Some days I need to express the gratitude more explicitly than others. Some days I need to shake the sadness with a little bit of intentional sharing. I should probably get this as a tattoo: Gratitude evaporates frustration. So here goes. Mrs. Haupsteen inspired me with her sharing of the best moments of her day. Here's mine today. Each morning I pour the perfect amount of half and half into my coffee to paint it the just-right shade of mocha. A best moment of every day is that first delicious sip as I get ready in my silent bathroom, thinking about the day that lies before me. Every day when I leave for work, I hug each of my sons and tell them to have a good day. Today Jude and I initially shook hands like business professionals, and then we laughed at the silliness and hugged like we meant it. In my College Comp class we did a quickwrite about memories from our early school years. (We were imitating Sherman Alexie's "Indian Education.") I wrote about poking holes with a straw in my processed cheese kindergarten snack and learning about the the power of women from the lovely Mrs. Murphy who introduced me to Nellie Bly and Lucretia Mott and Marie Curie. Returning to those magical childhood moments was certainly a best moment of my day. My nephew is now a freshman in my building. Every time I see him smiling in the hallway with his friends is one of my best moments. At lunch my coworkers and I talked about passports and traveling, and I practiced the art of listening and laughing as Mr. Stumbo recounted witnessing PDA in Paris while on a trip with students. (I have my own stories of PDA and Paris, but I didn't share them at the staff lunch table. Nor will I share them here.) My last class of the day was pretty quiet during a group discussion until we started sharing memories from elementary school. Suddenly we were a rapturous chorus of laughter and "I remember that!" I feel better already. Yes, I could write another list of "Crappy Moments," but I won't stay there today. I'll let my gratitude evaporate my frustration. What was YOUR best moment today, friends?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AboutTeach. Archives
September 2020
|