Today concludes the thirty-one-day Slice of Life Story Challenge with Two Writing Teachers. Today I cross the finish line with many fellow Slicers, having written a post each day.
But the writing doesn’t end here.
Nor does the challenge …
That’s the thing. Now, more than ever before in our lives, is a time to write.
The photo above is of a pocket notebook a friend and mentor gave as a parting gift to all who attended her retirement celebration years ago. Her love of writing and advocacy for teachers as writers inspires me to this day. She also passed the torch of facilitating district writing workshop training to me … until this year, when it is no longer offered. But I carry the notebook with me everywhere I go, just to remind me …
Teachers, students, families, friends, citizens of the world, all … today I offer the same to you, in the ongoing composition of life: Write bravely.
*******
write your stories
share your glories
write bravely
write for healing
name the feeling
write bravely
write all your rages
fill all your pages
write bravely
write through your tears
conquer your fears
write bravely
write of the past
save it at last
write bravely
write of your sorrows
and your tomorrows
write bravely
write them for you
and for me, too
write bravely
write bravely
write bravely
lit bits and pieces 
>write bravely<
We can write the truth, we can speak the truth, we can live the truth. Thank you for this reminder that writing centers us and makes us whole.
I hope you and your family are healthy and safe. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this slice today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Writing is a tool for all seasons, a saving grace, a means of recording what matters, of safekeeping, of moving forward. It does center us. Thank you, Darin, for your words and well-wishes — health and safety to you and all yours also. Keep writing your truths. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The bravery. The sharing. It is what makes March different, special for us. Especially this time. Tears, fears, glories all saved in our stories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, and above all I would encourage others – kids, adults – to write during these long days of uncertainty. Neuroscience shows that “naming your feeling” makes the emotion less intense. In the words of Brene Brown: “If you don’t name your feeling, it will eat you alive.” Keep writing and rising above, Diane. 🙂
LikeLike
Write bravely, that’s what this challenge helps me to do. I love the encouragement in your poem. It is so easy for me to fall into the routine of NOT writing. You are so right that now more than ever is a time to write. Though I joined the challenge midway this year, I am glad I did. My slices are my journal of my own personal journey through this time. I was sad to read you are no longer leading writing workshop training. Be well. I always enjoy your slices.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad you joined midyear – your plunging in exemplifies writing bravely! That’s an important point, the slices being a journey of your personal journey during these days. They are your history and a history of the times. Yes … I’ve been deeply mourning the loss of writing workshop trainings in my district, as it’s moved in a different direction with how to teach writing. As humans we are hard-wired with a need to express ourselves and writing – real, from-the-depths-of-the-heart-and-mind-writing – is the perfect venue for that. It is a way we come to know who we are and what we believe, and to do so coherently. It is the greatest of restorative practices. Thank you so much for these words and your gracious spirit – keep writing and sharing it. Safety and wellness to you also. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Write of the past/ save it at last” was definitely a theme in your writing this month. Maybe because our time in direct contact with our students has been so limited…This month, you have inspired me with your words yet again, Fran. And to think we were both contemplating skipping this year! It just goes to how you how important showing up and writing the words truly is. I don’t know what next year’s March may hold (hopefully nothing so life-altering), but I will remember the importance of creating these time capsules each year. No matter what, the next year will be influenced by what is happening now, what will continue to happen. It will be interesting to look back on what we’ve written and compare it to current times when they come. Hope to see you every Tuesday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Words cannot express how glad I am not to have skipped the challenge this year, Chris! That’s true, about creating these time capsules – slices of our lives and our times. Thank you always for your thoughts and words, know that you are always a wellspring of encouragement and inspiration, and see you next week. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Write bravely. A lovely mantra. You make me feel like I can and like I should. Your words and ability to share stories is inspiring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re always an inspiration, too, Jess – a welcome ray of light, continually shining, no matter what. Thank you for the gift of your words.
LikeLike
Write bravely – indeed! Your writing often serves as an example of bravery – and contemplation, love, memory, and more. Thank you for this inspiration and for your words. See you on Tuesdays.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amanda, to me you always write bravely (and so hilariously). Your words are always a gift. See you on Tuesdays ❤
LikeLike
Yes, write bravely..now more than ever. Thank you for your beautiful, elegant writing, which uplifts me. I look forward to reading your Tuesday slices.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am looking forward to Tuesday as well and will be happy to “see” you! Thank you for all the encouragement YOU have given here and on your site. Here’s to writing bravely on.
