Imagine the Possibilities

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

Yesterday I was searching for something on one of my book shelves and came across a small box of pennies. Opening that box transported me back to a time when I did quite a bit of staff development. To get teachers thinking and writing, I would sometimes ask them to choose a penny, look at the date it was minted, and think about what was going on in their lives at that time. Ah-ha! Maybe there’s a story for me in here just waiting to be written! I chose one…

1985 – I’m much, much younger. Married less than ten years. My kids are little, very little. Brian is ready to start kindergarten…

One sunny summer morning I pack the kids up and go to the park. Today there is something special going on – a craft fair! With Ann in a stroller and Brian by the hand, we make our way through the crowds past stands of pottery (don’t touch!), hand-knitted scarves (Mom-Mom would like this), and homemade jams (yes, you can have a sample). “Stay with me,” I warn. We linger by some handcrafted wooden toys for a few minutes, then continue on. A stand with colorful, hand-painted greeting cards catches my eye, then another with delicate silver jewelry. Suddenly, I realize there is no little boy with me, no one holding onto the end of my jacket. I race back through the crowds calling his name. My son is missing! is the only thought in my mind. Heart pounding. Tears spilling. Hands shaking. I take a deep breath and retrace my steps. One minute, two minutes, it might as well have been a hundred minutes. But then…I spot a familiar red shirt back at the stand with the wooden toys. We are reunited.

The details might be a little fuzzy, but after all these years, that feeling of sheer panic still resurfaces when I think of that time.

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

It stands like a sentinel at the bottom of the stairs, keeping watch, keeping time, keeping our lives on track. We have come to set the rhythms of our lives by the chiming of the bells. Fifteen minute intervals that mimic the Westminster Quarters from Big Ben. Dependable. Steadfast. Comforting.

The other night my sleep was interrupted. Was it the change caused by the switch to Daylight Saving Time? I watched as the clock jumped from 1:59 to 3:00. I imagined an hour of time lost in space, swirling through the stars looking for a home, a purpose. But there was something else that wasn’t right.

I checked for Allan…quietly snoring beside me.

I checked for Cyrus…stretched by the side of the bed.

Years ago I would have checked on the kids…tonight I could only hold them in my thoughts.

Then it came to me…the clock wasn’t chiming. Had time stopped? Had I entered into a time warp? Was I time traveling?

Before long I was able to quiet my thoughts and return to sleep…sort of.

Ahhh…I just heard the Second Quarter Chimes. Time has returned.

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

We interrupt this gray and white winter to bring you a splash of color and warmth!

Longwood Gardens holds an Orchid Extravaganza every year from January to March. There are three OrKid Days as part of the celebration where families can enjoy art activities, storytelling, investigate the patterns and colors of orchids, and delight in wonder and fun. Yesterday, at the last OrKid Day for this season, I was delighted to conduct my favorite activity – storytelling.

The book was Fantastic Flowers. In it, author and illustrator Susan Stockdale takes a look at some unusual looking flowers. She imagines them as a ballerina, a baboon, an ice cream cone, and many more. The kids enjoyed looking at the book, but the real attraction were the puppets that one of our volunteers made to accompany the story. Puppets never fail to draw in even the most reluctant listener. Yesterday, one little girl entered the space with her head down, clutching her mom’s hand, content to partially hide herself behind mom. They sat down and I invited her to come closer so she could see. Immediately she gave me that “I’m-fine-here-on-mom’s-lap” look. Fair enough. As some of the other children started finding the puppets that went with the different spreads in the book, I saw her inching closer. It wasn’t long before she was right in the mix, delighting in matching puppets to picture and laughing at the unusual flower names.

Here is a picture from yesterday and a few others of the orchids at Longwood. I wish I could take credit for those, but they were snapped by Longwood’s volunteer photographers.

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

I shop at several different grocery stores depending on what I need, where I am, and sometimes the time of day. Each has its pros and cons. The one closest to me is not my favorite, but it’s fine, especially if I want to get in and out in a hurry. That is, of course, if I can find a place to park. This particular grocery store is in a very busy shopping center where there are many eateries and small businesses whose customers all vie for the best parking spaces. So you can understand my frustration yesterday when I was continually blocked from parking by a reserved sign! This particular store seems to boast quite a few that you don’t even notice until you have already pulled in!

I totally understand parking spaces that are reserved for people with physical disabilities. When I had knee surgery last year I had a temporary permit which helped tremendously. I’ve come to accept spaces reserved for “Expectant Mothers” and “Customers with Small Children.”  They weren’t around when I was eligible to use them, but I know I certainly would have appreciated them. But it’s the other reserved spaces that I just don’t always get. Associate of the Month? Employee of the Year? I’m sure these people would gladly give up their spot to make a customer happy. After all, good customer service is probably how they earned the title in the first place.

How about reserved spaces for:

Grandmothers

Parents With Teenagers (they have enough stress)

Preschool Teachers (or teachers in general)

Surgeons (surely they need to get in and out quickly)

Cars with Dogs

People Who Love Books

Customers Buying 10 Items or Less

We are all special in some way and we all deserve a good place to park.

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

Answer: This ritual happens in many homes across the country every evening.

Question: What is watching Jeopardy!?

Answer: I receive this several nights a week right after the Final Jeopardy question                            appears.

Question: What is a text from my daughter?

Answer: This professional development superstar, author of The Book  Whisperer and Reading in the Wild, was once an answer on Jeopardy!

Question: Who is Donalyn Miller?

I was saddened this week to learn that the host of Jeopardy!, Alex Trebek, is battling cancer. Only a few days ago (while watching Jeopardy!, of course), I had remarked to Allan that I didn’t think Alex would ever retire. Jeopardy! is one of those universal events that so many people can relate to. I am never surprised when I hear someone talking about watching Jeopardy! every night. I’ve heard it from friends, co-workers, even celebrities. I know many people who know someone who has appeared as a contestant on the show. Last month we watched to see the son of a college friend of ours compete. We all can hum the Final Jeopardy tune, and there have been any number of references to the show on other TV shows.

Both of my kids are Jeopardy! fans. As I mentioned before, Ann will quite often text me the Final Jeopardy answer before it is revealed. Brian records the shows so he can watch them at his convenience as well as fast-forward through the commercials. It’s just one of those things that stuck from their childhood. Both of them, as well as Allan, are quick with their answers, and I am always amazed at their accuracy. I often need a little more time to think.

I know so many of us wish Alex well, and will keep him in our thoughts and prayers.