Slice of life is sponsored by Stacey and Ruth from Two Writing Teachers
After school on Monday my boys met me in my classroom. I raced around the room straightening up my desk, and then we hurried out the door. After a short drive home we unpacked backpacks, settled into homework routines. I listened to stories being read, signed reading logs, proofread reading response letters, discussed an LLI story, packed myself for grad school, and ran out the door when my husband pulled into the driveway.
Our lives are like anyone’s with young children, or likely even children in general, insanely busy. As I drove to grad school I had a chance to reflect. My drive to school is thirty minutes long – through miles and miles of cornfields. Sometimes I think I get so caught up in the day to day that I forget to relax and appreciate my life. A long drive was just the thing that I needed to allow me to gain some perspective.
As the fields blurred past my window, I began to count my blessings. My husband is amazing. He absolutely supports me, understands that teaching is more than a job to me. And he adores our sons. Speaking of my sons, wow. Who knew how awesome parenthood was? And although I love babies, being a mom has been better with every year. I love going out to lunch with them, talking about their day, discussing what they are reading. And my blessings go on and on. My family, friends, my job, healthy lives, a home, etc.
In this season of giving I am grateful for what I have already been given. I am grateful for the reminder that I get once in awhile that I need to slow down. Finally, I am also grateful for a professor who lets us out of class thirty minutes early- just enough time to race home and put two wonderful little guys to bed.
Perfect. Your final paragraph...wow. I'm glad you sliced today. It reminds me to slow down too. :)
ReplyDeleteRuth
You got tears out of me. Thanks for the reminder to count blessings.
ReplyDeleteSometimes that time alone in the car with your thoughts is just what you need. You are indeed blessed in your life. Thanks for sharing a piece with us.
ReplyDeleteRuth - thanks so much! It's hard to remember to slow down in December, everything in me is saying, "Go,go, go!" :)
ReplyDeleteAw, Crystal, thanks for the comment! Counting blessings is important indeed.
ReplyDeleteKatherine
Mike, you are so right. Sometimes the car is the perfect spot to reflect. Thanks for the comment!
ReplyDeleteKatherine
I am in awe of all you're doing, too. It's a lovely reflection of your life and ensuring that you really do know that you have a great life, although 'insanely busy'. In our busy days, it's so hard to take that little bit of time. Nice that you had that 30 minutes. And, love the photo.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda! It's one step at a time most days. But I try and remind myself how blessed I am to have all of this "stuff" that makes me busy. And the photo was on the drive but color amped up with an iPhoto app. :)
ReplyDeleteI miss my long drive to work/school now that I live only five minutes away. Now, I try to take my quiet time on the treadmill. This is a lovely reminder to focus on all the good in our lives!
ReplyDeleteChristy - my daily commute is about 5 mins too. On snowy days I am thrilled with it. However I do love the downtime to reflect while driving. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how we can rush through the day, the week, the month, or even the YEAR (how can it already be Dec.??) and it takes one moment to put us back on track. To be so thankful for those special people who love us no matter what. We give and we give and we give, but you were given the gift of time to think. I'm sure you will have many more moments to share in future slices after taking that drive to school. Looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteYou know what - the thing I've noticed the most about beginning blogging is that I am aware of everyday moments more. What a gift that is. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLike Linda, I am in awe of all you accomplish in your day...that you realize how important it is to slow down and appreciate all you have is so awesome, too.
ReplyDeleteTara, thanks so much. Honestly, grad school was way more to take on then I intended. And three classes this semester while working full time was insane. But I am one week away from being done with the semester and two classes next semester, then graduation. The end is in sight - which makes it all doable. I absolutely appreciate that and everything else.
ReplyDeleteA drive that isn't constantly punctuated by heavy traffic, break lights, traffic lights, etc. Great perspective to appreciate the time, reflect, and be thankful.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had taken more time to reflect when my kids were small. Although I may have but I just don't remember. Things are so whirlwind when your kids are little and grad school on top of everyting--crazy indeed! I have to tell you that I love your threaded comments. Do you use Discus and if so, I'd love to hear your opinion and thinking about it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment! I'm from central IL but it wasn't until I moved to Chicago for a few years and experienced traffic there that I appreciated the drive. Moving back, I am grateful for a much slower- paced lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteDiana- I agree. When we had our boys people always told us to take thing slowly, write down what they said, etc. I don't know about everyone else with toddlers but we were on survival mode. It's only now I have the chance to do that.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I use Disqus. My friend is a web designer, he recommended it. I wanted threaded comments on blogger and this was the only way to get it. I really enjoy it so far. Haven't explored all that they offer, yet.