh, it’s a fine door
Bright hallway
Smiling faces, mostly
What would happen if I changed my entrance?
No, not a different door
Just held this door
For someone else
Walked that hallway
With intention
Bravely met all
Those faces
Not just with a smile
But with me
Whatever me happens
To show up that day-
Honest, unafraid
My heart open
Ready to receive
Ready to be received
Circles of Change
Thought I was walking
Down a new path
Confident change
Was preparing
To peak out from
Around the corner
At any minute
Any corner…
Any day now…
But it remained
Hidden-not ready
To show its face
Maybe I had been
Walking around
In a circle
Seems I am back
Where I started
Or perhaps
That magnetic
Starting line
Loosened its grip
Just a bit
Before gently
Pulling me back
Tugging at my heart
Allowing time to grasp
A new perspective-
After all, life’s
Biggest changes
Are often felt, not seen
Piano Girl 