I'll wait for the applause to end.
I didn't think I'd actually write a Slice this week. The challenge just ended. I'm trying to rebalance, get items on my to do list checked off, etc. But then, I took a picture on my phone. And another. And another.
There was a time, not so long ago, that I had a film camera. I loved photography. I loved trying to figure out how to take good photos. I brought Luke home from the hospital and took rolls of film, hoping for a few that were decent to document this new love of my life.
Shortly after Luke was born, we switched to digital. I could take less photos, knowing if I had the shot I wanted, but I ended up taking even more. Photos helped me document our lives.
Flash forward to my phone. It is near me at all times. When I see something I want to capture and keep, I pull it out and snap a shot. Here are a few moments that captured my heart this week:
Rosie looking off in despair. Our new puppy - Leia - got up on the couch on her own. Rosie's safety zone was gone.
Coming home from school and finding Liam curled up on the couch reading HP #3. When I commented to him that I loved the book, Luke piped up from the basement that I was right, Andrew Smith's Winger was excellent. I love that my boys are readers.
Getting a text from Luke before school that he had caught a stray dog in our yard and I needed to find the owner. (Thanks to Facebook, I did in five minutes.) I love that his heart is so big for animals that he runs out of our house to make sure one is ok.
While Chris had a lot he needed to do, seeing him play basketball with Liam (and/or Luke) makes my heart smile.
Looking up from a reading conference and seeing three seventh grade boys, draped across each other on the couch, sharing a picture book, is simply the best.
Finally, I love seeing students apply offhand comments to their work. I once shared that I like to tape things in my journal, to write off of them. We do quick writes outside on Mondays. This day a student snagged some dandelions to inspire her.
I'm grateful to the camera on my phone. I don't even think about taking photos much anymore, it is instinct. But then, when I look at the camera roll, I can see what I loved, what moments I wanted to capture, and I'm filled with joy.
Slice of Life is a challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers
