#sosmagic: Unexpected Supervision

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#sosmagic: Unexpected Supervision 

"Can I ask you a favor?" 

I stopped mid-walk, startled by a request from a stranger. I was on my way to meet my neighbor, Dave, for an early evening walk. 

"Sure," I cautiously replied. A middle aged man with two children walked towards me. The man and older child were walking their bicycles. The youngest child stood next to a bike resting on the sidewalk.

"My daughter's breaks somehow jammed. She cannot ride anymore. I gotta get this bike home so I can fix it." He explained.

"That's too bad," I responded.

"I need to get her bike back home, so I need to go back home and grab my van. Can you watch her for a few moments?" He barely waited for my response. Instead, he hopped on his bike, the other child following him. A small girl, donned in a unicorn bike helmet and brown cowboy boots faced me. Part of her ponytail was dyed purple. 

"Wait. What's her name?" I asked.

"V."

"My name is Trina." She looked up at me and smiled a toothless grin. 

"She's a good kid and will be no problem." The man left on his bike. The other child trailed after him. 

"Wait - I'll wait with her on my neighbor's porch." I pointed to Dave's porch ahead of us. 

What just happened? I thought. Although I live in a relatively safe community and a tight-knit neighborhood, it's 2020. I couldn't believe that a man that I had never met before was leaving me with his young child. I had never seen this child before. How did I agree to this? When did I agree to this? Why wouldn't he have just left the bike and walked home with her? What if he didn't come back? Doesn't he realize that we're in the middle of a pandemic? Did he somehow know that I was a teacher? Do I just look that trusting? 

Since I wanted to make sure this child and I were in highly visible space, V. and I waited on the plastic lawn chairs on my neighbor Dave's porch. First I pointed out the mourning dove's nest; next, I showed her where Dave and I found a fallen egg on his sidewalk. While we waited I told V. the few knock-knock jokes I knew. After I asked her how old she was, V. volunteered all kinds of information - where she attended school, her teacher's name, what grade she was in, and where she lived (including her street name and address). 

Dear readers, although I found it bizarre that I found myself supervising this strange child, V. was an absolute joy to talk with. It was the best part of my day.

One snippet of our conversation went something like this:

V: It's almost my birthday!

Me: That's great! When is it?

V: At the end of May. I'm going to be 7 years old.

Me: Oh. That's exciting! 7 is big stuff.

V: Uh huh. 7 will be so great. After that comes 8 and then 9. Then 10! You can do anything when you are 10!

Me: 10 is pretty great. Double digits.

V.: No more kid stuff. Maybe I can even get an iPhone. 

Me: Yeah, I guess you are pretty old when you are 10. How will you celebrate your birthday?

V.: I don't know. Cupcakes. With frosting. And cake. With lots of ice cream.

Soon after the birthday chat, V.'s dad appeared in his mini van. 

"Thanks for watching V.!" The side door of the mini van opened, and V. scurried to her dad's van. 

"Bye! Take care of the baby birds!" V. yelled as the van door closed.

The black mini van drove off. 

I hope he doesn't leave his daughter with random strangers often. It was an unsettling thought. 

Bewildered yet a bit delighted, I knocked on Dave's door and we began our previously scheduled walk. 

#sosmagic: Grotto Gifts

I’m joining an open community of writers over at Sharing Our Stories: Magic in a Blog. If you write (or want to write) just for the magic of it, consider this your invitation to join us.#sosmagic

#sosmagic: Grotto Gifts 

"You're getting a bit too close," D. gently reminds me and outstretches his long arm to make half of a "T". I raise mine to do the same. He is right. I veered too close to him. Again. We aren't six feet away from each other anymore. Even though we're walking outside, even though both of us have been homebound for weeks, even though we have not been around many other people except for the occasional trip to the grocery store donning face masks, we do not have enough distance between us. I move over on the trail, hiking on the unpaved part. D. moves beyond the other edge of the path. 

After over a month, I am still not used to social distancing.

My neighbor and friend, D., lives alone. When my children are at their dad's house, I am solo, too. For days at a time, D. is often the only person I talk to, face-to-face (through a safe distance, of course).  

"Check out that perfect tree hole." D. points to a stunning tree hollow. I gaze at the tree cavity. Suddently, a bit of yellow catches my eye.

"D.! See that in the grotto?"

One of my favorite local trails includes a series of long-ago neglected, abandoned grottos. The grotto ahead hosts a surprise: a small piece of art made from natural objects. It's a collage of forest treasure, including a collection of handwritten uplifting words. 

D. and I stand in awe. He hangs back while I explore the grotto art first. 

"I love this so much," I gush, "Look at all of the words on the sticks. Hope. Breathe. Comfort. Calm. I adore how these words are incorporated with beauty of nature."

I stand back while D. explores.

There are a few paper words scattered on the group, perhaps disturbed from the day's breeze.

The word hope is printed on the piece of paper I pick up with my glove.

D. picks up the piece of paper with the word peace written on it. 

"Should we take the words from this spot?" I inquire. Suddenly, I look around to see if anyone else is nearby. Yet, we are alone. 

"Well, I could use some peace, " D. responds.

"I can always use more hope." I share.

"Perhaps whoever created this envisioned that people would be delighted and honored in finding these words?" I suggest, captivated with the thought that others are comforted like I am in discovering found words. 

D. nodds. 

I place the small yellow paper in my coat pocket.

We continue to walk, six feet between us, on our path.  

Slice of Life #20 Challenge Day 31/31: Walking Habits

Slice of Life #20 Challenge Day 31/31: 

Walking Habits

Since the Covid-19 epidemic began, I've been trying to adapt to all kinds of things: digital learning/teaching, social distancing, and making peace with all of the cancellations. At times it has been a bit jarring and overwhelming. 

