I reached in attempting to remove the bundle of lint gathered in the tight crevice below the lint screen holder. Although this wasn’t on my agenda, I just couldn’t turn a blind eye and walk away. The dryer’s lint screen was designed to be cleaned between loads of laundry, but even if you follow that…… Continue reading Lint Screen Lesson and Choosing Healing
A new year is ripe with fresh possibilities. Clean slates are synonymous with blank canvas beginnings. Turning the page, moving forward, reaching for new heights is often the theme of a new start, and the prospect of being different is rich with anticipation. The opportunity for something new seems to be welcomed this year like…… Continue reading Happy New Year: Lessons from 2020
We have witnessed our fair share of hoarding during quarantine. It started with toilet paper and hand sanitizer, but it did not take long for canned goods and meat to be added to the list of “hard to find” items. The nation responded with a mix of irritation and justification. If you had the sacred…… Continue reading Quarantine Chronicles 8.0 [Hoarding]
As an English teacher, the idea of narratives is ever on my mind and infused into conversations. It’s easy to discuss and analyze a dynamic character; what motivates the character to action, what lie does the character believe, and what is the catalyst for their ultimate change? I think we instinctively do that in life.…… Continue reading Turning Kindness Inward: A Personal Narrative
Moment of Truth Monday: I am the student who sometimes requires a do-over. As much as I long to learn concepts the first time, certain lessons just don’t stick. While I used to begrudge my “slow” learning style, I’ve come to appreciate that some lessons are worth repeating. I originally wrote a version of this…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday: April Edition
She shifted direction and headed straight for the flowerbed–instead of the car. Observing her movements, curious about the sudden pull toward the plants, I was alarmed to see her bend down and break the stem of a plant in my humble [little] garden. The sound of my panicked voice filled the space between us as…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday: February Edition
*Note to readers: I was chomping at the bit to hit publish on this post. I miss sharing these weekly, but I’m glad we find ourselves sitting at the table together today. If this post encourages you in any way, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend. I’m crazy about you,…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
We walked to school every day. That was the perk of living 3 blocks away and having older sisters. We loved walking with our neighbor friends and chattering as young girls would. One day, everything changed. Fear entered the routine and threatened our innocence. Both the driver and the car were unfamiliar. Living in a…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
Staring out the window, more than 10,000 feet above ground, my mind rehearsed the memories of the weekend. From the familiarity of the swim/dive meet to the snowflakes that surprised me, the details of the visit delighted my senses. While I love the familiar, I do crave a sprinkle of surprise in the mix of…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
She stood in front of me fumbling through each screen. My silent frustration grew with every failed attempt. I just wanted to sign in, get my labs drawn, and get on with the rest of my day. This slowdown was unwelcome. Though the slowdown of an interruption is typically inconvenient, it’s often fertile learning ground.…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
Alyssa DeLosSantos 