Thank you to Stacey, Betsy, Dana, Tara, Beth, Anna, Kathleen & Deb for this amazing platform to write and share writing! What a wonderful community you've created! I'm honored to be part of it. Join us at Two Writing Teachers.
We are in the middle of teacher workdays. Monday I presented and facilitated for most of the day. This morning I am meeting my sixth graders for the first time at orientation. With a spinning head, I am here. Here is where I stop, breathe, think. Knowing you will forgive me for the simple post today, I showed up...and today I want to write a list...a gratitude list. In no particular order, I'm grateful for: my mom, my sister, Jack and Jillian, my whole wonderful family, Bella, my home, friends who love me, notebooks, a job I adore, writing, the look on a face when a student finally "gets it", Dairy Queen, good books, Netflix, quiet after a long day, my writing group, funky reading glasses, peppermint, a smile, thoughtful gifts, cards in the mail, hearing just the right song at just the right time, fancy pens, bookstores, long drives, hugs, meeting new students, pillows, Anne Shirley, warm blankets, kindness, pool time, sound and smell of the ocean, early mornings, afternoon of shopping, giggling, poetry, slam poetry, Youtube videos, DubSmash, the moment before you fall asleep, YOU MATTER, gerber daisies, noise-canceling headphones, The Princess Bride, retreats, beginnings, doodling, showing grace, deep breaths, creativity, the sky after a rainstorm, chocolate cake, the smell of dog's paws (like Fritos), surprises...
Wishing you days filled with people and things for which you are grateful. Please share what makes you grateful in the comments! I'd love to hear about it!
Since it's the beginning of the school year, here is one of my favorite poetry slammers, Taylor Mali, to inspire you...
A get a feeling of energy from your post. I think your gratitude list is responsible for that energy.
ReplyDeleteBeginning the beginning of school, before the kids get there is a crazy, high energy time! So much good in your world. Good attracts good I think! I love Taylor Mali too. And, I'm grateful for you showing up today! Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you on your first day. You and your students are about to embark on an incredible journey this year - together. Enjoy them and the ride!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen that Taylor Mali video before & got a little weepy. I am grateful for a whole host of things, too, but right now, I am grateful to be 50 and know that it is OK to get weepy at Taylor Mali videos, good books, cool summer mornings and hot tea.
ReplyDeleteI love that you created a list of gratitude as you entered a busy and important time. Today, I also wrote about gratitude, as a tool to feed the voice of positivity in the face of overwhelm. I also love Taylor Mali's video. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove the lists, Michelle and this quote from Taylor Mali: "Sleep wanders the hallways as lower school music."
ReplyDeleteAll those things important, the sights and smells and feelings of your life are like hugs, keeping us going, Michelle. Love the list. What thing I am most grateful for: people--family & friends, both here & online. Have a marvelous time with those lovely sixth graders, on the cusp of young adulthood!
ReplyDeleteTaylor Mali is a gem. I haven't seen this so I'm glad you shared it.
ReplyDeleteHere's to a wonderful year -- for you and your sixth graders!
I think you forgot dog kisses and dark chocolate, but otherwise your list is pretty complete. I'm also grateful for YOU!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting that Taylor Mali poem. I've seen that one before but it's been a while so I needed to see that today. I am so excited that he is going to be at NCTE this year.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for all the things that went wrong today that got resolved quickly! God was in the business of guiding after all! And, yes, Taylor Mali inspires me every time. Thank you for that reminder tonight!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I want to express MY GRATITUDE TO YOU for doing such an amazing blog workshop this summer. Many teachers in our department have seen what the two of us who attended have done and they're asking us to help them out. It's a little daunting, since I'm still getting my feet wet too, but it all started with you! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt's so important to remember to be grateful. There are really so many, many things to be grateful for. Hope your school year is a great one!
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