Round and Round a Writing Community Goes and Where It Stops, Well, Actually It Doesn't

About a month ago, I had a chat with two fellow writers, Nitasha and Nancy, that I worked with, in Mumbai, India, six years ago. While teaching there, we were members of the same writing group. This conversation sparked memories of our groups' prompts, fellow writers' pieces, and, most importantly, the community that was grown from this shared experience. During our conversation, Nitasha invited us to join her in this year's Two Writing Teachers' SOL challenge.

Instantly I signed up. No reflection. No wondering if I could have the stamina to write for 31 days. No doubts. There was a reason for my instantaneous sign-up. At the time, I was unaware, but a silent signal flashed in the frontal lobe of my brain. I was desperately craving to write with a community.

Thirty-one days later, I've realized that the writing community Nancy started six years ago has created a cycle of sorts. Now bear with me.

1. The group that Nancy originally formed and led was passed onto Nitasha and me.

2. When we left our school, I assumed the writing group ended, but like all cycles, it didn't. Two of our colleagues took the reigns and continue to facilitate the group.

3. Surprisingly, six years later, plus or minus a few months, Nitasha reached out and invited me here.

Our "old" writing group never really ended. It was just the beginning. At times our members, myself included, hibernated, but like bears, we seem to possess chemical reactions within our brains that deploy a silent signal that it's time to write again. I emerged from my writing den to share in this year's SOL writing challenge, all thanks to my original writing group, which began 8,000 miles and six years away from here.

Thanks to all the slicers who joined this year's challenge, which, as many of you have stated along the way, has been more of a challenge than usual. Your commitment and encouragement are appreciated and have inspired me.

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers team for building this community and encouraging us to write and share.

Thanks to my Welcome Wagon driver, cheerleader, and nudger, Glenda, whose big change in her plans swerved her into this role and seat, and I'll be ever grateful for her expertise.

And finally, thanks to Nitasha for this invitation.

Looking forward to SOL21. Stay well and safe.

My Mom Has a New Hobby...A Social Distancing Puppet Show

The last time my mom physically spent time with her grandsons was March 18th. We, as so many families, have been practicing social distancing since then. What used to be a quick 20-minute drive down country roads has now morphed into 12 days apart. That's 17,280 minutes without physical contact. Without seeing smiles up close. Without hearing their giggles in person or being told she's not dancing to "Thunder" by Imagine Dragons correctly.

It's been challenging for my mom to be away from them. She babysat them both as babies. She played and cuddled and tickled them at least once a week. Now it's all virtual. It feels different to her.

About a week ago, my older nephew asked her to come over to his house to play. His face crumpled when she said she couldn't and he walked away, visibly upset, from my sister's phone. 

After we hung up from "Facing" him (his verb for FaceTime), she said obstinately, "I don't like this one bit," as she crossed her arms over her chest.

As a means to close this gap in her heart and share some joy, she had an idea. An alligator puppet from the basement combined with an old breadbox that was ripped away from the counter when my parents remodeled their kitchen and a red blanket provided all the tools she needed to get started.

Introducing Al the alligator!

Every couple of days my mom films a new episode to send to her grandsons. I'm her cinematographer and producer. My dad made his debut appearance as an actor in episode two, where Al got a little too close and bit him. In the episode I'm sharing with you today, Al plays the kazoo. Why? Because her older grandson loves music and loves watching marching bands in parades. She also chose to play a song he sang in the background yesterday as we "Faced" their family.

She's not the only grandparent finding new ways to connect. She's not the only person using this time to be creative. She's just one of the many of us finding new ways to bring joy to our loved ones, but I can tell you, her imagination, creativity, and commitment, have all impressed me. 

Learning Lines: Taking a Line Sketching Class

My first line sketch.

Learning lines.

My teacher said,
"Not too straight.
Lean into the wiggle.
Make an approximation.
This imperfection in your lines gives your piece more character."

