Positivity x 3

 

Started the day in a coffee shop with a perfectly crafted iced latte with a pump of vanilla and a savory scone (cheese & black pepper). After a few quiet sips and some breathing, then getting out an urgent email response, I had a terrific meeting with two dads starting a dads group and leaning into what it means to organize. What is "terrific"? Their energy for relationships; the sharing of personal stories; new connections made; laughter; seeing one dad wearing a Bluey pin and the other wearing an "I stand with immigrants" T shirt; book ideas exchanged; recognizing a few mutual friends; a commitment to sharing more. The boost of leaving a first meeting and feeling like there is goodness in the world.

Here is N, one of the students in the preschool classroom where I volunteer. She's a super-active learner, likes to find the edge of acceptable and safe behavior and hang out there, seeing if anyone will call her back to the rug, invite her to come re-join the circle. It's been a tough few weeks, as the head teacher is out on FMLA and the (amazing, dedicated) assistant teacher is managing the class with a revolving door of subs. I'm trying to come in more often, and today, we were able to break into groups of 2-3 kids and figure out how to run our Hotwheel cards over all sorts of unique surfaces. N really relished getting to be BUSY instead of having to wait a turn, watch someone else, sit still. It was lovely seeing her energy for trying-trying-trying again, and to get to fill her up with praise. Oh, how I believe every child deserves high quality early learning in a classroom with patient and energetic adults.

Writing today from the library, where I snuck in before an appointment (that got cancelled - argh!) to get another hour of work done and Slice. My eyes glanced up from my laptop to see this book. My friend had Emily pointed it out to me at a new independent bookstore this weekend, telling me Chanel Miller is someone to read (her important memoir Know My Name is now on my Libby holds list). Today, I had the chance to read the first 20 pages of The Moon Without Stars and I'm hooked. Go ahead and judge this book by its cover: a main character navigating all the things - culture, growing up, friendships. I can't wait to wrap-up my day so I can return to it, snuggled up in bed with hot cinnamon tea. Thank you, Chanel Miller, for finding your voice when others tried to silence you in the most violent of ways. I'm glad you're here. (PS: The author's note in this book should be read by EVERY PERSON who works with middle schoolers.)

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I feel the overwhelm of these days, like I'm a minute away from screaming or sobbing, cursing or kicking or curling into a ball. So using these Slicing Tuesdays to find joy is, well, joyful. Thank you to Ross Gay for writing about glimmers, and Maggie Smith for writing about beauty emergencies, and Greater Good Science Center for championing gratitude.