Shining Together

Today I am inspired by David Kirby’s poem “Satisfaction,” where he muses on remembering to be happy.

I made a list of what I’m happy about from this week. I had instances of having to firmly remind myself to be happy, so this is necessary.

* Jim’s PET scan has indicated his cancer is stable —treatments will continue, but perhaps not as harsh. We’ll know more when we see the doc on Tuesday.

* The Titanic project has been a huge hit. Most everyone is pouring themselves into it.

*  I’ve been putting on clean pop music playlists while the kids work and they love it. One girl thanked me yesterday, saying “it helps her concentrate.”

* I did not put the desks back in groupings after testing and I’m thinking I may leave them this way. Perhaps the kids function better in rows.

* I found cards buried away I bought over a decade ago called Praise Notes. The last couple days while the kids worked, I wrote words of praise and quietly gave a select few the cards. So many are doing such wonderful things, it was time to acknowledge it.

* I’m happy this project has given me space to recognize the happy moments in the classroom, and I can relish them. 

* I’m happy my classroom feels fully mine. It’s been so elusive this year. I got it back just in time. Not many days left and I want to enjoy fully.

*Yesterday 12th period was all singing along to this song. We’ve had many rainy days this year, but “when we shine, we shine together.”

I can find myself flowers…(parody)

 (With apologies to Miley Cyrus)

I was rested, I was ready

A good night’s sleep had me steady

I was right with the day

Time for myself in its sway

I drove my car

To Lakes Park land

Camera firmly in my hand…

I can find myself flowers

Take steps on winding paths

Be one with them for an hour

The colors in varying swaths

I can find peace in the morning

Set my day upright

I can find myself flowers

And share the wonderful sight

My Happy Place

When I was a child, my father would sometimes take me to Lakewood Library after dinner. He'd drop me off in the children's section and go to seek out books for himself. Lakewood Library at that time (built by Andrew Carnegie) was like a palace. The children's section had a huge bay window that overlooked the front lawn, full of trees. A huge marble winding staircase took my dad to where he would find what he was looking for.

When visiting my grandparents in Columbus, I would often see a huge stack of library books in the corner of their living room. My mom's parents were always old, so I pictured their weekdays sitting and reading these books. It was astounding to me. I had no idea you could check out and read so many books!

I thought about these things yesterday as I finally gave in and drove to South County Regional Library, since my happy place, Lakes Library, remains a Disaster Recovery Center. I know it is needed but, dang, I miss my library! I miss the OPTION of my library.

I have specific reading goals this year that are mostly focused on reading a long list of books I've been meaning to read for years. To read these books does not mean to purchase them all, although some I do have to buy. It means checking them out from the library.

Before heading out, I looked online for the specific books to be sure they were available. Then I drove down on a sunny day, listening to Classic Vinyl and feeling so...happy! I wasn't even in the library very long, but I got what I went for...four novels and a Book Page. It made for one awesome afternoon, as I perused the Book Page and started the Jennifer Weiner book. 

And in a small way, it brought back a little more wholeness to my life which was stolen on that gray September day.