LikeLike
Seeing that notebook, very cool. Reading the lively poem it inspired, even cooler. Those short lines pack forceful punches! They _insist_ we write bravely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The little notebook basically called to me and said, “Ahem. Now’s the time …” Thank you for your words. I’m grateful if you found power in any lines. Safety and wellness to you, Brian, as you and life write on. 🙂
LikeLike
Congratulations as you “cross the finish line with many fellow Slicers.” The background you offer and the repetition of “write bravely,” combined with the rhyme in your poem makes for very strong words of the wiser. Wishing you time to explore your thoughts through writing as you’ve so eloquently tasked us to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks. Write all your tomorrows well.
LikeLike
Fran, your writing has been lovely example of writing bravely. I sense a little Brene Brown in this post and can’t help but think of something Natalie Goldberg said: Writers live their lives twice. Thank you for being here and for hanging out w/ me, too.
—Glenda
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glenda, you’ve been one of the great joys of this challenge. The line “name the feeling” comes from Brene Brown: “If you don’t name the feeling, it will eat you alive.” Neuroscience says doing so lessens the intensity of the feeling … all the more need to write bravely. I love Goldberg, too: “Be ‘writing down the bones,’ the essential, awake speech of [your] minds.” I’ve loved every moment of hanging out with you, Glenda. Hope to do so again next week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Write bravely” is definitely a message to carry on past this month and this moment. I look forward to reading your writing , per your words-
“But the writing doesn’t end here.
Nor does the challenge …
That’s the thing. Now, more than ever before in our lives, is a time to write.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
We have more to say and share and a need to write more than ever … looking forward to reading more of your writing as well!
LikeLike
This has been such a great month of writing, and your beautiful poem is a great closing. I love the repetition of ‘write bravely,’ interspersed with the couplings of rhymes. It has a fabulous rhythm. Congrats on a month of slicing! See you Tuesdays!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank, you Maureen – so glad you enjoyed the poem. It HAS been a great month of writing … here’s to Tuesdays and writing on. Bravely. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Fran,
I have not only enjoyed reading your stories this month but also learned a lot from your writing. Your students are so lucky to have you as their teacher. I tried to write bravely as I started to blog and joined this community for the first time. I will even more bravely keep writing and sharing! Thank you for showing your great model as a writer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you write most bravely, Mari! Thank you for such gracious words. I appreciate them so much. It’s been a joy slicing alongside you and I hope you’ll join the SOL Tuesdays as one way to keep sharing. Congratulations again on your fabulous beginning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How lovely to come here and read your encouraging words to write bravely. This year has been a special slicing year. We’ve shared our hearts and fears and our sorrows and tears. I’m saddened to hear that your district is no longer using you to facilitate writing workshop training. And I wish I could have been one of your students. Your words are a gift to our community. Thanks for writing all year long.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for all your uplifting words, Ramona. I hope the district will go back to advocating for the workshop model. This challenge is testimony as to why! First individual strength and support, then community, are the outcomes. I am grateful for you and your writing – see you soon!
LikeLike
“write through your tears”
This year I wrote through so many tears. This year I was more reflective than ever & I can’t explain it. Perhaps I was drawing on something that was stable to counteract the uncertainty around me. Congratulations on completing another year! I’m so glad I found your writings four years ago. I’ve drawn so much strength and inspiration from you over the years. Stay healthy and safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are an inspiration yourself, Anna Maria, with the beautiful and real things you pour from the heart. Mam and Pap B would be inordinately proud of who you are. I can imagine them asking, “What did you write about today?” That’s what grandparents do, take an intense interest in what interests their grandchildren. Congratulations to you as well – and thank you so much for the gift of your words and your heart. Be safe and well, too.
LikeLike
What a beautiful slice to end this month! I love your notebook and the way you make writing so contagious for everyone around you.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Sarah! I am always grateful for your thoughts. I remain amazed by all that you accomplish in your busy but loving life, when I read your posts. 😊
LikeLike
Sigh.
It’s the repetition at the end that gets me. Write bravely, write bravely, write bravely.
Write bravely, speak bravely, love bravely, live bravely…
Thank you for being such a wonderful mentor and friend over the coming weeks. I look forward to reading more of your work! =)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I mean…over the PAST weeks. I’ll read your writing over the COMING weeks. (palm to forehead)
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣🤗
LikeLike
Thank you, Lainie – I love how you added speak, love, and live to bravely … all true. You’re a joy! I look forward to more of your work as well.
LikeLike