I'm taking a free online line sketching course with my mom. 
This class has given me a physical reminder to let go. 
To let go of control, which for me on a good day, is hard, 
and some moments
can be even more challenging. 

The wiggles and approximations feel just right today. It's a good day. 

An Hour with Rupi Kaur

In this season of uncertainty, so many people are sharing their talents with others to provide support. This afternoon, I participated in the poet Rupi Kaur's hour-long writing workshop on Instagram. I was introduced to Rupi's book, the sun and her flowers by a friend. At that time, Rupi's poetry pulled me through a breakup.

Rupi began our session with a quote by author, Flannery O'Connor, who said: "I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say."Instantaneously I was pulled further into the workshop because I connected to O'Connor. Most of the time, I'm able to express myself more easily and honestly when I've put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

Working through the three writing prompts, Rupi guided us, nudged, supported, and then cheered as some authors shared their work.

She led us through an exercise in how she creates her spoken word poems. I've decided to share the first draft of my spoken word poem that I wrote during her workshop. The green writing is Rupi's coaching and words, while the gold writing is my poem.

This is a poem I'll go back to revise sometime soon. I've got decisions to make but like the snake idea that I've got going so far. Rupi told us her spoken word poems can take a week or months. She reminded us that sometimes letting things ferment; we can grow more.

At one point, I paused my writing because I looked up from my notebook and noticed that over 9,000 people had joined her live session. What a powerful moment. All the 9,000 participants, sharing this experience of writing together. I wonder what it sounded like in heaven.

Rupi's Instagram story, aka her Live poetry workshop, is available for the next 24 hours on her Instagram so you can enjoy it too. 

Just a little warning that her final prompt would not be appropriate for all ages. 

Books Make Hearts Happy: A Poem

Flipping your fingers
over each page
I'd touched
you said,
"Getting this book
made my heart happy.
I love you, Aunt Meg." 

The joy it brought you,
and your grin,
caused my heart
to radiate a glow
that drew my lips
into a smile.

I'm so glad you liked your book Eddie.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Online Grocery Ordering Win! A Poem

Ordering groceries
so far in advance is
new to my parents.
This shifted practice
is yet to become
a routine.

We plan meals
a week at a time,
trying to keep them,
Bernie,
and
Maureen,
out of stores
as
much
as
possible.

When we click our final submission,
they wonder,
"Will we get what we need?"
They're learning,
as I am too,
what we really need
to keep our fridge
and pantry stocked.

Our fingers crossed as
we drove to the store
this morning.
The car, quiet.

Upon arrival,
we dialed the number
and gave our family name.

A man, in his 20s,
pushed a cart
toward our car trunk.
We opened it.
He placed bags inside
and closed it.

We drove home,
put on gloves, and
brought the three bags inside.

Success!
Only a few items missing,
and as my dad said,
"We've got more than
enough right now."

Snail Mail Love Through Making Books

I'm an auntie. I have two nephews. One is two. The other is four. So many of us are finding new ways to connect with our loved ones. Yesterday, I received a note in the mail from my older nephew, Eddie. I decided to show him some snail mail love today by making him a book.

Why did I choose to make books?

I had the privilege to work with Matt Glover, author and consultant several times when I worked in Mumbai, India, at the American School of Bombay. Matt provides some of the best in-school professional development I've ever participated in, especially for teachers of young writers! I learned so many things from Matt, but I loved being immersed in was the importance of young writers making books. In this video, Matt recently created as a parent resource (but I think it is useful for educators too); he shares the principles of why making books is so valuable. 

My slice today is the two little books I made for my nephews. I tried to like Matt does, choose everyday topics, so they know not all books have to have big ideas, just the process of writing is what it's about!

Please note, I'm modeling approximated drawings and writing too. Be kind!

I realized I forgot to put Eddie in the first position (words don't match the text) hence the addition of the numerals.

Here's Oliver's book.

Thanks, Matt. You've made it possible for me to share my passion for writing not only with the students and teachers I support but, even more importantly, with my nephews.