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A Moment to Last

 In February, I was doing the normal perusal of emails when Cindy's (@MsChiubookawrites) email popped into my inbox. There was the usual department information from district, but also, an invitation to join this "Slice of Life" writing challenge. I thought to myself, writing for a month? I could probably do that.

A thus began my journey as a first-year Slicer. Upon the second day, I griped to Cindy about not knowing what to write for a second post. Looking back, I have learned so many strategies from so many of you: Cento poems, writing about specific objects, looking out the window, writing about specific places, having a plan, not having a plan, and so on.

I write from my work computer, as my brain classifies this challenge as "work-related". I have over 50 tabs open in a "To Be Read" sort of browser list of slices I didn't get to read that I wanted to. I have a section in my Notes App for how to use ideas from some of the slices I have read in my classroom. I do not have a plan curated for next year, but I hope I might spend some time on Tuesdays continuing to write.

I know that community is what you put in, and truth be told, my contributions in comments were not much. I always felt that a post either resonated with me or it didn't, but I did not spend a lot of time stretching to see the why of that resonation. When I looked at the glimpses of everyone's worlds, I did not spend the time to deconstruct for author's choices or "moves" you may have made. That will be my goal for next year: to intentionally read to learn.

As many of us have already shared, I want to thank this community and the organizers for helping me to stretch and feel comfortable sharing experiences. The "anonymity" of being behind a screen, only words/pictures on a page, even with those that see me in real life, has allowed me to open up more than I naturally would. As a teacher, I have been inspired. As a writer, I have learned new ways to engage with the world around me. As a person, I have become more comfortable in my ever-changing skin..

See you Tuesdays and Thanks for the Memories :)

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