Small Wins

The Monday after February vacation, we gathered in a teammate’s room for a curriculum meeting with our literacy specialist. She began by sharing a slide that read “Million Dollar Question: Are my efforts resulting in anything that matters?” I think everyone in the room probably had the same initial reaction…it doesn’t feel like it. Nonetheless,

Home

Home is Pheasant Hill Lane A white house with blue shutters It’s the love inside that matters Mom, dad and their “space shuttle girl” A little brother to adore Land Before Time marathons and popcorn kernels jumping in the kitchen Glow-in-the-dark stars that wish me sweet dreams from my bedroom ceiling Home is Pheasant Hill

The Phone Call

Rewind four months. School – my safe place. Math – a challenge. I float about the room. “You got it!” “Tell me about how. . .” “Let’s try this one again.” A persistent buzz on my wrist — one I’d usually ignore. Who keeps calling me? A glance. A skipped heartbeat. Quick steps to my

Quintessence

I pulled Jess Redman’s Quintessence from my bookshelf on Christmas Eve, and this book turned out to be everything my heart needed during winter break. It is a brilliantly crafted magical quest– one that reveals truths about anxiety and emphasizes the importance of friendship and self-discovery. Alma is an unforgettable character, and her Alma-ness might

Laughter

Tonight, I laughed. I laughed with my mouth wide open as heat reached my cheeks and my belly started to ache. I laughed in good company, and I noticed my laughter. It was particularly noticeable because I was captured on camera. I witnessed my own joy, and I wish I could have caught it in

A Festive Reflection

Over the weekend, I took a virtual flower arrangement class through Alice’s Table. Friday evening, beautiful blooms and a surprisingly small vase arrived in a box on my doorstep. There were hydrangeas, red roses, gunni eucalyptus, cedar branches, dusty miller leaves, and hypericum berries. Don’t let me fool you. I did not know all of

Siblings Are Childhood Loves

Sibling: noun. each of two or more children or offspring having one or both parents in common; a brother or sister. Michael was a childhood love. He was bright blue eyes and an infectious laugh. He was a gentle hug and plenty of mischief. Michael was a childhood love. He was a game of lava

SOS Magic: What Stifles You?

My steps are padded by the pine needles beneath my feet. I simply trust that Sam knows where he is taking me. He shares his story about the time he once spent in this place. I imagine how we are absorbing the scene much differently. My eyes climb the sight of ivy trailing up the

My Summer in Lists

Today, I was reminded to be gentle with myself as a writer. My eyes discovered this invitation to create lists at just the right moment– a moment that followed days of anxiety around school reopening plans and an afternoon of writer’s block. The Sunday of Summer is still upon me. June and July brought simple