However, there hasn't been a day that I have not gone for at least one walk, especially during my lunch hour. Although I often walked before or after school, I didn't walk during my lunch break. Now it's one of my favorite times of the day. I get a break from my computer. I get some time outdoors. I get to spend time either in solitude or chatting with my neighbor/friend, Dave. 

On today's lunchtime walk, I ran into one of my administrators running during her lunch break. In addition, I saw two families out for a walk. My neighbor, Rae, was out on her lunch break and walking with her friend. It makes me happy to see so many people outside.

Generally, I feel better after I walk. I feel less overwhelmed and often less cranky. I'm not sure why I didn't do it when I was physically at school.

Walking during my lunch break is something I want to continue after this pandemic is over. 

Lunch time stroll relieves/

anxiety, tension. Now/

welcome habit change. 

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Slice of Life #20 Challenge Day 30/31: Sidewalk Poetry

Slice of Life #20 Challenge Day 30/31: 

Sidewalk Poetry

On Wednesday the month of March ends and April begins, ushering in National Poetry Month. 

This April, in the midst of the social distancing Covid-19 Epidemic, I need to celebrate poetry and do better in sharing how it has impacted me.

On a walk yesterday afternoon, my friend/neighbor, Dave, and I walked past this piece of sidewalk poetry: 

"I call myself poet...
comfortably, happily.
My life is filled with writing...
articles, essays, fiction, history.
But poetry is what delights me,
sustains me, is my strongest need.
As long as I write,
the rest of my life falls into place."

I was stunned. Dave and I were walking in my old neighborhood. I must have walked over that sidewalk poem so many times, but Sunday was the first time that I actually took the time to read it.

Indeed, "my life is filled with writing...but poetry is what delights me, sustains me, is my strongest need..." 

I adore this sidewalk poem. 

After reading this piece and reflecting on it, I cannot help but wonder what I can do to better help celebrate poetry this April, both at home and in my distance-learning classroom.

Fellow readers, I would love your ideas. What will you do to celebrate National Poetry Month this April? 

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Slice of Life #20 Challenge Day 29/31: Signs of Growth

Slice of Life #20 Challenge Day 29/31: 

Signs of Growth 

From darkness, despair,/
and mess of barren season:/
fresh growth emerges. 

Spring reminds me that somehow growth and beauty prevail after long, difficult seasons of dormancy. 

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Slice of Life #20 Challenge Day 28/31: What I Have Learned So Far

Slice of Life #20 Challenge Day 28/31: 

What I Have Learned So Far

It's hard not to think about COVID-19 without worry. Trust me, I have. However, this morning I found myself reflecting of what I have learned about myself (and confirmed what I already knew about myself) in the midst of this pandemic:

• I am a people person. I would not do well in a job where I didn't have much contact with people. I think that it is FAR more challenging delivering school via distance learning than traditional teaching face-to-face. I haven't figured out a good routine for myself yet. I have also realized that it takes me much longer to help a student virtually. Of course I have digital tools, like Google Meet, but my students aren't really familiar with this technology yet and many do not have access to Internet beyond their cell phone. I miss so many things about face-to-face learning. I cannot wait until I get to see students in person again. 
• I need hugs. Yes, I am a hugger and crave physical contact. There are many staff members/friends who give me hugs when I see them at school and when we get together. Usually, I attend church on Sundays and see my church family there, providing ample opportunities for hugs. During our official "Stay-At-Home Order," I have missed hugs, especially when my kids are not with me. Unfortunately my daughter's guinea pigs only provide me with so much comfort. (Side note: I really need a dog or a cat.)
• I need meaningful connection. Prior to about a month ago, with the exception of my parents and sometimes my aunt or grandma, I rarely talked to anyone on the telephone or via video chat. I only exchanged streams of text messages. In the last few weeks, my friend, S., and I have been talking on the phone daily. Hearing his voice (and the voice of others on the phone) makes a huge difference. I feel so much more connected to people when I hear their voice. 
• I need daily time outside. I like to walk and move and explore, even on rainy and cold days like today. My connection to nature has been particularly lifesaving on days I've felt lonely and unsettled. I always seem to handle challenges with more clarity upon return from a walk. 
• I need daily time to read and write. Reading and writing continue to be my most welcome companions - healthy, essential outlets. Both keep me sane - a refuge for anxiety-ridden thoughts.  
• I can only control so much. I was under the illusion that I was in control of so much, yet daily I am reminded that I only have control over my actions, my words, and my response. I keep realizing that things that seemed to be in my control never really were. 

I wonder what else I will learn from this time and what my own children, my students, and my friends and family will teach me. I am convinced that I still have so much to learn. 

What have you learned? 

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Slice of Life #20 Challenge Day 27/31: Outside Play

Slice of Life #20 Challenge Day 27/31: 

Outside Play

Perhaps one silver lining of social distancing/Covid-19 is the gift of play. Recently, I have spent a lot of time with my kids outside. My daughter loves to play frisbee. My son loves to kick around the soccer ball. As the mother of a tween and teenager, I am giddy when I get the opportunity to spend time with them, especially when it does not involve any kind of technology. 

Tonight we chased each other. 

Tonight we giggled.
Tonight we stayed outside until it was too dark to see. 

I cannot remember the last time we played so hard we got sweaty. I cannot remember the last time we spent so much time outside. I cannot remember the last time the three of us had so much fun.

All because of social distancing.  

Playing with my kids makes this mama's heart full.   Looking to connect with a positive, supportive online community?  Consider sharing a slice of yourlife with Two Writing Teachers.  All writers are welcome!