About this time last year, I was nearing the end of a writing coaching cycle with Melanie Meehan, writing coach extraordinaire and co-author of Two Writing Teachers. Throughout our few months together, she would drop subtle hints about the Slice of Life Challenge that she co-organized every March.
Other than the fact that all of Melanie’s ideas have proved they’re worth time and time again, I don’t know exactly what made me jump on board to this blogging challenge, right about this time last year. Yes, March of 2020- need I say more?
All things considered, joining last year still is one of the best decisions i’ve ever made. Not only do I have a true time capsule of teaching during the early days of the pandemic, I have also connected with other educators, and grew professionally as I had dedicated time to write.
I know that some of this month’s entries will become mentor texts for future classes, some will spark new ideas professionally, and others will serve as a way to document and reflect in an ever changing world. Much like many TV shows might do- let’s take a look back at what things were like ‘back then’ and fast forward to a glimpse of what they are like now.
Then, 364 days ago
Blogging therapeutically
Finding workshop connections
In the tiny, day to day moments
Living like a writer
Observing every moment
Thinking, putting together, posting
Then, March 1-
Yes, the 13th
The day that acts like a dash
Halting, pausing
What we once knew
Faces soon appeared in tiny grids
Showing resilience, grace, and hope
Still finding the tiny moments
Still grasping to the challenge
Still finding time
Still going
Finding the moments that brought
Joy
Inspiration
Resilience
Hope
Laughs
All until
March 31st.
Now
Cohorts, hybrid, synchronous, asynchronous
Now a part of my everyday vocabulary
Lots of unknowns
With more changes on the horizon
Eager to find this needed time
Devoted to celebrating the tiny moments
That fuel workshop connections
And a love for teaching writing
Some faces still in tiny grids
Some smiles under masks
STILL
Showing resilience, grace, and hope
Still finding the tiny moments
Still grasping to the challenge
Still finding time
Still going
Finding the moments that will bring
joy
Inspiration
Resilience
Hope
Laughs
All until
March 31st.
Allie Writes 
Your post brought back all the good, no so good, and scary moments of the last year. It has been a year when so much has changed and so many changes are ahead. Thanks for making the memories tangible.
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Oh Allie, I’m so glad you’re slicing. I miss you in my daily world, and I’m glad you’ve stayed part of my long-term world. I was trying to explain to someone today the connections that grow as people slice together. Maybe last year’s were stronger than any others because of the shared experience we were all having.
Love your poem and all its repetition, and I’m sending you an important letter that I think will find its way into both of our slicing lives.
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I was also drawn to reflect on last year vs. this year. I love how you crafted it into a poem. These lines caught at my heart: “The day that acts like a dash /Halting, pausing/What we once knew/Faces soon appeared in tiny grids”. They are so true and do such a great job of capturing what it felt like and what stood (stands) out about that time.
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Allie, I’m so glad you’re doing the challenge again. Like you, I joined last year. And like you, I still carry that “dash” of March 13. If only we had known how things were going to be when we said “see you soon” to our loveys that day. If only.
One part of your poem that resonated with me was your brilliant use of listing – the joy, inspiration, hopes laughs….now. Inquiring minds like me would LOVE to know. What’s behind your switch from capital letters to lower case?
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This is so powerful – a poem to use as a mentor for sure. What a great scaffold for kids to think about this month? Last March to this March – I think this would be really powerful for them to do …. maybe we could play with this idea together! Looking forward to connecting this month.
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@ClareLandrigan Yes! Might be one step ahead of you….students wrote a letter to a future self or a poem about their resilience during the past year. Can’t wait to connect soon. Whenever you are up for it
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I am thrilled you’re still slicing, Allie. So much changed last March 13th. YET, coming together again, as a community of writers, this March feels right (albeit stressful).
Here’s to a better March 2021!
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