I wasn't going to slice this year. Life has been a bit much-- hybrid teaching with kids remote and kids in person half day, and coaching teachers the other half day, taking Spanish classes two nights a week so that I can be more effective at my job, parenting two semi-adult/adult sons who are struggling mightily, being the daughter to an 87-year-old mom who had a major health crisis in February, training a service dog puppy-- it just seemed like plenty. And so I decided I wasn't going to slice this year.
As recently as yesterday, when I read several people's Facebook posts and tweets about getting ready to slice, I wasn't going to slice. Last night, when I went to bed, I wasn't going to slice. This morning, when I woke up, I wasn't going to slice. I really wasn't. I just don't have time or energy to spin one more plate this year.
Then, somehow, this morning, when I was having my coffee, I wandered over to TWO WRITING TEACHERS. Just to check out some of the slices. Over fifty people had already posted. I recognized some names, but there were lots of newcomers too. I remembered how much I loved reading other people's slices. Following old friends. Making new friends. Getting wrapped up in some people's stories and following their blogs for the entire month. Dipping into other people's stories just one or two times. Marveling at people's creativity and craftsmanship. Trying to steal some of their moves to up my own game.
And then I went back and read a few of my slices, ok, actually most of my slices, from last year. And then a few from previous years. I've been slicing for almost ten years, so I had a lot to choose from. In 2011, when I started slicing, I was administrative assistant at an inner city school, parenting two high school sons, and chasing my two Houdini Labs around the neighborhood. There were lots of single parent posts, and posts about disciplining kids at school (I wasn't very good at it because I always laughed). Rereading some of them, I still laugh.
And now, in 2021, much has changed, but much has stayed the same. I'm still teaching, one of the last of my friends, I think, that hasn't retired, but I still really, really love the kids; and I don't want to retire. I'm still doing the single parenting thing, and my sons, who I adopted at 7 and 9, are now 25 and 27, and still struggling to launch. I'm still the mom of two dogs-- but Ramsey, and Maggie, and Jack, and most recently Star have all crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and now there's Rooney, the two-year-old yellow lab that's only kind of mine, and Galaxy, the German Shepherd mix puppy I adopted in November. And there are still stories about trying to figure out my relationships with my mom and sisters...
I wasn't going to slice, but somehow I couldn't imagine not sharing stories. Not being a part of the slicing community.
And so I clicked on the link to fill out the participation form. Here we go again...
10 comments:
I am so glad you decided to slice. This is my first year and I am so inspired by all of the writers who have done this year after year. It sounds like you have so many stories to share, and I can't wait to follow your journey as a seasoned participant. Thank you for your honesty with the inner turmoil with participating - that helps me, as I did the same. Thank you for your honesty, I look forward to reading your posts.
I'm glad you sliced too. I tried to slice last year. And by tried, I mean that I thought about it but never wrote a thing. This year I need to and it helps to hear that even someone who's sliced before still finds it hard to get started. I'm glad you did.
I wasn't either, missed 2019 and 2020, but saw the notice by sheer chance, wandered over and registered on a spur of the moment whim. I'm still not sure why -- maybe subconscious knew it what I needed.
Reading old slices is an odd experience. You see yourself changing and at the same time you still find a reflection of who you are and have always been and a glimpse of who you could be. The last minute choice to participate is a tug of heart. May you find joy and peace in slicing during the busyness of your life.
Hurray! So much has changed. I am ecstatic that you are once again sharing your thinking!
So, so glad you're here again. I've missed you. I read the Galaxy post too. He looks so mischievous!
It wouldn’t be the same without you, Carol. That said, take care of yourself. You don’t need me to tell you, you’ve got a lot on your plate! I skipped day two, so now the pressure’s off. I love the March SOL, so I’ll still post. But I couldn’t do every day this year.
I’ve loved your writing for decades and look forward to every post. Just think, if you ever do retire? So much more time for writing!
Your piece resonated with me so much. I wasn't going to slice this year either. I have been trying to clear out obligations, find more space. As of Sunday night, I was not slicing. But right before I went to bed, I signed up. I just couldn't imagine not spending the month with my writing friends! So glad you're here!
I know - thanks for posting. When I first came to the first page, there were over 215 slicers. I've never sliced before now, so thanks for the inspiration.
I wasn't planning on slicing either. I just wasn't sure how I could find the energy to do it. Then a friend mentioned how she looks forward to March and reading my daily slices. I didn't want to disappoint her, but more importantly I didn't want to disappoint myself. Best wishes for another successful month of slicing!
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