I am participating in a month-long writing challenge called The Slice of Life Story Challenge sponsored by Two Writing Teachers. The purpose is to share little short "slices" of your everyday life in realistic terms. "Slicers" also read and comment on other bloggers' slices. Today marks the conclusion of the #SOL17 month-long writing challenge, 31 days of blogging and commenting, of reading and learning, of writing and sharing.
Here are two AHA moments that I've long wanted to blog about, and the final #SOL17 day is PERFECT for connecting the two! They share some commonalities, and I offer up the Slice of Life tie-in to bring these aha moments full circle..
1. I finished reading R.J. Palacio's incredible book Wonder with my kids just before this next event (#2 in this short list) occurred. I absolutely loved sharing this story of courage, hope, kindness, and overcoming struggles - such an important book for 8- and 9-year olds who live a rather sheltered life with limited diversity in our small community. This lovely book isn't an easy read, it's long and it has some difficult themes for 3rd graders. However, it has so much to offer kids—it contains many nuggets of gold and words of wisdom! Check out my one of my favorite quotes above. 2. In November of 2016, a dear friend (the daughter of a dear friend) competed with our local high school band in the state ISSMB finals and performed well. In addition to taking a tough schedule filled with honors and AP classes her senior year, this friend was one of the drum majors, putting in many hours to help our marching band pull together another top 5 finish at the state level. These hard-working students were treated to a much celebrated and time-honored tradition in our community - the "welcome home from state" fire truck ride! It works like this: student buses returning to town stop just inside city limits at a shopping center. They're met by parents (and friends like me) AND several local firetrucks. Students climb aboard the firetrucks and ride through town with sirens blaring and horns honking. Parents (and friends like me) follow along in a caravan and honk their horns as a show of support. Some adventurous parents (and friends like me) generally follow a bit and then meet at the high school to await the arrival of the students for an end-of-season wrap up pep talk from the band directors. Some very adventurous parents (and friends like me) weren't content to go wait at the high school, so we decided to follow the firetrucks for a short time and then jumped ahead in the route, parked along a side street and cheered, waved and honked when the firetrucks went past. Then we jumped ahead again and waited for them, following this routine in a few different locations along the route. Most kids caught on and loved that we're beating them (barely) and waiting for them. It was a total SCREAM - such an incredible way to show support and appreciation for their efforts. {Side note: this is such a strong community tradition that when my school applied for a National Blue Ribbon Award several years ago, we even included in the document that receiving this award would possibly result in a celebratory firetruck ride! We were awarded the distinction of being a Blue Ribbon School, but we didn't actually get to do the firetruck ride.} The quote above from Wonder made me think of the firetruck ride. I think everyone should have someone who champions them, someone who encourages and believes in them, and someone who is there to cheer when goals are met. I think everyone should definitely get not only a standing ovation but also a celebratory ride on a firetruck with sirens blaring, horns honking, and family and friends waving in honor of YOU. Which brings me to the #SOL17 tie-in: I offer this heartfelt THANKS to all who have inspired me with your #SOL17 posts and your reactions to my own slices. I appreciate each and every one of you for your ability to see something in my everyday writings that often I didn't even see myself. Truly, you made me feel like I was on the receiving end of a standing ovation just because you took the time to comment, often sharing a connection to your own lives. Thanks, fellow slicers, for making me feel like a state champion! I've learned so much about writers and writing, and about myself. I've tried some new formats and love that most of these will lend themselves to sharing with students, too! THANKS also go to Two Writing Teachers and all of the organizers and Welcome Wagon support slicers! Thank you, Stacey, Betsy, Beth, Lisa, Melanie, Kathleen - and any others I've missed! You all are deserving of your own celebratory ride on a firetruck—you are champions, one and all!
6 Comments
3/31/2017 08:24:42 am
This comparison is awesome! They did this in my small town and we loved to go and cheer on our sectional and state champions! You deserve a Standing Ovation! 31 days is AMAZING! I have enjoyed getting to know you as a writer and hope that you continue to slice (I am going to try and slice each Tuesday) until next March! Congratulations!
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3/31/2017 06:24:56 pm
That is my favorite quote from Wonder and is the only place in the where I cry! And being from Indiana, I so get the state finals firetruck ride. What a great metaphor. I do feel like we should all be riding a firetruck today! It has been fun not only seeing the reading side of you, but also the writing side. With so many slicers to read and comment, I didn't make it here as often as I would have liked, but I hope you continue writing with us on Tuesday. That is where the connections endure. I am so glad you accepted the challenge.
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Lisa
3/31/2017 09:47:33 pm
Thanks so much for all of your support, Katie and Leigh Anne! I do plan to continue on Tuesdays. I appreciate this chance to explore my writing side, too!
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4/1/2017 12:12:57 am
standing ovation for all, virtual champagne on the house -- even the slicers who did not complete the 31 one day writing stretch but very well might next time.
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Vanessa Worrell
4/1/2017 02:10:34 am
This is a great way to end the challenge. Love all the connections you made. Well said!
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Lisa
4/1/2017 09:34:44 pm
Thank you, Vanessa x2 - you both have been very loyal supporters during the past month. I appreciate you BOTH and hope to continue to follow your slices into the next year on Tuesdays!!!
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