Tag: connections

Rollercoasters

On By Piano girl6 Comments

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

On By Piano girl4 Comments

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

On By Piano girl6 Comments

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! ❤️

Teacher Brain

On By Piano girl5 Comments

I know that face
It’s a year older
But, still, the face
Of a child
The smile
A bit more
Confident
You were one of my favorites that year
Yes
I remember
Kind
Hard-working
Friendly
Artistic
Your face
Why could I not remember your name?
Hours later
And miles away
My mind clears
A name appears
That’s it!
Remembering
Makes me smile

Last night was meet the teacher time at school. Former students often return with their younger siblings to say hello. One stopped by my table. I was so glad to see him. We talked about the previous school year. I asked if he was taking an art class. Yes! He smiled.

Tomorrow is the first day of this school year. There will be so many faces, old and new. And though it may take a while to remember their names, connections will begin with their smiles.

Writing Circles

On By Piano girlLeave a comment

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

Blog Anniversary!

On By Piano girl24 Comments

Yesterday marked four years since my first Piano Girl blog post! I continue to be thankful for this WordPress family. I look forward to reading your words and continuing to find new connections.

A lot has happened in four years. Not the least of all, living through a pandemic. Times of sickness, death, isolation, masks, and vaccinations. Challenging does not begin to describe.

And yet, good things pushed their way through the muck. Extended time with family. New friends connecting across the miles thru zoom. Resilience tested and proven within so many. I even had my first book published!

No, those things do not erase current events distress from the wars in our world and gun violence in my country. They do, however, encourage me to cherish the connections I have, old and new. They remind me of the importance of loving, even when we disagree. They give me hope.

Here’s to year five! Prayers for peace. Actions with intention. Words to encourage. Stop by and say hello!

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. I Peter 4:8

You’ve Got Mail

On By Piano girl2 Comments

My email inbox is quick to get overloaded. Because I tend to ignore it. Until the thousands of unread messages are overwhelming.

My daughter gets after me about this habit quite often. But she is also quick to help. And I must admit, it is a relief to see that empty inbox.

Today, its state is somewhere in between control and chaos. Cluttered, but not enough where I might miss an important message.

…like the one that arrived this morning with a swoosh.

I have met so many amazing people through the writing circle process. One of those sweet friends recently asked if I’d like to be on her mailing list. She sends a weekly letter out to a few friends.

Due to the often out-of-control state of my inbox, I almost declined. So thankful that I did not.

Her words are always timely, and today was no exception. Acknowledging the worries of this world while also brightly shining her light. Honest and challenging. Reading her words, I often find myself saying, Me, too! That fact alone places her emails at the top of my must-read column.

So, if you are feeling heavy today, you are not alone. And just as I received encouragement, long distance-may I offer some to you?

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Thinking I need to re-read.❤️

“All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors—in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.” -Fred Rogers

An Old Friend

On By Piano girl7 Comments

A jeans and t-shirt girl
That is what I call myself
Oh, I enjoy getting dressed up
For the occasional night out
But if you ask my preference
The answer never changes-
A comfy pair of jeans
And a favorite t-shirt
Now, those jeans can’t be comfy
Without a little wear
Walking down a rugged path
Resting on a large rock or two
Carrying smooth pebbles in my pocket-
They find their purpose that way
Not just a protective covering
No, much more
A reminder of where I’ve been-
Legs crossed sitting by the fire
Those jeans feel like an old friend-
And the t-shirt?
Well… if it’s my James Taylor t-shirt
There is no contest-

Today was a virtual/distance learning day for students in our district. Yes, we know in-person learning is best. But when so many teachers, staff, and regular subs are out sick, it makes in-person learning pretty much impossible.

That meant I pushed out music lessons/activities for students on an online platform. I receive a notification each time a student submits a response. They always make me smile.

After lunch, I noticed a stack of boxes near my classroom. I quickly discovered they were the new keyboards recently ordered for my piano class! Ten of them, complete with stands, headphones, pedals. I’ve got some work to do tomorrow!

This may not have been an ideal teaching day. But there were bright spots. And here I am, sitting on the floor in front of those beautiful boxes, wearing a favorite pair of jeans and a school t-shirt. It was a good day…

Not my James Taylor t-shirt, but it will do. ❤️

Beyond Happy Birthday

On By Piano girl10 Comments

It’s all a matter
Of perspective
Well-rehearsed
Full of love
Celebratory
Happy Birthday!
Performance
Complete with
Full chorus
And orchestra

Impromptu
Full of love
Rambunctious
Happy Birthday!
Complete with
Kindergarteners
School hallway
Their stage
It’s all a matter
Of perspective

Each rendition
Delightful
In its own right
In its own space
But those sweet
Kindergarteners
Singing in
The school hallway
Provided a harmony
Beyond music

My birthday celebration this year was topped off with a special treat. My husband surprised me with tickets to see James Taylor and Jackson Browne in Kansas City, MO last night. Road trip! ❤️

So excited!
Copperline
You Can Closer Your Eyes
Happy tired

Four hours of life’s soundtrack from these two artists who are still going strong. Both in their seventies, I was amazed at their energy. Inspired by their love for what they do. Sharing the power of connection that lives in their music.

I hope to write more about this event. But right now, I want to bask in the harmony beyond music. It started with those sweet kindergarteners and continued right until the final note of last night’s concert.

So close your eyes
You can close your eyes, it’s alright
I don’t know no love songs
I can’t sing the blues anymore
Oh but I can sing this song
You can sing this song when I’m gone-James Taylor

Dear Friends & Family

On By Piano girl8 Comments

I continue to be amazed at the connections near and far created through blogging and am grateful for all who take the time to read and reflect. And I have a favor to ask. If you have not already, would you consider purchasing my first poetry collection, If I Were Made of Glass?

Friends, family, and my WordPress community, I am thankful for you! ❤️

Available now on Amazon and at Potter’s Grove Press.