Twelve teachers who have known each other for about twenty years weathered yesterday’s crazy storm difficulties and came for lunch. These friendships began during that magical time in the late 1980’s and early ‘90’s when teachers were free to bring what they knew about early literacy to their classrooms. It was a time before MCAS and before standardized testing directed curriculum; a time when play was honored in kindergarten and when recess was long enough for a kickball game to get going; a time when literacy skills were taught with big books and by teachers and kids reading, reading, reading book, after book, after book.
These teacher friends are retired now but leading active lives. Well, everyone but me, who is consciously trying to lead a rather inactive, or should I say, simple life. Anyone who knows me may find this hard to believe, but my goal is not to accumulate a pile of obligations, projects or commitments that would keep me waking up every morning feeling like I’m back in the classroom. Believe me, I’m trying to be very selective in what I say ‘yes’ to.
One of the women has a full time job caring for her husband, with very little time to herself. However, she offered that the world needs the poets and hermits. Well, I’m neither of those, but I was serious when I told her that I thought it a good thing that there are people out there ‘holding the space’ for those who can’t or don’t want to lead a life of silence, solitude and simplicity.
In fact, that’s one of the purpose of this blog. I want people to know that there are others out there, specifically me, holding the balance so that the world won’t topple over with too much busyness. My hope is that everyone will grab a little nugget of their own cottage-by-the-sea time.
These teacher friends are retired now but leading active lives. Well, everyone but me, who is consciously trying to lead a rather inactive, or should I say, simple life. Anyone who knows me may find this hard to believe, but my goal is not to accumulate a pile of obligations, projects or commitments that would keep me waking up every morning feeling like I’m back in the classroom. Believe me, I’m trying to be very selective in what I say ‘yes’ to.
One of the women has a full time job caring for her husband, with very little time to herself. However, she offered that the world needs the poets and hermits. Well, I’m neither of those, but I was serious when I told her that I thought it a good thing that there are people out there ‘holding the space’ for those who can’t or don’t want to lead a life of silence, solitude and simplicity.
In fact, that’s one of the purpose of this blog. I want people to know that there are others out there, specifically me, holding the balance so that the world won’t topple over with too much busyness. My hope is that everyone will grab a little nugget of their own cottage-by-the-sea time.